You will struggle to find a player on the Atlanta Braves more reviled by fans than Jurickson Profar. While the Braves' anemic showing against the Dodgers in the NLDS has led to some raw feelings towards other players on the roster, it is hard to ignore that Profar signed a lucrative contract before the 2025 season and then was suspended for a total of 75% of the last two seasons. For many, it is crystal clear that the Braves need to suck it up and move on from Profar, his salary be damned.
However, that is not what has happened, at least not yet. While the expectation from at least one prominent Braves beat writer remains that Atlanta sends Profar packing, Alex Anthopoulos and the Braves' front office have refrained from making that decision, at least publicly.
In fact, the Braves have been hesitant to say anything about Profar at all since the offseason began, despite having multiple clear opportunities to do so. After Anthopoulos' latest deflection over Profar's future down at the GM meetings, one possible explanation does seem to be emerging.
Braves staying quiet on Jurickson Profar's status feels very much like a negotiating ploy
If we are honest with ourselves, the Braves making any statements at all about Profar right now would only be about optics. Whatever decision they make only REALLY matters when they make moves as well as when they give out invitations to spring training, and Anthopoulos never telegraphs that sort of information anyway if he doesn't have to.
However, having some ambiguity around Profar's status gives the Braves a little leverage during offseason negotiations. The Braves still need a right-handed bat, and left field is the area of the free-agent pool this offseason that gives the team the best pool of options. If Atlanta immediately said they were getting rid of Profar, that would be advantageous to the negotiating positions of Seiya Suzuki, Randy Arozarena, or any other option. With the specter of Profar as a backup plan looming, the Braves can at least pretend they are not desperate in talks, and that does matter.
Will that strategy work? Well, players, agents, and other teams aren't stupid, but they also know that the Braves owe Profar a lot of money, so they can at least envision a scenario where Atlanta tries to recoup some of those losses. Ultimately, this is just another part of the offseason staring contest. One just hopes the Braves don't blink first.
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