Ross thinks Chicago Cubs lineup will rebound in full season
Chicago Cubs manager David Ross thinks his team’s biggest offensive stars will rebound over the course of a more conventional seasonMARCH 17, 2021 • Associated Press
JOC PEDERSON #4 - FIRST BASEMAN - TEXAS RANGERS
9 HR •
26 RBI •
.181 AVG
9 HR
26 RBI
.181 AVG
Bogaerts spring debut after shoulder woe, Tatis HR in return
Star shortstop Xander Bogaerts of the Boston Red Sox has made his spring training debut after being slowed by a sore right shoulderMARCH 13, 2021 • Associated Press
Adds two more homers Pederson went 3-for-3 with two solo home runs and three runs scored in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Rockies.
Impact The game wasn't at Coors Field, but Pederson performed like it was. The outfielder has been on a tear to begin spring training, as he now has five home runs and a 2.071 OPS through seven games. Pederson should play every day for the Cubs and has the chance to put up good numbers in a lineup that also features the likes of Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez and Willson Contreras.
MARCH 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Cole — and his dad — looking forward to return of fans
Gerrit Cole is looking forward to having his father at Yankee Stadium on opening day to watch him pitch in person in pinstripes for the first timeMARCH 11, 2021 • Associated Press
Hot Joc fitting in right away with Cubs SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Cubs manager David Ross headed out to pick up some to-go food on a recent evening this spring. As Ross was walking, som...
MARCH 11, 2021 • MLB.COM
Goes deep again Pederson went 2-for-3 with a double, a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Athletics.
Impact The 28-year-old is fitting in nicely with the Cubs, as he now has a robust 1.672 OPS and three home runs this spring in six games. Pederson is essentially replacing Kyle Schwarber in Chicago, and after a rough 2020, eyes are on him to return to the form that saw the lefty slugger hit 36 homers for the Dodgers in 2019.
MARCH 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Now in Chisox 'pen, Kopech makes debut after 2020 opt-out
Michael Kopech is getting used to his new relief role with the Chicago White SoxMARCH 10, 2021 • Associated Press
Arihara settles into 2nd start for Rangers, 3 solid innings
Kohei Arihara bounced back from a shaky spring training debut for the Texas Rangers, pitching three innings against the Chicago CubsMARCH 8, 2021 • Associated Press
Clubs second spring home run Pederson went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Brewers.
Impact Pederson is just 2-for-9 to begin spring training, but both of the hits have left the yard. That's pretty much par for the course with the outfielder, who batted just .190 last season but slugged seven home runs in 43 games. Pederson had a .249 average and 36 home runs in his last full season back in 2019. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect a great batting average in 2021, either, but the power should be there in Pederson's first season with the Cubs.
MARCH 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Seeing is believing: Bauer shuts eye, pitches shutout ball
What’s that piece of advice Little League coaches always tell their kid — keep your eye on the ball, rightMARCH 7, 2021 • Associated Press
Joc Pederson expects more freedom in left field in 2021 — and to earn his keep within the Chicago Cubs’ Gold Glove defense Joc Pederson is excited to have more freedom in left field and contribute to the vaunted Chicago Cubs defense.
MARCH 6, 2021 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM
Cactus League report: Lance Lynn can serve as a role model to young Chicago White Sox pitchers, and Joc Pederson on how his Cubs number is a tribute to Kobe Bryant Veteran pitcher Lance Lynn could serve as a good example for youngsters Michael Kopech and Garrett Crochet, Chicago White Sox manager Tony L...
MARCH 5, 2021 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM
Hits first spring home run Pederson went 1-for-2 with a walk and a two-run home run in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Mariners.
Impact Pederson hit his first home run of the spring and his first in a Cubs uniform. The 28-year-old outfielder batted cleanup, and he should slot into a prominent lineup spot during the regular season. The Cubs also sound committed to letting Pederson play every day and face lefties, which could help his counting stats but possibly act as a drain on his batting average if he struggles against southpaws.
MARCH 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Looks forward to playing daily Pederson said he is eager to take on an everyday role with the Cubs and face more left-handed pitching, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Impact While in Los Angeles, Pederson rarely faced lefties, registering an average of 54 plate appearances per season against southpaws between 2017 and 2019, and only 10 in the abbreviated 2020 campaign. However, Chicago manager David Ross has indicated that Pederson could play more frequently against lefties. This could help the 28-year-old approach the 151 games he played back in 2015, his second season in the majors.
FEBRUARY 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Pederson putting platoon label in past MESA, Ariz. -- Joc Pederson was on Field 1 at the Cubs' complex on Saturday morning, taking batting practice against one of Chicago's left-h...
FEBRUARY 27, 2021 • MLB.COM
Might bat against lefties Chicago manager David Ross said he could use Pederson against both righties and lefties this year, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Impact "The conviction he had and the belief he had in being good against both sides of pitchers is something that he sold me on," Ross said. "And I thought we had a great opportunity for him." Pederson mainly avoided lefties when he was in Los Angeles, and he has a career .576 OPS against southpaws, compared to an .849 OPS against righties. It sounds like the 28-year-old might not start the year in a platoon situation, but if he struggles against lefties, he could lose some at-bats to Jake Marisnick.
FEBRUARY 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Unlikely to lead off The Cubs are likely to use Ian Happ as their leadoff hitter to begin the season instead of Pederson, Tim Stebbins of NBC Sports Chicago reports.
Impact Pederson batted first 249 times during his seven seasons with the Dodgers, but Chicago manager David Ross said he's likely going to stick with Happ, who was the team's primary leadoff hitter last season. Pederson should still play regularly in left field, essentially replacing the departed Kyle Schwarber, and get plenty of opportunities to produce at the plate.
FEBRUARY 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Cubs' Hoyer to discuss futures with Bryant, Baez, Rizzo
Jed Hoyer plans to chat with Kris Bryant about his future during spring trainingFEBRUARY 16, 2021 • Associated Press
AP sources: Cubs agree to 1-year deal with OF Marisnick
The Chicago Cubs have added another outfielder, agreeing to a $1.5 million, one-year contract with Jake MarisnickFEBRUARY 11, 2021 • Associated Press
NL Central teams at the start of spring training
A team-by-team look at the National League Central entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catc...FEBRUARY 11, 2021 • Associated Press
5 things to know about new Chicago Cubs outfielder Joc Pederson, including his grilling prowess and how he followed his father’s major-league footsteps The Chicago Cubs hope Joc Pederson can help jump-start a lineup that finished below the major-league average for home runs in 2020. Here are...
FEBRUARY 10, 2021 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM
Cubs' Hoyer: Wrigley Field must be place for women to thrive
The Cubs might conduct more thorough background checks when deciding hires in the wake of sexual harassment accusations against former director of pro scouting Jared PorterFEBRUARY 8, 2021 • Associated Press
Chicago Cubs announce deals with OF Pederson, 2 pitchers
Joc Pederson has joined the Chicago Cubs, finalizing a $7 million, one-year contract with the NL Central championsFEBRUARY 5, 2021 • Associated Press
Rams want to join Lakers, Dodgers on LA's championship run
Los Angeles has become a city of champions again in an incredible October, and the Rams want to extend this winning feeling into FebruaryOCTOBER 29, 2020 • Associated Press
Sits against lefty Pederson will be on the bench for Game 6 of the World Series against the Rays on Tuesday, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Impact As usual, Pederson hits the bench with a lefty (Blake Snell) starting for the opposition. A.J. Pollock will be the left fielder Tuesday, with Will Smith serving as the designated hitter and Austin Barnes catching.
OCTOBER 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
