Evaluating the Braves' options to replace Michael Harris II after his injury

When Atlanta Braves centerfielder Michael Harris II was pulled from Friday's matchup with the Rays with an apparent injury, it initially appeared somewhat minor as he walked of the field well enough and the injury was described as hamstring tightness. However, the postgame update on Harris' injury was anything but minor as manager Brian Snitker immediately indicated that Harris would need to go on the IL and that he was going to get an MRI on Saturday.

Given that we know Harris is going to be on the shelf for a while (and potentially a long while depending on the results of his MRI), that leaves the Braves treacherously low on outfielders as Atlanta was already without Ronald Acuna Jr. for the rest of the season after his knee surgery. Here are some of the options the Braves could entertain to replace him in the short-term and long-term.

The Braves' depth options in the outfield leave a lot to be desired

The biggest problem, beyond the fact that Harris is a budding star in the league and difficult to replace period, is that Harris is the Braves' primary centerfielder and that limits Atlanta's internal options significantly. He was replaced in the game by JP Martinez and he played reasonably well, but is probably best served as a 4th outfielder.

Other than Martinez, the Braves have the recently signed Brian Anderson on the 40-man roster who absolutely shouldn't play center which would probably mean Atlanta would have to move Adam Duvall to center if he was the choice. The only other option on the 40-man is Forrest Wall who is down in the minors right now. Wall does have experience playing center, is generally regarded as a good defender, and has an .820 OPS down at Triple-A Gwinnett. When it comes to the most straightforward roster moves, Wall is probably the one.

However, if the Braves want to look outside their 40-man roster, they have a couple more options. The team just signed Ramon Laureano a couple weeks ago and he also has experience playing center field, still has a cannon for an arm even though his bat hasn't been good for a few years, and has hit very well since joining the organization. Of note, Laureano was pulled from the middle of Gwinnett's game on Friday night which could indicate that he is very much in play as an option. Eli White is another option at Triple-A Gwinnett as well as he is having a decent year at the plate as well and has experience playing all over the outfield.

Atlanta may be forced to consider adding an outfielder at the trade deadline now

While much of this is dependent on the results of Harris' MRI on his hamstring, the Braves may be force to entertain a trade for an outfielder at the trade deadline as their internal options are decidedly not ideal. Fortunately, they should have plenty of options available to them if Harris is going to be out for a while.

The obvious and most exciting name here is Luis Robert Jr. who was already linked to the Braves as a potential suitor and he is a surefire centerfielder, but he has struggled thsi year and could be outside the Braves' comfort zone when it comes to putting together a trade package. The Angels' Taylor Ward could be an option if LA is willing to part with him, but he doesn't have a lot of experience in center. Randy Arozarena is another sexy choice if the Braves think they can cover center defensively and the Rays certainly have a history of trading guys before they cost real money, but he is having a down year and could cost more than he is worth.

Other than that, the outfield options to get in trade are much more speculative and may require the Braves to make some concessions and/or shifts defensively with Tommy Pham, Heston Kjerstad, and Mike Yastrzemski being possible, if flawed, options.

In short, the Braves should be able to find someone with a pulse to replace Harris if he needs to be out for a while, but Atlanta fans should be crossing their fingers and toes that his MRI provides some good news because most of their options to replace him come with some real problems.

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