This post season in my opinion exposed the San Diego Padres that they are in use of another power left handed bat.

Outside of Juan Soto the power production from the left handed side seemed unreliable when Jake Cronenworth or Trent Grisham aren’t streaking.

Via free agency, the perfect candidate appeared available to yellow and brown. That LHH bat is none other than Joc Pederson.

Ok, I know. But, hear me out.

Pederson was an all-star in 2021 and a starter to be exact. Last season with the San Francisco Giants Pederson slashed .274/.353/.521 with 23 home runs and 70 RBIs. Only one Padres player posted those kind of numbers and he’s an MVP candidate in Manny Machado.

Adding anyone nicknamed Joctober would be an excellent add to the Padres considering how close they were this postseason.

Why is it unlikely?

Well, the San Francisco Giants in an unlikely move, slapped the qualifying offer to Pederson. The qualifying offer will cost the Giants $19.65 million towards the 2023 season.

This is Pederson’s third free agency and this is the first time he was offered the qualifying offer.

In 2021, Pederson signed a one year $7 million deal with the Chicago Cubs.

In 2022, Pederson signed a one year $6 million deal with the San Francisco Giants.

Despite a World Series in 2020 (mickey mouse) and 2021 Pederson didn’t break the $10 million mark. Which is where I thought he’d be this offseason. If that were case, Pederson would’ve fell in a market the Padres felt comfortable.

The Padres will definitely have two power righties in Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. But, I think it would be a mistake to enter the season with Jake Cronenworth as your second power lefty hitter. I like Cronenworth but his slugging has dropped all three seasons and finished below .400 slugging last season.

But if they don’t add another LHH, hopefully Jake can prove me wrong.