Cardinals Rumors: Joc Pederson would be strong fit in St. Louis outfield

The Winter Meetings are only hours old, and the St. Louis Cardinals have been connected to one of the top free-agent outfielders.

The St. Louis Cardinals are looking for additional offensive firepower and have expressed some interest in free-agent outfielder Joc Pederson, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, with the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago White Sox among the other interested teams.

It is no surprise that the Cardinals are in on Pederson, who have been linked to the 28-year-old for most of the offseason. He is coming off a World Series victory with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and viewed as likely to leave in free agency for a more consistent role in an outfield.

What has limited Pederson’s playing time in the outfield is a lack of consistency. In 2015 and 2016, Pederson combined to hit 51 home runs in 288 games but did not average over .250 in either season (slashed .210/.346/.417 in 2015). And while he hit .249/.339/.538 with 36 home runs and 74 RBI in 2019, he managed to hit only .190/.285/.397 with seven home runs and 16 RBI in 121 at-bats in 43 games this past season.

The argument that Pederson and his agent are likely to make, of course, is that the inconsistent playing time and pandemic shortened season played a role in his struggles this year. He has a track record as a proven power hitter, so it is likely some team gives him the two-year, $18 million contract he is projected to earn in free agency by MLB Trade Rumors.

Pederson would be a strong addition for a Cardinals team in need of more production from the outfield. The only outfielder who appears to be a sure thing to be on the team in 2021 is Dylan Carlson, with the remainder of the group on uneven ground as president of baseball operations John Mozeliak looks to reshape his roster.