At the commencement of the previous offseason, the Atlanta Braves initiated discussions with free agent outfielder Mike Yastrzemski. Aware that Yastrzemski’s potential signing could influence Jurickson Profar’s role, Atlanta executive Alex Anthopoulos contacted Profar to address this potential scenario.
Anthopoulos delineated Profar’s potential market avenues and conceded that if the Braves acquired Yastrzemski, Profar would be allocated at-bats as the designated hitter on certain days, rather than occupying left field. Profar concurred that Yastrzemski was a skilled athlete and expressed support for the acquisition.
The Braves secured Yastrzemski with a two-year agreement, an acquisition now proving considerably more crucial than initially anticipated, following Profar’s 162-game ban under baseball’s performance-enhancing drug regulations. After the suspension information surfaced, an analyst messaged: “They’re fortunate to have acquired Yaz.”
This unfortunate development represents merely one facet of what has become another season plagued by misfortune for the Braves. Last year, a succession of ailments hampered them, featuring pitcher Reynaldo Lopez, third baseman Austin Riley, 2024 Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale, and Profar’s initial PED ban. This year, the Braves commenced training without the presence of catcher Sean Murphy (hip) and shortstop Ha-Seong Kim (finger), both projected to be absent for the first quarter of the season due to physical setbacks. Soon after, starting pitchers Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep underwent operations on their elbows, which are predicted to sideline them until the middle of summer.
Presently, Atlanta also lacks the services of Profar, who posted a .245/.353/.434 batting line with 14 home runs in the 80 contests he participated in after completing his 80-game suspension in 2025. While the MLB Players Association is contesting his present ban, his subsequent infraction means he is obligated to remain sidelined during the appeal process. Consequently, for planning purposes, the Braves must proceed under the assumption of his continued absence.
Yastrzemski, boasting a .529 average (9-for-17) with a double and four homers this spring, assumes a primary position in the outfield alongside Michael Harris II and Ronald Acuna Jr. Atlanta anticipates that Drake Baldwin, last year’s National League Rookie of the Year, will accumulate numerous at-bats as designated hitter, both preceding and following Murphy’s activation from the disabled list. Jonah Heim was recruited shortly before preseason camp to divide the duties behind the plate with Baldwin while Murphy is unavailable.
However, with recent arrival Mauricio Dubon covering the shortstop position pending Kim’s comeback, the Braves have an evident requirement for another outfielder. A right-handed hitter would be most suitable, offering incoming manager Walt Weiss potential split-squad options to Yastrzemski and Baldwin when Atlanta encounters southpaw hurlers. Available experienced unattached players like Tommy Pham and Andrew McCutchen remain. The Houston Astros, hypothetically, possess an abundance of infield talent; Atlanta might attempt to obtain Houston’s right-handed-hitting third baseman Isaac Paredes to contribute as an infielder and designated hitter. Yet, he may not align with the Braves’ needs, and the Astros’ demanding valuation for him is justifiably elevated – during discussions with Boston regarding a trade for his services, Houston expressed interest in outfielder Jarren Duran.
Furthermore, the Braves require additional arms. Ailments to Schwellenbach and Waldrep have rendered their starting staff depleted. Consequently, they could allocate funds from Profar’s $15 million salary (along with the $3 million in luxury tax penalties stemming from the 20% levy they would have incurred on the contract) towards an available uncontracted starter, such as Lucas Giolito.
Nevertheless, it appears more probable that the Braves will evaluate unattached player possibilities over the coming weeks, as other teams trim their squads ahead of Opening Day. Moreover, the Braves must endeavor to avert further physical setbacks – or any other adverse developments.
“Who has endured a more dismal preseason camp thus far – the Braves or the Twins?” inquired one competing club official shortly following Profar’s suspension, also referencing the Minnesota Twins forfeiting Pablo Lopez to campaign-concluding Tommy John surgery.
The report concerning Profar’s suspension has affected his team adversely at a challenging juncture, akin to his initial ban which transpired immediately after the Braves were overwhelmed by San Diego in a four-game series to commence the 2025 season. Atlanta appeared as if they failed to rebound then. The expectation is that on this occasion, the outcome will differ. The Braves’ attention is directed towards 2026.
Sale remarked, following the Profar report, “Learning of it was arduous. Evidently, for us, at this juncture of the year, it represents a challenging impediment. We were gearing up for the campaign and ensuring the team was prepared for the upcoming challenges, so this is undoubtedly unwelcome information. … I believe what’s paramount for this team is to concentrate on the forthcoming obstacles.”