Jurickson Profar went MIA at a time when he may have needed to do some explaining.
One of the Braves’ big offseason decisions is whether to keep the polarizing outfielder for the 2027 season for $15 million after missing the entire 2026 season due to his second ban for performance-enhancing drugs since signing a three-year, $42 million pact with Atlanta.
And Profar certainly did not help himself with his actions after receiving his year-long ban in spring training on the heels of his 80-game ban in 2025.
“Talking with people around the team, after Profar got suspended a second time for his PED violation, this dude like disappeared off the face of the earth,” Braves reporter Scott Coleman said on the “Hammer Territory” podcast last month. “Changed his cellphone number, nobody heard from him, players hadn’t heard from him is what I was told.”
Those reported tactics are perhaps a reason why veteran Braves reporter Mark Bowman recently wrote that “Profar certainly wouldn’t be welcome back in the clubhouse after betraying his teammates both of the past two seasons with performance-enhancing drug suspensions.”
These reports make it seem highly likely Profar won’t be back with the Braves in 2027, leaving them with sizable wasted money at a time when they are clearly a step below other NL contenders.
Atlanta signed Profar after a career year with the Padres in 2024 and he’s since provided just 80 games due to his suspensions.
Profar, 33, actually played well in 80 games in 2025 following the 80-game sanction, posting a .787 OPS, but did not play last year after receiving a 162-game ban.
Atlanta only had to pay him a prorated amount for those two years due to the suspensions, but he’s set to go for 2027 — if the Braves want him.
Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said the Braves don’t have to rush a decision.
“We realize it’s something we’re going to have to address,” Anthopoulos said, per MLB.com. “But we’d like to get through the winter and have a better handle on what the roster looks like and what’s going to happen between now and Spring Training with signings, role and all that stuff.”
Due to Profar’s actions and his salary, it’s hard to envision the Braves could find a trade partner.
“We haven’t come to any conclusions at all,” Anthopoulos said, according to MLB.com “But look, it’s a topic. It’s something that’s going to need to be addressed at some point.
“The good news is it doesn’t have to be addressed today, because we have the offseason and the roster can change and things can change.”
