After the dust settled in the Dodgers version of making it a “Blockbuster night,” it appears that the wheeling and dealing isn’t necessarily over for Andrew Friedman.
First let’s catch up.
The Dodgers did, in fact, acquire star outfielder Mookie Betts and pitcher David Price from the Red Sox. However, the deal turned out much different than originally planned. LA sent three players directly to Boston in exchange for Betts, Price, and cash.
Next, Friedman shipped pitcher Kenta Maeda over to Minnesota for pitcher Brusdar Graterol and more.
However, the reported trade of Joc Pederson and Ross Stripling to the Angels fell apart late Sunday night. While Stripling seems safe on the Dodgers roster for now, it appears that Pederson might not be as long for the roster.
The #Dodgers are planning to put outfielder Joc Pederson back on the trade block with the #Angels appearing to be the ones who pulled out of the original deal.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 10, 2020
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports that Los Angeles intends to put Pederson back on the trading block; likely once the Betts deal gets approved by the commissioner’s office. Moreover, while it seems that the Angels may have been the team that pulled out of the Pederson swap, there is a chance that a new version of that trade could come together early in spring training, if not earlier.
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Over in Anaheim, the Angels and new manager Joe Maddon would surely benefit from a veteran buffer in front of top prospect Jo Adell. And after letting Gold Glove winner Kole Calhoun walk in free agency, Pederson makes sense as a similar profile player to patrol the outfield in Orange County.
Additionally, the Dodgers may be inclined to move Pederson in a deal sooner rather than later. His $7.75M contract puts the club further over the collective bargaining tax threshold for 2020. Moreover, an awkward salary arbitration hearing undoubtedly drove an uncomfortable wedge between player and club.
For Los Angeles, position players are scheduled to report to Camelback Ranch by February 17. One week to see how things shake out.
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