Braves trade with Cubs, add Pederson to outfield

The Atlanta Braves aren’t selling — at least not yet. They’re buying, and they made their first purchase Thursday night.

The team announced it had acquired veteran outfielder Joc Pederson from the Chicago Cubs. The Braves traded slugging first baseman prospect Bryce Ball for Pederson, who addresses the team’s need for outfield help. Pederson will play right field, replacing young superstar Ronald Acuña Jr., the twotime All-Star who tore his ACL during a game against the Miami Marlins last Saturday and will miss the rest of the season.

“We wanted to get at least an outfielder if we could with Ronald going down,” Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. “… Working through the All-Star break, you’re trying to get something done. There’s a lot of teams out there that are still in the hunt, still contending. And if there are things out there we can add, we’ll look to do it. I know we’ve had our challenges, but I think everyone in the division has. So this one made sense for us, and we jumped on it.”

Pederson, who played for the Chattanooga Lookouts as a minor leaguer, was with the Braves on Friday night, when they began the second half of the season by hosting the Tampa Bay Rays, but the 29-year-old from California did not start the game. Instead, Abraham Almonte was in right field.

The Cubs, after enduring an 11-game losing streak that pushed them far back in the National League Central Division, decided to sell, as multiple reports last week indicated they would. The Braves’ talks with the Cubs grew serious Monday and accelerated Tuesday as the MLB draft winded down. Anthopoulos said from the beginning, the Cubs were transparent with their intention to part with players.

After Acuña’s injury, and given how the season has gone for the injury ridden Braves, who have yet to have a winning record in 2021, there was thought the team could become a seller at the July 30 trade deadline. That could still become the case if they struggle, but Thursday’s move indicates they’ll first try to make a push.

The Braves entered the second half 44-45 and trailing the New York Mets by four games in the wide-open National League East. The trade market hasn’t yet taken shape — the next 10 days will dictate who does what, Anthopoulos acknowledged — but the Braves, as it stands now, aren’t planning to trade away veterans.

“Right now, our focus is on adding if we can,” Anthopoulos said. “Things can change at any time, that goes without saying. But our focus right now is, as banged up as we’ve been, is if we can add where it makes sense, we’ll certainly look to do it. We’re optimistic. We’re going to get more guys back from the (injured list), and that should only improve our club. But again, we have important games. Every game counts, and I think anytime we can strengthen the ballclub, we’re going to look to do it.”

Pederson was hitting .230 with 11 home runs and 39 RBIs in 73 games with the Cubs. He spent the previous seven seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, playing a role with two teams that eliminated the Braves from the postseason in October 2018 and 2020. Anthopoulos was familiar with Pederson after working with the Dodgers’ front office for two seasons before taking over the Braves.

“No doubt there’s a comfort level there,” Anthopoulos said. “He’s a high-energy guy, great clubhouse guy. Comes in with a smile on his face every day, loves to play. And he’s someone that when he gets hot, he can carry you. He hasn’t really had that hot streak yet (this year), but he’s certainly capable of doing that. He’s still young. And his raw power is as good as you’re going to find. So he’ll give you a good at-bat as well. He’ll also draw a walk. So for us to add someone like this, with all the injuries we’ve had and so many contending clubs, we’re glad to be able to do it.”

Pederson will add left-handed power to a decimated Braves lineup that’s missing Acuña, Marcell Ozuna and Travis d’Arnaud in the middle of its order. Pederson has always fared much better against right-handers than lefties. Pederson has played regularly this season, and Anthopoulos said his playing time will be decided by manager Brian Snitker.