If the Los Angeles Dodgers place Yasiel Puig on waivers this month, he might not make it very far before being claimed.

ESPN's Jim Bowden reports that the Atlanta Braves, who would currently have first dibs on Puig, could be a destination for the embattled outfielder. According to a source, if the Braves still have the worst record in baseball, they could make a waiver claim on Puig, should the Dodgers place him on waivers. From that point, the Braves might try to trade a mid-level pitching prospect for Puig, Bowden writes.

Puig's performance has continued to falter since his dazzling first two seasons in Los Angeles. His struggles this season have made it harder and harder for the team to put up with his off-the-field behavior, and with Josh Reddick now a member of the Dodgers, Puig has become expendable (L.A. optioned him to the minors on Tuesday), although the Dodgers do not want to give him up for nothing.

The rebuilding Braves have shown no hesitation in taking risks to get back into contention. The team just added Matt Kemp in a deal with the San Diego Padres, another former Dodger who has seen his star diminished since his MVP runner-up season in 2011. Puig, 25, is young enough that he can find the form that made him one of the most electrifying players in baseball and be a part of young core that will be the next Braves team to contend for the playoffs.