To begin to question the value of Atlanta Braves centerfielder Michael Harris, things must grow incredibly dark at the plate.
Harris is one of the best defenders in baseball and carries incredible value any time he takes the field defensively. However, this value is starting to get lost in the team's offensive struggles, with Harris playing badly enough that it is time to question if his defensive upside is enough to overcome this level of frustration. After all, he's objectively among the league's worst hitters by any qualifying metric.
This isn't just taking the Atlanta veteran's ugly average or slugging percentages, but looking at the lift in his swing and advanced metrics that tell us Harris isn't getting any better.
The outfielder is a mess at the plate and a consistent liability. It is time the Braves stop accepting this and begin to debate either sending the outfielder down or benching him until there is a notable improvement.
Braves Must Consider Demoting, Benching Michael Harris Soon
It isn't just about Harris and the outfielders' frustrating struggles, but about sending a message to an underachieving roster.
Every game that the Braves continue to accept this production level is a message that production doesn't matter if the dollar signs on your contract are large enough. This isn't a shot at Harris, who has been incredible for the team prior to this season. The outfielder is a career .274 hitter and an incredible defender who has been a needed boost to the team's lineup.
Having said that, things are heading into Orlando Arica territory when it comes to lack of offensive value. Depending on the numbers you choose, it is easy to make the case that Harris is a worse hitter than Arcia was in the 2024 season. The Braves have taken the same approach to both players, refusing to let either veteran take a step back and attempt to figure out what has gone wrong.
Looking at Eli White and Alex Verdugo's recent numbers, things might not drastically change, but both are a clear upgrade in the everyday lineup. Verdugo is batting .250 with an RBI and three walks in his last 31 plate appearances, while White is slashing .353/.353/.529 with a homer and two RBIs in his last seven outings.
Atlanta's decision to keep plugging Harris into the lineup isn't helping the outfielder and is actively hurting the team. It is time to make a difficult decision: either send Harris to Gwinnett to get his swing fixed or bench the outfielder for a week or two to give him a chance to reset.
Whichever direction the Braves want to choose, it will be a move that's long overdue.