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Joc Pederson and Ross Stripling Have to Feel a Little Awkward at Dodgers Spring Training

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I can’t imagine what it must be like for Joc Pederson and Ross Stripling in the Dodgers clubhouse right now. On the one hand, they are staying with the only organization they have ever known, and don’t have to acclimate themselves to an entirely new organization. On the other hand, they now realize that like any other player in this league, they are expendable.

Like I said, the Dodgers are the only organization these guys have ever know. Stripling was drafted by them back in 2012 out of Texas A&M, and has spent the past four years in the Bigs, starting and making appearances out of the bullpen. Joc was drafted in 2011 out of high school, and has been with the big league club since 2014, and a staple in the starting lineup every year. Both of them have played significant roles for the Dodgers the past few years, making it all the more surprising that they had been dealt to the Angels.

But, it was for Mookie Betts and David Price. If it meant parting ways with a back-end starter and career .233 hitter, so be it. I was fine with it, too, if that means anything. But then the deal fell through, and the Dodgers were able to keep both Chicken Strip and Joc. From a career standpoint, it might’ve actually benefited Stripling and Pederson to be traded because they both would have been starters. The Angels’ lineup could have used Joc’s pop, and Stripling is a proven starter who would have been a nice addition to a rotation whose #1 is Andrew Heaney – yikes. But now, aside from them having more competition at their respective positions, they are on a team that was willing to get rid of them.

However, despite the slight awkwardness, both Pederson and Stripling are ready to move on.

They’re handling things the best way they can, and I’m sure could not be happier to still be on the Dodgers. As heavy favorites to make the World Series, it wouldn’t have been easy for them to go to a team like the Angels, who won’t be as competitive as the Dodgers this season. Sadly, now that they were on the trading block once, it’s likely that their names will come up throughout the season if the Dodgers choose to make some moves. And if the Dodgers were to deal away Pederson and/or Stripling and go on to win the World Series that would be completely devastating. But, professional sports is a business at the end of the day, and players need to come to terms with that. All Stripling and Pederson have to do is play well to keep their names off the trading block, and as tough as it may be, they can’t think about the Angels trade.

Rob Friedman has called things “awkward” as well, but management needs to continue to reassure them that it was necessary to get Mookie Betts and David Price – which it was. Plus, it seems like there are no hard feelings between Mookie and Joc…even though he is taking his spot. Gotta love the camaraderie!

 

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