Atlanta Braves: Reports indicate that the Atlanta Braves have come to an agreement with OF Yasiel Puig.
Atlanta Braves News: The Atlanta Braves have reportedly reached an agreement with Yasiel Puig and will be signing him for the 2020 season.
This news comes after RF Nick Markakis announced he would be sitting the season out due to concerns about the novel coronavirus.
Prior to the Puig news, the Braves still had solid outfield depth. The issue was, they were depending on guys with histories of streakiness to replace a model of consistency in Nick Markakis.
- Adam Duvall blasted 42 homers last year between Triple-A and the majors but over his six-year career, his OBP sits at a meager .292 with a below-average OPS+ of 96.
- In 2019, from July 7 on, Austin Riley was a worse hitter than Max Fried.
- Ender Inciarte is known for his golden glove, but injuries have plagued him the past two seasons. In fact, last year his sprint speed dropped and for the first time in his career, he actually posted negative defensive runs saved.
Cristian Pache and Drew Waters aren’t going to be trusted with the reins out of camp.
The truth about Markakis is he was going to play a major role this year. His ability to crush right-handed pitching and always put forth a good at-bat and a stellar on-base percentage will be sorely missed.
The Braves have too big of an opportunity to cross their fingers and hope that everything goes right for the guys they have. On the following pages we will address why the depth Puig provides is necessary for this strange season, how valued his consistency should be, his stellar production against RHP, and his attitude.