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The Atlanta Braves are heading into the season with a few questions. What once looked like a deep, above-average lineup has become a bit more complicated due to injuries, Jurickson Profar, and other reasons.
Simply put, the Braves might need to fix that.
An idea to do so was pitched by Mark Morales-Smith of SI, who proposed a deal that would see the Braves make a deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates that would move second baseman Ozzie Albies for Oneil Cruz.
“The most important part of this trade for the Braves is the versatility Cruz brings. They let DH Marcell Ozuna leave in free agency, shortstop Ha-Seong Kim suffered an injury that could hold him out until May, and outfielder Jurickson Profar is lost for the season due to a second positive PED test. While Cruz has been playing centerfield, he also has experience as a shortstop. The Braves now have holes in their roster for the start of the season, and Cruz could fill them.
“Nacho Alvarez can replace Albies at second, while Cruz can fill in at shortstop if needed, and rotate in the outfield and DH with Mike Yastremski and Ronald Acuna Jr, to give them off days in the field, which is key for Acuna, who has dealt with two torn ACLs in recent years,” he wrote.
While Cruz has been playing center field for Pittsburgh, he also has experience at shortstop earlier in his career. He’s not the best defender up the middle, but could be serviceable when needed.
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