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CHICAGO – The Atlanta Braves acquired Joc Pederson in a trade with the Chicago Cubs on Thursday, strengthening their outfield after losing Ronald Acuna Jr. to a season-ending knee injury.
Atlanta sent minor-league first baseman Bryce Ball to Chicago for Pederson, who is hitting .230 with 11 homers and 39 RBIs in 73 games. Pederson, 29, spent his first seven seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers before signing with the Cubs in free agency in February.
The Braves are looking to return to the playoffs, but their quest for a fourth straight NL East title took a hit when Acuna tore the ACL in his right knee in Saturday’s 5-4 win over Miami.
Atlanta hit the all-star break in the division’s third, four games behind the New York Mets, who won first place.
Pederson could be in the lineup when the Braves return to the field Friday night against Tampa Bay. The left-hander at batting has played in the playoffs in each of the previous six years with Los Angeles, beating .382 with two homers in 16 games in the Dodgers’ race for the World Series title in 2020.
Atlanta assumes the remaining $ 1,935,484 of Pederson’s $ 4.5 million salary. The deal includes a $ 10 million mutual option with a $ 2.5 million buyout and allows Pederson to earn $ 125,000 each for 500, 525, 550 and 575 plaque appearances.
The Pederson deal could be the first in a long series for Chicago before the July 30 trade deadline. The Cubs lost 13 of 15 before the break, sending the team into sell mode after once atop the NL Central.
All-Stars Kris Bryant and closest Craig Kimbrel, along with infielders Javier Baez and Anthony Rizzo, are some of the best names that could come out of Chicago. Baez, Bryant and Rizzo are eligible for free agency after this season.
Ball, 23, was selected by Atlanta in the 24th round of the 2019 entry draft. The 6-foot-6 ball hit 0.207 with six homers and 30 RBIs in 53 games for High-A Rome this year.
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