Trade Announcement: Braves Acquire World Series Hero For Outfield

The NL East Division is still up for grabs, and the Atlanta Braves are determined to stay in it despite losing superstar Ronald Acuna for the season, by trading for outfielder Joc Pederson from the Chicago Cubs.

Breaking: The Braves have traded for Cubs OF Joc Pederson, the team announced. pic.twitter.com/QMyNSphxWt
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 16, 2021

The Braves' outfield has been devastated this season, losing not only Acuna to a torn ACL, but also Marcell Ozuna to an ugly domestic violence incident. Atlanta sends minor leaguer Bryce Ball to the Cubs in return.

Pederson brings a ton of home run power to the Atlanta OF, despite a disappointing first half in Chicago. The Cubs are clearly waving the white flag, as had been reported, and this is undoubtedly just the first of many sell-off trades for them before the trade deadline on July 30th.

Ball is a 1B prospect, which could be an indication that the Cubs are concerned about their ability to re-sign Anthony Rizzo, as per Jim Bowden.

The Braves, meanwhile, come out of the break just 3.5 games back of the New York Mets in the NL East, and still hope to make a run.

Also, with 15 days until the deadline, the Braves could flip Pederson if he gets hot, their position worsens and another team sees him as a fit. Current playoff odds for ATL, per Fangraphs: 6.3 percent to win division, 7.5 percent to reach postseason. https://t.co/6CQ3qZJ7PZ
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 16, 2021

As noted by Ken Rosenthal, this is a win-win proposition for the Braves, who still have a marketable commodity in Pederson before the deadline if things fall apart for them in the next two weeks.