Tuesday Rockpile: Should the Colorado Rockies sign Joc Pederson?

Colorado Rockies news and links for Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Clearly, we’re at a slow time in the MLB offseason, a fact true for most teams, but especially the Colorado Rockies, who have done very little, save sign a couple of MiLB contracts and make a low-profile trade. Indeed, Kris Bryant’s Lamborghini has gotten more attention than the offseason Colorado Rockies.

Plus, there is zero (none, nada, zip) chance that Juan Soto or any other high-profile free agents will be spending the next part of their career at 20th and Blake, so that avenue of speculation is also unavailable to us.

Last week, however, FanGraph’s Jon Becker asked followers to submit potential MLB lineups to game out. Here’s one that caught my attention, posed by Dodgers fan Josh Thomas:

I have some disagreements with the lineup (more on that in a minute), but I’m intrigued by the approach and thought it would be interesting to game this one out, starting with the wisdom of signing Joc Pederson and then turning to this potential lineup.

Seriously, Joc Pederson?

First, he’s been making a tour of NL West teams, having been part of the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and, most recently, Arizona Diamondbacks, who signed him in 2024 to a one-year, $9/5 million contract. Only Coors Field and Petco Park are missing on that list of home ballparks. Second, he’s been a productive DH.

Last season, he was worth 2.9 rWAR, slashing .275/.393/.515. with an OPS+ of 151. (His career average is 118.) He also hit 23 home runs.

The Diamondbacks were selective and used Pederson primarily against right-handed pitching (158 PA). In 335 plate appearances against righties, Pederson hit 22 homers and slashed .281/.392/.531 for a 923 OPS (158 OPS+).

He was also a clubhouse leader for a young D-backs team. Back in late March, D-backs manager Torey Lovullo was clear that Pederson had made a seamless transition into the clubhouse, telling Bailey Leasure of Arizona Sports, “He’s fit into this clubhouse and culture more than we’d ever hoped. . . . He’s been a student of the game and a great teacher of the game. I can’t say enough good things about Joc.”

Joc Pederson does nothing by halves, whether it’s wearing pearls in Atlanta or competing in Mike Trout’s fantasy football league.

Oddly enough, Coors Field has not been a positive environment for Pederson. In 2024, he slashed an anemic .143/.200/.143 in Denver. Over the course of his career, Pederson has played 143 games at Coors Field (475 PA) and slashed .143/.200/.143 (99 OPS+). So, it’s not terrific.

MLB Trade Rumors, which is usually pretty good in these matters, predicts a two-year, $24 million contract for Pederson, which is clearly going to be too much for a Rockies team promising a season of austerity. He also has a history of playing on winning teams, which is probably not going to be the 2025 Colorado Rockies.

For a number of reasons, then, although the idea is interesting, Joc Pederson seems like a poor fit in terms of providing a DH for the Rockies.

What about that projected lineup?

Becker’s lineup I found intriguing though I’d make a few changes.

First, I’m agnostic about Ezequiel Tovar hitting leadoff. Perhaps he’ll work something out in the offseason to cut down on that 28.8% K%, which ties him for sixth highest in MLB. But maybe.

Michael Toglia as the clean-up hitter? Yes, please.

I would take Kris Bryant out of right field (because the Rockies will need to reduce the potential for injury) and instead move him to the DH spot and platoon him with a left-handed hitter (à la Jake Cave but with power) who can also provide some outfield relief.

What happens with Brendan Rodgers remains to be seen, but I do not expect to see Sean Bouchard start the season with the Rockies. Right now, I would give that spot to Jordan Beck over Bouchard, but it’s very possible that he begins 2025 in Albuquerque.

For me, what happens with the catchers is the most interesting question as the Rockies construct their 2025 lineup. I suspect they intended to bring back Jacob Stallings, but given the exceptional 2024 season he had, it’s very possible he will have offers elsewhere.

And I do not expect Bud Black to manage a lineup with two inexperienced catchers. Doing so would be out of character for him.

Instead, I think the Rockies will sign, if not Stallings, then another veteran catcher and begin the season with Goodman as backup while Romo starts in Albuquerque.

Unanswered questions

For me, then, I think I have three roster construction questions at this point:

• Which veteran player will the Rockies sign?
• Who will be signed for the veteran catcher?
• How will they find an experienced closer?

I look forward to learning your thoughts in the comments.

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I realize the Gold Glove ceremony was forever-ago, but I wanted to take a moment to appreciate Ezequiel Tovar and Brenton Doyle picking up their hardware:

Let’s do this again next year.

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2025 ZiPS projections: Colorado Rockies | FanGraphs

Last week, Dan Szymborski dropped his first ZiPS projections for the Rockies, and while it’s not awesome, there may be some daylight creeping over the rebuild horizon.

8 prospects who stood out in the AFL Championship Game | MLB.com

Evan Justice, Ryan Ritter, and Skyler Messenger all get recognized here for their play in a game that saw the Salt River Rafters win an Arizona Fall League Championship.

All of the 2024-2025 free agents, position by position | MLB.com

Here’s a list of free agents arranged by position. This may be helpful as we try to game out what the Rockies have in mind for their 2025 roster.

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