After the Atlanta Braves lost Jurickson Profar to a PED suspension, Eli White became the de facto short-side platoon bat paired with Yastrzemiski in left, but that still leaves the team without a right-handed DH. Jorge Mateo or Brett Wisely aren’t the answer, leaving Jonah Heim to fill in as backup catcher and DH when Baldwin’s behind the plate until Sean Murphy Returns. Heim hasn’t hit well since 2023, and there’s no guarantee Murphy will find his groove at the plate quickly.
As we wrote a couple of days ago, the Braves will save roughly $18 million with Profar suspended, so they have money to take on a contract, sign a free agent as DH, or add a pitcher, but doing both would require some magic monetary manipulation. We're hearing today that the Braves aren't likely to make a new signing, so let's look at a few inexpensive players that offer what the club needs.
Trade options to fill the power vacuum this season and in the future
Justyn-Henry Malloy
The Braves drafted Justyn-Henry Malloy in the sixth round of the 2021 Rule 4 Draft, so they know the Georgia Tech grad well. They sent him to Detroit as part of the Joe Jimenez trade in 2022, and he’s now well down the center field depth chart in the Rays’ system. He doesn't hit same-sided pitching well, but the 26-year-old righty has a career .250/.397/.423/.820 line .356 wOBA and 135 wRC+ when facing lefties. Malloy isn’t arb-eligible until 2028 and has two options remaining.
Derek Hill
Buried on the White Sox roster, you’ll find 30-year-old outfielder Derek Hill. Hill spent most of his time in center for the Tigers and Marlins, but never hit enough to be the everyday guy. He has, however, hit lefties at a .279/.322/.457/.779 clip, including three triples, ten doubles, and seven homers in 219 PA. Hill is signed to a split contract that would pay him $900K if he reaches the majors this year. He’s under team control via arbitration through 2028.
Jahmai Jones
The most likely candidate is Tigers’ 1B/OF/DH Jahmai Jones, who crushed lefties in 2025, batting .288/.393/.577/.970 vs LHP in 104 AB, with a .411 wOBA, 167 wRC+, and seven homers. He can also play left field and first base if needed, making him a better option than Dom Smith. The Athletic's Cory Stavenhagen suggested Jones could become available if the Tigers’ top prospects show well in spring training. He's under team control through 2030 and becomes arb-eligible in 2028, but he's out of options.
That’s a Wrap
The loss of Profar left the Braves with a gap in their lineup at a time when it's extremely difficult to find someone to fill it. While Profar wasn't a power bat, he did get on base and hit double-digit homers every year. I expect them to make a move soon; the question is how soon.