ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JULY 13: Manager Brian Snitker #43 of the Atlanta Braves looks on during the first intrasquad game of summer workouts at Truist Park on July 13, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Braves need reinforcements in the outfield.
The Atlanta Braves have had several players be sent with positive COVID-19 tests this month. Freddie Freeman, who has since recovered, got so bad it caused Nick Markakis to opt out of playing the season.
That left a hole in the outfield that was seemingly filled by Yasiel Puig. Yet it turned out he also tested positive before actually signing a deal and the Braves are once again seeking outfield help. Don’t forget top prospect Cristian Pache is dealing with an ankle sprain, making the need that much more glaring.
Braves need outfield help soon
There are not too many amazing options on the market. Puig was that and now he is in quarantine.
The most intriguing player available is Carlos Gonzalez. The three-time All-Star is only 34 years old and was in the Seattle Mariners organization before being let go in June. He last made an All-Star Game in 2016 and his production sure has dropped since then.
However, “CarGo” would not be relied upon as a key fixture in the lineup. This would be a low-risk move to snag a veteran player who has had past success. He is also a three-time Gold Glove winner with a career .843 OPS. It is easy to slander Gonzalez based on his past few seasons, but 2019 was essentially a wash with limited action.
After Gonzalez is where the choices get even tougher. Two players the Braves could take a chance on are Rajai Davis and Ezequiel Carrera.
Davis signed a deal to play in Mexico this year, only for that season to be cancelled. The Braves could add him as a great depth option who is also a great base-stealer at the age of 39. He can play all three outfield positions and has a career .311 on-base percentage. Having Davis as a late-game replacement, even with universal DH rules, makes the Braves a more dynamic team.
The same goes for Carrera. This would be the biggest wild card move of the three. The outfielder spent 2019 on the independent circuit after a few failed attempts to earn a major league job.
Carrera would be more of a reserve option. However, his .324 career on-base percentage is nothing to scoff at and he also has a respectable .265 career batting average. At least getting the veteran on the taxi squad would allow the Braves to see what they have on a minimum deal.