MLB trade deadline: Braves take on Joc Pederson with Cubs to replace Ronald Acuña Jr.

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Chicago Cubs have started selling the trading deadline fires. Both teams announced that the club had replaced outside player Jock Pederson with the Atlanta Braves, becoming the first baseman to be Bryce Bull. Pederson will help replace Ronald Acuna Jr., who suffered a knee injury at the end of last season.

Pederson, 29, has hit 0.230/.300/.418 with 11 points at home this season, including .218/.285/.442 against the Right. For his career, left-footed Pederson has a .236/.343/.495 hitting streak against the right and a weak .203/.278/.314 hitting streak against the left. He has spent most of his career in the left field.

The Braves are currently without Acuña and also Marcel Ozuna, who came out with a finger injury and is awaiting an investigation under MLB’s domestic violence policy. After Acuña’s injury, Atlanta was looking at a mix of Ayer Adrianza, Abraham Almonte, Orlando Archea, Guillermo Heredia, and Ender Insert on the field.

Atlanta went into the All-Star break with a 44-45 record — they’ve not spent a single day over 0.500 this season — four games behind the Mets in the NL East. With Dodgers, Giants, and Padres so good, the division title is probably the only way the Braves can make it past the season. The Wild Card is not a backup plan.

Cubs have lost 19 of their last 25 games to get out of the NL Central race. It was expected to sell out by the deadline and Pederson’s trade assures that it will. Independent agents such as Javier Báez, Kris Bryant, Kyle Davies and Craig Kimbrel are likely to move before July 30.

Ball, 23, has scored 0.207/.354/.396 with six home runs in 53 top-flight games this season. RJ Anderson listed him as his prospect in Atlanta’s next system of the season, saying, “His ability to walk and spin should give him a chance in a major league future, and he’s probably notable for that.”

Pederson still owes about $2.2 million of his $4.5 million salary this season. Another $2.5 million will be paid if the Braves reject his $10 million mutual option after the season, which they expect to do.

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