Braves predicted to release disappointing $42M Silver Slugger, All-Star, 14-year veteran originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Atlanta Braves signed Jurickson Profar two winters ago after he was coming off the best season of his career. It was a huge addition for the Braves, who believed Profar could finally solve their long-standing issue in left field.
However, his tenure in Atlanta has been anything but successful. In his first season with the Braves, Profar was suspended for violating MLB's performance-enhancing drug policy.
“MLB announced Profar received the 80-game suspension after testing positive for Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), a performance-enhancing substance that is in violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program,” MLB.com’s Mark Bowman wrote.
The Braves were disappointed to lose Profar for such a long stretch but initially believed the situation was an isolated incident. However, before this season began, Profar was suspended for the entire year after another positive test.
"Atlanta Braves designated hitter Jurickson Profar is facing a 162-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug for the second time in the last year, sources told ESPN on Tuesday. Profar, 33, is the sixth player to receive a 162-game ban for PED use since Major League Baseball increased the penalty for two-time offenders to a full season in 2014. He will forfeit the entirety of his $15 million salary," ESPN's Jeff Passan wrote.
With Profar having barely played during his tenure with the Braves, the organization has a major decision to make regarding the final year of his contract. Sports Talk ATL’s Chase Irle believes Atlanta will ultimately release him.
“Left field is another place where the Braves should be looking to upgrade this winter. It’s been a problem area in Atlanta for years, and there’s just no way they can enter another season relying on Jurickson Profar. The Braves would be wise to send a message by cutting him this offseason,” Irle wrote.
This would be the right move for the Braves, as it would allow them to move forward and explore their options in free agency. Left field should be one of their biggest positions to address this offseason, and Atlanta needs to find a legitimate power bat to strengthen the lineup.
Profar is currently on a $42 million contract with Atlanta. However, the former Silver Slugger winner and All-Star has had a disastrous stint with the Braves, and he may have played his way out of the organization once Atlanta moves on from him.
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