Braves playing dangerous trade deadline game with roster amid Jurickson Profar's $15M gaffe

The Atlanta Braves are set to start the season with a vengeance after the way last season ended. Last year, the Braves didn’t even sniff the playoffs. Things got tougher for the team this spring when Jurickson Profar was suspended once again.

“Atlanta Braves designated hitter Jurickson Profar is facing a 162-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug for the second time in the last year, sources told ESPN on Tuesday. Profar, 33, is the sixth player to receive a 162-game ban for PED use since Major League Baseball increased the penalty for two-time offenders to a full season in 2014. He will forfeit the entirety of his $15 million salary,” Jeff Passan wrote.

The suspension was appealed, but on Thursday, it was announced that it will remain in effect.

“Jurickson Profar‘s appeal of his 162-game suspension for a second positive PED test was unsuccessful, reports Jeff Passan. Profar will serve the entire 162-game suspension, missing all of the 2026 season, and will be ineligible for postseason play if Atlanta qualifies. He will not be paid his $15MM salary this season, which means the Braves will also be spared the $3MM of luxury taxes they’d have paid on his contract this season,” Steve Adams wrote.

The Braves now face some decisions regarding the money Profar leaves behind. For now, it appears Atlanta plans to hold steady.

“Instead, the more likely outcome is that the Braves have a war chest heading into the trade deadline. If the right player is available, Atlanta has the payroll now to take on almost anyone that is likely to be available. If not, they will remain under the luxury tax threshold and have even more flexibility once the inevitable lockout eventually ends. It may not be the sexy result that some fans want, but it is also a nice benefit to what is otherwise a crummy situation,” Eric Cole wrote.

Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos knows what he is doing with the team’s money, and it is smart to wait. If a pitcher like Max Scherzer were still a free agent, the Braves would likely have already used the funds.

However, the only name still on the market worth considering is Lucas Giolito. Giolito ended the 2025 season on a high note, but it was an up-and-down year overall. The Braves plan to wait, but that strategy could carry some risk.

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