As Cubs trade Joc Pederson, heres what he means to the Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves
have acquired outfielder Joc Pederson from the Chicago Cubs who are battling 13
losses in 15 games before the All-Star break. In exchange, the Cubs have
received Bryce Ball, a minor league baseman.

Reports indicate that
no money exchanged hands. So, the Atlanta Braves seem to be absorbing the
entire $1.84MM remaining of Pederson’s 4.5MM salary.

Also Read | Cubs trade Pederson to Braves in exchange for minor league baseman

Pederson had signed a
one-year contract with the Cubs ahead of the 2021 season. He posted a 0.230
batting average scoring 11 home runs, 39 RBI’s and 11 doubles in 73 games for
the team.

Pederson addresses a
clear need for the Braves after Atlanta superstar Ronald Acuna Jr had to stay
out of the season due to an ACL injury. Despite Pederson’s center field
experience, the Braves are more likely to deploy him as a corner outfielder.

With Pederson handling
left or right field on a regular basis and Guillermo Heredia handling the center
field, the Braves will be able to move between Orlando Arcia, Ehire Adrianza,
Ender Inciarte and Abraham Almonte for the other corner spot.

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Pederson had been an above-average
bat for most of his seven seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Prior to the
2020 campaign, he was dealt to the LA Angels. During the Dodgers’ postseason
run, Pederson posted a 0.991 OPS over 37 plate appearances, thereby providing a
happy ending after a struggle (.681 OPS in 138PA) of a regular season.

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Some type of right-handed
hitting option may still be necessary to complement Pederson for he has a
modest .271/.348/.339 slash line in 66 PA against left-handed pitching this
season.

Pederson could be in
the line-up when the Braves play Tampa Bay on Friday night. The lefty-batting
slugger played for Los Angeles in the postseason in each of the six previous
years, batting .382 with two home runs in 16 games in the Dodgers’ pursuit of
the World Series title in 2020.