This season, the Atlanta Braves have been the top team in baseball, and it hasn’t even been close. Even before the season started, however, injuries and unanticipated roster problems caused them to endure tremendous challenges.
The greatest setback occurred when Jurickson Profar was suspended for the entire season after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. He also had to forfeit his $15 million pay for the year as a result of his suspension.
“After testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance for the second time in the last year, Jurickson Profar, the designated hitter for the Atlanta Braves, is facing a 162-game suspension, sources informed ESPN on Tuesday. Profar, who is 33 years old, is the sixth player to be banned from Major League Baseball for 162 games for using performance-enhancing drugs since the league raised the punishment for two-time offenders to a full season in 2014. ESPN’s Jeff Passan stated that he will lose all of his $15 million pay.
The club made an effort to remain calm until the suspension was finally made public. Veteran Chris Sale then talked about his disappointment about the report.
It was challenging. Obviously, we’re all getting ready for the season at this time of year, and there’s a lot of stuff we need to do to get ready, and it’s not good news. “Not what you want to hear,” Sale stated.
Atlanta lost a significant power bat in the outfield when Profar left. Mauricio Dubón has shown he can hit in important situations, yet he isn’t considered a power hitter. The Braves might thus want to pursue Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins.
We named Buxton, a Baxley, Georgia native, as a prospective subject of interest. Not only would he have to forgo his no-trade clause, but he would also probably have to leave center field, where Michael Harris II plays for the Braves. “If those two obstacles could be removed, he would be a great addition to Walt Weiss’s lineup,” wrote Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report.
Atlanta would gain significantly by acquiring Buxton. He might play left field while Michael Harris II and Ronald Acuña Jr. keep their primary roles. The offensive upside of the three would be tremendous, in addition to establishing a strong defensive outfield.
Even if Buxton is now on a $100 million contract, Atlanta making room for Profar’s $15 million salary for this season may help to make the financial aspect more manageable. If history repeats itself, the Braves’ decision to recruit another local player makes perfect sense and may be very beneficial for Atlanta.
