Yasiel Puig tests positive, won't sign with Braves for now

The Braves will wait to decide whether to again pursue outfielder Yasiel Puig

The announcement came just minutes after finding out Freddie Freeman was back on the field at Truist Park. One player was back from COVID-19, while another player who we thought was on his way to joining the Braves was staying away.

Yasiel Puig's deal with the Atlanta Braves hinged on him not testing positive for COVID-19, but that's exactly what happened. Puig and the Braves learned Friday morning he had tested positive, and for now, the Braves will not sign the free agent outfielder.

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— Yasiel Puig (@YasielPuig) July 17, 2020

With the possibility of Freeman not being ready, and with Nick Markakis opting out for this season, the Braves were concerned they needed another bat for the lineup. Even though those two are both left-handed hitters and Puig hits right-handed, Puig's career batting average against right-handed pitchers is 30 points higher than what he has done againset left-handed pitchers.

Now with Freeman on track to possibly start the season with the Braves next Friday, the fact the Braves aren't signing Puig now may not be as big of an issue. However, when Puig tests negative and is eligible to play, perhaps the Braves will revisit possibly signing the veteran outfielder.

The Braves may not need Puig if the offense is doing well early on. However, there is no doubt having Puig on the roster would provide the Braves with great depth and another option for the designated hitter. 

It shouldn't be a surprise that someone who licks his bat has the virus. But Puig said in his statement he is asymptomatic, so hopefully he will be healthy and be ready to go in a few weeks. 

Here's one vote for the Braves to sign him when he's again ready. This 60-game regular season is going to be a sprint, and you don't know if you'll have more positive COVID-19 tests that could impact your roster. Puig would provide tremendous depth and give the Braves another solid bat for the starting lineup.

Puig has averaged 19 home runs per season in his seven-year MLB career, and his 162-game average is 25 home runs per season. Hard to imagine that type of bat not helping the Braves in this shortened campaign.

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