Atlanta Braves: Why Joc Pederson is a Great Trade Target For Atlanta

The off-season is dragging on with little to talk about for Atlanta Braves fans, waiting impatiently for Atlanta to make a move.  Could trading for Joc Pederson be the move that finally breaks the off-season silence?

Joc Pederson makes a lot of sense for an Atlanta Braves team who already has plenty of right-handed options in the outfield and off the bench. Pederson’s splits are concerning and would require the Braves have a platoon option.

Still, Pederson fits the Braves mold and could be a great addition for the right price.  Pederson is a powerful outfielder with a good glove and an inability to hit left-handed pitching with a career average below .200 against lefties.

This inability is part of what makes Pederson a realistic trade acquisition if the Braves choose. With right-handed outfielders already on the roster, the Braves could opt to platoon Pederson and hope he overachieves in 2019.

Pederson hit .248 last season, not exactly lighting it up but still, he was a valuable piece for the Dodgers. He hit 25-homers and had an on-base percentage of .321 for the season.

If Atlanta were to trade for Pederson he would benefit from a hitter-friendly park and facing fewer expectations then he has with the Dodgers.

Pederson may not be the first answer for the Braves but he is one that makes sense and would allow Atlanta more money to spend on their rotation and bullpen.

This scenario would give Atlanta a starting outfielder while still allowing them to spend the majority of their remaining money on adding a top of the rotation starter.

Pederson would likely slot into the middle of the lineup offering a power option after the first three in the Braves order.

Pederson to Atlanta may be a fallback option, but it is a good one that would improve the Braves roster and give them more depth for the season to come.