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Report: Braves eyeing Pollock to fill outfield vacancy

Norm Hall / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Atlanta Braves are reportedly discussing free agent A.J. Pollock, as well as other outfielders, according to Buster Olney of ESPN.

Pollock, 31, would likely fill the void left by the departing Nick Markakis and would slot in next to fellow outfielders Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ender Inciarte.

The former All-Star is coming off a campaign where he slashed .257/.316/.484 with 21 home runs in 113 games. Though he possesses indisputable talent, as demonstrated in his breakout 2015 season, injuries have prevented him from staying on the field with much consistency in the years since.

After hitting the open market following last season, it was reported that Pollock was seeking a contract in the five-year, $80-million range similar to what Lorenzo Cain landed with the Milwaukee Brewers last offseason.

The New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, and Houston Astros have been tied to Pollock at various times this offseason. The Reds and Astros are likely out of the discussion, however, as Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp were traded to Cincinnati and Houston signed Michael Brantley.

Whichever team ultimately signs Pollock will have to surrender a compensatory pick in this summer's draft since he rejected a $17.9-million qualifying offer from the Arizona Diamondbacks in November.

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