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Atlanta Braves outfielder Joc Pederson is now a free agent after he declined his mutual option for the 2022 season Thursday per a report by ESPN.com. Pederson was one of 10 players in the report that declined options and entered the free agent field.
The move wasn’t unexpected. Pederson played a big part in the Braves late season run to the top of the NL East and eventually, a World Series crown. He originally signed a free agent deal with the Cubs last February on a one-year, $7 million contract that included a $10 million mutual option and a $2.5 million buyout. The Braves acquired him right after the All-Star break in exchange for first base prospect Bryce Ball.
Pederson appeared in 64 games with the Braves during the regular season hitting .249/.325/.428 with eight doubles and seven home runs. He had two big pinch-hit home runs in the NLDS against the Brewers but was just 9-for-44 with three home runs in the postseason overall.