An argument against acting for Joc Pederson again

The Atlanta Braves could use some help outfield, but Joc Pederson wasn’t going to be the answer two years in a row.

Pederson was instrumental in Atlanta World Series run last season, but lightning rarely strikes twice. There are unfortunately several main reasons why Joc will not be able to repeat his magic for a second year in a row in the ATL.

The Braves have injury and productivity concerns at the corners of the outfield. Adam Duvall is out long-term, and Marcell Ozuna just shouldn’t be playing outfield defense every day. Pederson would sort of fix those problems.

But Pederson is hurt himself as he has just been put on the injured list with concussion-like symptoms. And as popular as he is in the Braves clubhouse, Joc has often been in the headlines this year for all the wrong reasons.

Just this week, Cubs manager David Ross gave him the double birds on national television (albeit as a joke), and earlier this season he was punched in the face over a fantasy football argument.

Braves can do better than Joc Pederson this time

Atlanta acquired Pederson last season in part because he was cheap — the Braves traded minor league first baseman Bryce Ball for Joc and his pearls. It would take a lot more this season.

At this point, the Braves might as well invest in a player with even more years on his contract. Ian Happ, for example, is under contract beyond this season and would come at a similar price. Ramon Laureano also has several arbitration years left on his deal, and Atlanta only has trading experience with Oakland this offseason.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, there’s no guarantee San Francisco will sell at all. Despite their recent struggles, the Giants are only four games away from a wild card berth. This is a team that won 107 games last year. Surely they have some struggle in them.

As great as the story is, trading for Pederson this time comes with some risk.