For seven seasons while with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Joc Pederson was viewed as the enemy by San Francisco Giants fans. Now after signing a one-year, $6 million deal with the reigning NL West champions, he sure will fulfill a childhood dream of being cheered by the Giants faithful while playing at Oracle Park.
Pederson entered free agency following a half-season run with the Atlanta Braves. He stamped his name in Braves team history and earned himself a second consecutive World Series ring after his heroics in the team’s postseason run.
Overall, Pederson viewed that a homecoming to the Bay Area to play for his childhood team was the best move for him at this stage in his career.
“It's part of the business, you continue to move on,” Pederson said at Giants spring training. “This was the best spot for me and my career right now.
“I'm excited to be here and I'll continue to hopefully add to the culture and chemistry that they have.”
Pederson did not necessarily celebrate the Giants’ triumphant run of winning three World Series titles in five years in the past decade. For one, he was months removed from being drafted by the Dodgers in the 2010 MLB Draft when the Giants won the World Series in 2010.
Still, Pederson well recognizes that anything can happen for the Giants in an even year.
“I do know that it's 2022, and it's an even year,” Pederson said. “Takin' an educated guess that we've got a good chance to win the World Series.”
Pederson is expected to take hold of the designated hitter role for the Giants, although playing time in the outfield may periodically be on the horizon for him as well.
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