Yasiel Puig Finds New Home, Signs One-Year Deal With Braves
The major league baseball season, such that it is, is scheduled to begin next Thursday. We’ve had a summer full of discontent between owners and players in trying to hammer out a schedule, not to mention agreeing on the compensation involved between the sides. There have been players that have opted out, others, like the Orioles’ Ty Blach and Richie Martin, who have suffered injuries, and a lot of concern about where the Toronto Blue Jays may play their home games right now in light of the U.S./Canadian border closure being extended through August 21. That would make playing in Toronto a less than feasible proposition given that teams would have to quarantine for two weeks upon arriving.
One team that has dealt with opt-outs was the Atlanta Braves, who saw both Felix Hernandez and Nick Markakis make the decision to sit out the season. Of the two, the Markakis hit was more painful for the team as he has been a very effective outfielder for the last several years for Atlanta after coming over from Baltimore. According to sources, the Braves have found a suitable replacement for Markakis as the season start nears.
It’s been reported that Atlanta has come to terms on a one-year deal with slugging Cuban outfielder Yasiel Puig, pending a physical. He posted a .267 average with 30 doubles, two triples, 24 home runs and 84 RBI with 19 stolen bases in 26 attempts over 149 games last season. The year was split between Cincinnati and Cleveland as he was dealt shortly before the trade deadline in a three-team deal that also involved the San Diego Padres. Puig hit .297 in 49 games with the Indians, though his power seemed to disappear as he homered just twice in 182 at-bats with the Tribe after belting 22 in 373 at-bats over 100 games with the Reds.
In his career, Puig has hit .277 with 159 doubles, 21 triples, 132 home runs, 415 runs batted in and 79 stolen bases over the course of 861 games in the major leagues. He finished second in the 2013 NL Rookie of the Year voting to the late Marlins’ ace, Jose Fernandez, and was named to the All-Star Game in 2014. His 84 RBI last season marked a career-high, while he blasted a career-best 28 homers in 2017 while with the Dodgers. He boasts a strong arm, as evidenced by his league-leading 15 outfield assists in 2014. In addition, he led all NL right fielders with 10 outfield assists in 2018 and by taking part in four double plays.
The addition of Puig gives another quality outfielder in the mix, replacing the void created by Markakis. It’s likely that Ronald Acuna Jr. and Marcell Ozuna will see a heavy dose of action, either in the field or in the DH role. Puig could well step into the starting right field job that was vacated when Markakis opted out. If Brian Snitker wants to give him a breather from playing in the field, he could slot him at DH here and there as well. One thing that is certain is that the moping and being disinterested, which was an issue while he was with Los Angeles and may have been a factor in the trade that sent him to Cincinnati, won’t be tolerated.
This is a prime chance for Puig to show that he can be a team player and a valued contributor to a contending team. It also would set him up with a shot at a multi-year deal next season, either with Atlanta or somewhere else, with a chance to cash in. At 29, it’s a crossroads for Puig and the path he ends up taking will go a long way to determining how successful the rest of his career will be. He’d be wise to take advantage of the situation that has presented itself in Hotlanta.
