Jurickson Profar, that former Silver Slugger and All-Star with a 14-year career under his belt, is almost certainly getting shown the door by the Atlanta Braves. Signed to a hefty $42 million contract just two winters ago, his tenure has been “anything but successful,” and after a second devastating suspension for performance-enhancing drugs, Sports Talk ATL’s Chase Irle believes the organization will cut ties for good.
The Dream That Turned Into a Nightmare
Two winters ago, the Braves thought they had finally solved their long-standing left field problem. They snagged Profar, a guy fresh off the best season of his career, an established veteran. He was supposed to be the answer, the legitimate power bat they needed to strengthen the lineup. But almost immediately, the dream turned sour. In his very first season in Atlanta, BAM! An 80-game suspension hit after he tested positive for Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), a clear violation of MLB’s drug policy. MLB.com’s Mark Bowman reported the whole ugly truth. The Braves were obviously disappointed to lose him for such a long stretch, but they initially tried to brush it off, hoping it was just an “isolated incident.” Fans, I’m telling you, that hope was fleeting.
The Double Whammy and a $15 Million Price Tag
“Isolated incident?” Yeah, right. Before *this* season even had a chance to properly begin, Profar went and did it again. ESPN’s Jeff Passan dropped the bombshell: a 162-game suspension, a full year, for a second positive PED test. Think about that for a second: he’s the sixth player since 2014 to get hit with that full-season ban because MLB decided to crack down on two-time offenders. This wasn’t just a slap on the wrist; this was a career-defining blow. And get this, he immediately forfeited his *entire* $15 million salary for the year. This guy, signed for $42 million, has barely seen the field. What a colossal waste of talent and cash.
Left Field Woes Continue for the Braves
With Profar essentially a ghost on the roster, the Braves are facing a monumental decision regarding the final year of his contract. Chase Irle from Sports Talk ATL is absolutely on the money: Atlanta *has* to upgrade left field this winter. It has been a “problem area” for them for years, a constant headache, and there’s just no universe where they can enter another season relying on Jurickson Profar. Releasing him is the “wise” move; it sends a strong message, sure, but more importantly, it frees them up to actively explore legitimate options in free agency. They *need* to find that power bat they thought they were getting two years ago. This entire Profar saga has been a disastrous stint for a guy who once won a Silver Slugger.
This whole situation is a brutal reminder of how quickly things can go sideways, even with a seasoned veteran. The Braves have got to turn the page, get serious about filling that left field hole, and bring in a player who’s actually committed to being on the field. Their “playoff push begins,” and they need players who are all in.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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