Padres could look to former Dodgers rival to fill DH void in free agency

The San Diego Padres roster looks quite different at the moment. Though it's still very early in the offseason and the Friar faithful fully expect president of baseball operations A.J. Preller to make some additions, looking at the potential lineup is not going to inspire much confidence.

Sure, the likes of Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. will be back next season, but Jurickson Profar, Kyle Higashioka, and Donovan Solano are all free agents. Though a reunion with at least one, if not all three, is certainly possible, the production that trio put up in 2024 will definitely gain the attention of other Major League Baseball executives.

With that in mind, the Friars may be forced to look outside the organization in order to bolster the lineup heading into the 2025 season. Designated hitter could unquestionably be an area Preller looks to address this offseason, and former Los Angeles Dodgers' slugger Joc Pederson would make a lot of sense.

Padres could look to former Dodgers rival Joc Pederson to fill DH void in free agency

Pederson has played for nearly every NL West team during his career, so it only makes logical sense for the 32-year-old to make a stop in San Diego. Pederson starred for the Dodgers from 2014-2020, spent two seasons in San Francisco (2022 and 2023), and was part of the Arizona Diamondbacks' roster last year.

Pederson is on the free agent market once again. MLB Trade Rumors predicts Pederson would be able to land a two-year, $24 million contract, which would suit the Padres' payroll quite nicely. While some Pads fans would much prefer to see Profar return next season, the left fielder's market value could be much higher.

Profar had an All-Star season in 2024, but Pederson's numbers over the past three seasons are a bit more impressive. Profar posted a .755 OPS from 2022-2024 with an OPS+ of 109, while Pederson's OPS during that three-year stretch reached .850 with a 137 OPS+. The one drawback, of course, is Pederson's lack of defensive prowess.

But with both Profar and Solano on the open market, Preller could fill the void at DH with Pederson's bat and allow Luis Arráez and Jake Cronenworth to man the right side of the infield while Xander Bogaerts takes over for Ha-Seong Kim at shortstop.

Pederson rejected his $14 million mutual option this offseason, so pinning down a number for the veteran slugger could be somewhat tricky. But Pederson's familiarity with the NL West and .923 OPS against right-handers in 2024 make him a prime target for San Diego this winter. If Preller is looking for a DH-only option this offseason, there won't be too many better than Pederson.

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