Cubs trade Pederson to Braves
Joc Pederson is the first Chicago Cubs player off the trading block.
The Cubs - widely expected to be one of the biggest sellers in the league leading up to the deadline - traded outfielder Joc Pederson to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for minor-league first baseman Bryce Ball, the teams announced Thursday.
Pederson will help fill the void left in Atlanta's outfield after Ronald Acuna Jr. suffered a season-ending knee injury before the All-Star break. He also gives the Braves some added pop from the left side to complement Freddie Freeman. While not a great defender, Pederson can hold his own in the outfield at all three spots and can also fill in at first base.
The Braves have acquired OF Joc Pederson from the Cubs.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 16, 2021
Braves outfielders not named Ronald Acuña Jr. have slashed .218/.304/.347 this season.
Atlanta ranks 29th in MLB in OPS from LF/CF. Only the Yankees have been worse there.
The 29-year-old is hitting .230/.300/.418 with 11 homers and 39 RBIs this campaign. Pederson joined the Cubs on a one-year contract in the winter after seven years with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Pederson's deal contains a $10-million mutual option for 2022 with a $2.5-million buyout.
At the time of the trade, MLB.com ranked Ball, 23, as Atlanta's No. 12 prospect. The Dallas Baptist product owns a .207/.354/.396 slash line with six home runs, 30 RBIs, and 40 walks in 53 games at High-A Rome this season.
The Braves are coming off a disappointing first half that saw the defending NL East champions enter the break one game below .500. But Atlanta appears to believe there's still a chance, as the club is just four games back of the New York Mets for first place.
"Right now, our focus is on adding," Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said after the trade, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Gabe Burns.