Outfielder Joc Pederson has been traded from the Chicago Cubs to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for minor league first baseman Bryce Ball. The 29-year-old left-hander is batting .230 this season for the Cubs with an OPS of only .718. This is mainly due to tendonitis in his wrist that produced terrible numbers in April. Joc batted to a .137/.262/.235 slash line in April, but caught fire in May. In May, Pederson amassed a .314/.365/.477 slash line that amounted to a .841 OPS. But, Pederson’s numbers began to fall again in June and July for the Cubs. In July, Joc only has a .207 average and .568 OPS.
Joc signed a one-year deal with the Cubs after playing seven years for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Dodger fans loved Joc but he reportedly wanted more playing time than he was earning in Los Angeles. Joc batted to a .230/.336/.470 slash line for the Dodgers with an OPS of .806. With the Braves losing Ronald Acuna Jr. for the remainder of the season, it seems as though they may be shoring up a weakness in the outfield with the trade. Pederson can play every outfield position.
Pederson has hit as many as 36 home runs and has walked as many as 92 times in a season. If he can regain the form that allowed him to do either of those two things, the Braves could utilize someone like Joc. But, keep in mind that Pederson’s contract is only for one year. So, don’t expect him to do much more than to fill a void in the outfield.
Ball Traded to Chicago for Joc Pederson
Bryce Ball has batted to a .208/.362/.405 slash line for the Single-A Rome this season. The 23-year-old first baseman has six home runs, 31 runs batted in, 13 doubles, one triple, and 42 walks versus 58 strikeouts in 168 at-bats, which combines for an OPS of .767. This is Ball’s second season in the minor leagues and is a down year from 2019. Ball did not play in the shortened 2020 season.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
Players Mentioned:
Joc Pederson, Ronald Acuna Jr., Bryce Ball
