Zach Pressnell is a Newsweek contributor based in Columbus, Ohio. His focus is MLB content. He has an extensive knowledge of professional baseball and all things that come with it after working closely with the sport for years. Zach has been with Newsweek since November 2024 and previously worked at FanSided and OnSI. He is a graduate of Bethany College (WV). You can get in touch with Zach by emailing [email protected].
The Atlanta Braves desperately need to replace outfielder Jurickson Profar after the star was handed an 80-game suspension for failing a drug test. Beyond that, Profar will be ineligible for the postseason if the Braves can turn their season around and make it there.
FanSided’s Jacob Mountz recently suggested the Braves could swing a blockbuster trade for injured Miami Marlins outfielder Jesus Sánchez to replace the aforementioned Profar.
“Sánchez frequently makes hard contact and produces stellar exit velocities. Despite this, his results are not ideal,” Mountz wrote. “In 2024, Sánchez hit .252/.313/.417/.731 with 18 home runs in 489 at-bats. His left-handed bat would boost these numbers in Atlanta, however, his strikeout total prevented him from posting an ideal on-base percentage last season. If the Braves could shore up this issue, they might turn what is a decent hitter into a feared slugger.
“But power isn’t the only perk the Braves would receive in trading for Sánchez. The Miami Marlins’ right fielder also stole 16 bags in 18 attempts last year, showing a knack for swiping bases with a high success rate. Given Miami’s lack of strength in the NL, it would be safe to assume a few key pieces, such as Sánchez, will be traded by the deadline.”
Of all the options available, Sánchez is likely going to be one of the more overlooked players on the market. The Marlins have him under team control for a few more years, and he’s currently injured.
But the Braves would be much better off if they could land him to replace Profar.
Sánchez seems to be on the verge of breaking out each and every year. If he can put the pieces together once he returns from injury, there’s potential to see him turn into a 20 home run, 20 stolen base kind of player.
