The second PED suspension of Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar has caused shock and rage within the baseball community. After signing a three-year, $43 million deal, Profar has proceeded to get popped twice in as many years for performance enhancing drugs.
At this point, there's no doubt that both the organization and the fan base would prefer to never see Jurickson Profar in a Braves uniform again. Thankfully, the 162-game penalty for a second positive PED test will entirely take care of Profar's second year of the three year deal. Unfortunately, 2027 will still require action.
However, even with Profar slated to make $15 million in 2027, the decision is clear.
Braves have no choice but to cut ties with suspended outfielder
Although the response from Braves players and management was diplomatic, with pitcher Spencer Strider comparing the suspension to an injury, and manager Walt Weiss emphasizing the team's need to stay focused on preparing for the regular season, their frustration still seeped through.
Profar had already put himself in a difficult spot in the clubhouse after his first suspension in 2025, but letting down the team again in 2026 is essentially impossible to come back from. Ozzie Albies and Chadwick Tromp were forced to face the brunt of Profar's actions, as they were not only his teammates on the Braves, but also teammates on the Netherlands' World Baseball Classic roster.
The Braves don't have to take any action for a while. With Profar not getting a dime of his 2026 salary thanks to his suspension, and with a looming labor negotiation battle approaching in 2027, Atlanta is fine to leave their worst free agent signing in recent history rot on the restricted list and see if a lockout can knock off anymore of the $15 million they still owe him. Once there's clarity on the 2027 season, however, the Braves only have two options: trade Profar and hope a team is willing to eat some of the contract, or simply release him.
Profar has shown that he is unreliable at best, and the Braves have absolutely no reason to trust him going forward. If Profar somehow manages to stay off of the PEDs in 2027, something he seems to be incapable of doing, his playing career will almost certainly not continue in Atlanta.