The Atlanta Braves are heading into the offseason with starting pitching at the top of their priority list. However, another position that will require plenty of attention is left field. Atlanta has a significant hole to address after relying on utility man Mauricio Dubón as its primary left fielder for much of last season.
That need comes after the disappointing situation involving Jurickson Profar, who has missed more games than he has played for the Braves. His absences have largely been the result of multiple suspensions for performance-enhancing drugs.
“Atlanta Braves designated hitter Jurickson Profar is facing a 162-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug for the second time in the last year, sources told ESPN on Tuesday. Profar, 33, is the sixth player to receive a 162-game ban for PED use since Major League Baseball increased the penalty for two-time offenders to a full season in 2014. He will forfeit the entirety of his $15 million salary,” ESPN’s Jeff Passan wrote.
At this point, it appears unlikely that Profar will return next season after his repeated suspensions have put the organization in a difficult position.
“Profar certainly won’t be back in the clubhouse after performance-enhancing drug suspensions the last two years,” Braves reporter Mark Bowman wrote. “So finding a right-handed-hitting outfielder stands at the top of the must-do list.”
That leaves Atlanta searching for an outfielder to join Ronald Acuña Jr. and Michael Harris II. Sports Illustrated’s Roman Janeiro believes the Braves could take a chance on a veteran with plenty of upside in Luis Robert Jr.
“Before being placed on waivers by New York, he caught fire for a 19-game stretch in August. He hit .311 with six homers, including a two-homer game against his former team. That may be a small sample size, but it showed that Robert still has some juice in his bat. The athleticism is still there. The speed is still there. He is a natural center fielder who possesses the versatility to play all three outfield positions. Plus, he doesn’t turn 30 until August. That brings us to the price, which is really the point. His price has dropped, and while it’s a risk-and-reward call, he’s a much more frugal option compared to Arozarena or Suzuki. That would allow the Braves to keep money free for starting pitching,” Janeiro wrote.
There is plenty of potential upside to this move, as Robert is a talented hitter who can also provide strong defense. However, the biggest concern is his injury history, especially after a season in which he missed significant time.
Robert earned $20 million last season while playing for the New York Mets and Baltimore Orioles. Atlanta has shown a willingness to take chances on players looking to revive their careers, and that history could give the organization enough confidence to pursue another reclamation project.
Atlanta needs to add multiple starting pitchers, particularly with an eye toward the future. Finding an affordable outfield option could leave the organization with more money available to address its rotation. When Robert is healthy and playing at his best, he has the talent to compete with players such as Randy Arozarena and Seiya Suzuki.
The Braves have taken similar chances before, including their decision to give Tyler Mahle an opportunity after a difficult stretch. Josh Donaldson’s successful one-year run in Atlanta is another example of how a short-term investment in an established player can pay off.
If Robert can stay healthy and rediscover his best form, he could make an already dangerous Atlanta lineup even more threatening. An outfield featuring Acuña, Harris and Robert would also have the potential to provide elite defensive ability.
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