Chicago Cubs: Trade grades for every move following a hectic deadline

Chicago Cubs open selling by shipping left fielder Joc Pederson down to Atlanta

The Cubs opened their fire sale well before the deadline when they shipped Joc Pederson off to Atlanta for power-hitting first baseman Bryce Ball. Pederson had some memorable moments in Chicago but was rather inconsistent, as well. He was slashing .230/.300/.418 at the time of the trade, and considering he was certainly not in the team’s long-term plans, he was a prime trade candidate.

The Cubs opted not to wait around and made a move before the All-Star Break was even over. Bryce Ball, who I actually wrote about the Cubs potentially acquiring before, is a prototypical three true outcome player, with eye-popping 70-grade raw power (20-80 scale) according to Fangraphs, and great plate discipline. Fangraphs rates Ball as the Cubs’ 24th best prospect, and while his numbers aren’t very good at the moment, it’s good to exercise patience for the time being.

Fangraphs gives Ball an FV of 40+, but that could change over time. Ball has the potential to grow into a potential platoon first baseman or a power bat off the bench. Either way, Ball is overall a solid haul for a rental platoon left fielder in Pederson.

Grade: B