3 possible solutions in outfield for Braves after Ronald Acuna Jr. suffers season-ending injury
Ronald Acuna Jr. got the worst news possible after his early exit on Sunday, May 26. The reigning NL MVP will miss the entire season with a torn ACL, the second time such an injury has derailed a campaign for him. Fortunately, it was not the same knee the second time around, but it will significantly alter the Atlanta Braves' outlook.
However, it's still early and there's plenty of time for the franchise to find an alternative option. Whether it's someone coming up from the minor leagues, a trade, or even a veteran free agent, there are players out there the Braves can try to replace Ronald Acuna Jr. with. Here are some of the best options out there right now.
Possible replacements for Ronald Acuna Jr.
#1) Tommy Pham
Tommy Pham is off to an incredible start for the Chicago White Sox, but since he's a veteran, he's not likely to stay through any rebuild that the team undergoes. That makes him a trade candidate, and he can play corner outfield to replace Acuna Jr. Even as well as he's playing, he's not the same caliber player on offense as the fallen Braves star, but the team is deep enough to easily get by with Pham.
#2) Kevin Kiermaier
Kevin Kiermaier is a pending free agent and the Toronto Blue Jays don't look like contenders. That makes him a perfect replacement for Ronald Acuna Jr. The outfielder could easily slide into right field to take over and he isn't a threat to the future playing time of anyone since he'd exit via free agency this winter. It also wouldn't be a terribly expensive trade to pull off for GM Alex Anthopolous.
#3) Luis Robert Jr.
Not only would Luis Robert Jr. fill the void the Atlanta Braves now have in the outfield, but he fits perfectly into their normal trading pattern. They like to trade for young, controllable talent and then extend the player. That is exactly what Robert is for the Chicago White Sox.
He's under control through next season, so he would fill in perfectly and fit the timeline in Atlanta. He could play left field in the future, making a dominant outfield of Robert, Michael Harris II, and Acuna Jr.