The Chicago Cubs Trade Veteran Outfielder Joc Pederson to the Atlanta Braves

Posted by DavidGreen
Jul 16, 2021

Introduction

On Thursday, July 15th, 2021 the Atlanta Braves have acquired the veteran outfielder and reigning Major League Baseball World Series champion, Joc Pederson, from the Chicago Cubs in a trade the two teams announced. In exchange for the for Pederson the Chicago Cubs received Bryce Ball, a prospect that plays first base in the minor leagues at the moment.

Joc Pederson’s 2021 MLB Season

The 29 – year – old Pederson has accumulated 11 home runs and an OPS of .718 in the 73 games that Joc has played for the Chicago Cubs during the 2021 MLB season. Over the last Major League Baseball offseason, the Chicago Cubs signed the former Los Angeles Dodgers’ outfielder to a 1 – year contract worth approximately $4.5 million. That deal included a $10 million mutual option as well as a $2.5 million buyout.

The Atlanta Braves are Buyers Looking to Make the 2021 MLB Playoffs

This agreement comes about a week or so after the Atlanta Braves young and explosive superstar outfielder, Ronald Acuna Jr., tore his ACL in his right knee just several days ago in a game. Acuna Jr. will be sidelined for at least the remainder of the 2021 MLB season and possibly into next year too.

The focused and dangerous Atlanta Braves begin the second half of the 2021 Major League Baseball season only 4 games behind the first – place New York Mets in the National League East division on the MLB. The Braves are just one game under .500 at the moment. The Atlanta Braves have been dealing with an extraordinary number of serious injuries throughout the first half of the year as the torn ACL to Acuna Jr. is just their latest setback of this troubling season for Atlanta who many are saying have been underperforming throughout the first half of the 2021 MLB season.

The Chicago Cubs are Sellers Trying to Rebuild

On the other hand, the Chicago Cubs are just starting to subtract from their third - place in the National League Central team roster in an attempt to rebuild. The Chicago Cubs currently possess a wide variety of ball players on their team right now that are set to hit the free agent market after this season ends so look for the Chicago Cubs to make even more trades for young and talented prospects prior to the July 30th, 2021 MLB trade deadline. Some of their other notable soon to be free agents include outstanding baseball players such as first baseman Anthony Rizzo, their third baseman / outfielder / first baseman Kris Bryant, their shortstop Javier Baez, and the closing relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel.

Background on Bryce Ball

Bryce Ball was originally a 24th – round draft pick for the Atlanta Braves back in the 2019 Major League Baseball draft. He has compiled an on base percentage of .377 over the 2 professional baseball seasons that Ball has spent in the minor leagues. According to ESPN's Kiley McDaniel Bryce is a solid prospect that exhibits "huge exit velocities" but Bryce has some issues with making contact at times and is prone to striking out a lot. Hopefully for the Chicago Cubs Ball will turn out to be a dependable and productive member of the big – league ball club in the near future.

Joc Pederson’s Baseball Career Achievements, Honors, and Awards

World Series Champion (2020)
MLB All – Star (2015)

Current MLB Standings (as of Thursday, July 15th, 2021)

American League East

Boston Red Sox 55 – 36 0 Games Behind

Tampa Bay Rays 53 – 37 1.5 Games Behind

Toronto Blue Jays 45 – 42 8 Games Behind

New York Yankees 46 – 43 8 Games Behind

Baltimore Orioles 28 – 61 26 Games Behind

American League Central

Chicago White Sox 54 – 35 0 Games Behind

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Cleveland Indians 45 – 42 8 Games Behind

Detroit Tigers 40 – 51 15 Games Behind

Minnesota Twins 39 – 50 15 Games Behind

Kansas City Royals 36 – 53 18 Games Behind

American League West

Houston Astros 55 – 36 0 Games Behind

Oakland Athletics 52 – 40 3.5 Games Behind

Seattle Mariners 48 – 43 7 Games Behind

Los Angeles Angels 45 – 44 9 Games Behind

Texas Rangers 35 – 55 19.5 Games Behind

National League East

New York Mets 47 – 40 0 Games Behind

Philadelphia Phillies 44 – 44 3.5 Games Behind

Atlanta Braves 44 – 45 4 Games Behind

Washington Nationals 42 – 47 6 Games Behind

Miami Marlins 39 – 50 9 Games Behind

National League Central

Milwaukee Brewers 53 – 39 0 Games Behind

Cincinnati Reds 48 – 42 4 Games Behind

Chicago Cubs 44 – 46 8 Games Behind

St. Louis Cardinals 44 – 46 8 Games Behind

Pittsburgh Pirates 34 – 56 18 Games Behind

National League West

San Francisco Giants 57 – 32 0 Games Behind

Los Angeles Dodgers 56 – 35 2 Games Behind

San Diego Padres 53 – 40 6 Games Behind

Colorado Rockies 40 – 51 18 Games Behind

Arizona Diamondbacks 26 – 66 32.5 Games Behind

Odds to Win the MLB 2021 World Series

According to Bovada sportsbook below are the odds to win the MLB 2021 World Series as of Thursday, July 15th, 2021. Currently the Atlanta Braves have the overall 13th highest odds to win it all for this exciting 162 game regular season of Major League Baseball in addition to the 2021 MLB playoffs.

Team	Odds
Los Angeles Dodgers	+350
Houston Astros	+500
Chicago White Sox	+700
San Diego Padres	+700
New York Mets	+900
Boston Red Sox	+1000
San Francisco Giants	+1000
Milwaukee Brewers	+1200
Tampa Bay Rays	+1200
Oakland Athletics	+1800