Usually, the idea of the Atlanta Braves taking on a bad contract from any team would seem insane. Even with the Braves having one of the higher payrolls in baseball, dedicating any part of it to a bad player just doesn't align with the club's philosophy.
Further, taking one of their biggest NL rival off the hook from a deal they clearly regret would be even crazier. With the Los Angeles Dodgers likely shopping Teoscar Hernández the second the final out of the 2026 season is recorded, it would be shocking if they found much of a market for the disappointing outfielder. However, thanks to one poor contract the Braves on the Braves book, a swap between the two teams might make sense.
Teoscar Hernández for Jurickson Profar bad contract swap might just make sense for both teams
Teoscar Hernández is still a decent hitter. Over the last two years, the corner outfielder has slashed .256/.308/.441 with a 106 OPS+. If he could provide decent defense, the Dodgers would probably be fine riding out the last year of the three-year deal they inked him to after their first championship.
However, over the last two years, Hernández one of the worst defensive players by Fielding Run Value. His liability on the field, coupled with some prospects waiting in the wings has the Dodgers looking to find an out from the remaining $23.8 million guaranteed on his deal between the last year of his deal and the buyout for his team option.
Typically, this is the type of deal that the Braves should absolutely stay away from. However, thanks to the albatross that is the twice-suspended, disgraced Jurickson Profar, the Braves might have motivation to do something with the money rather than nothing.
Profar is still owed $15 million in 2027, which is less than what Hernandez will be guaranteed over the duration his final year, but considering that Profar has burned the bridge with the Braves, and then hammered away the scaffolding the following year, Atlanta would rather send the biggest free agent disappointment in Braves history to cruise along the Carribean than have him don the uniform again.
Of course, the Dodgers also would have no motivation actually playing Profar, but they would almost certainly take over $8 million in dollars saved, especially if they can pry a prospect or two away from the Braves in the process.
It wouldn't be the first time in the Anthopoulos Era that he's swapped bad deals with LA. One of the first trades he ever made was sending Matt Kemp back to Los Angeles, with the Braves taking on the contracts of Brandon McCarthy, Scott Kazmir, and Adrian Gonzalez. The latter two never even played a game for the team, and the biggest contributor of the entire trade was utility player Charlie Culberson.
The deal would not be without risk for the Braves. They would likely need to part with one of their prospects, and hope that Hernández's bat doesn't further regress. But turning Profar's dead money into something would be worth it.
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