Atlanta Braves didn’t take long to replace outfielder Nick Markakis, who previously opted out of the 2020 MLB season due to coronavirus concerns. According to CBS Sports’ Danny Vietti, Braves snapped up veteran Yasiel Puig from the free-agent market as his replacement.
The deal will reportedly be finalized after Puig undergoes physical in next couple of days. The financial terms remain undisclosed so far.
Puig split 2019 between Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians, finishing the season with .267 batting average, 24 home runs, 84 RBI, and 19 stolen bases. He was the most notable name left available in free agency.
In the past couple of months, Yasiel Puig received offers from number of teams, including Miami Marlins and Baltimore Orioles, but turned them all down as unsatisfying. However, Braves came with a big enough number while Puig was probably also attracted by the team’s postseason ambitions.
Puig spent the majority of his MLB career with Los Angeles Dodgers, playing 712 games for the franchise from 2013 and 2018. In 2014, he had his lone All-Star appearance after he posted .296 batting average with 16 home runs and 69 RBIs.
Puig’s career stats include .277 batting average, 132 homers, and 415 RBIs.
