Braves predicted to ship Mike Yastrzemski for $340M 2-time Gold Glove winner, 2-time Silver Slugger originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Atlanta Braves were excited about Jurickson Profar entering Spring Training after he showed promise at the end of last season. However, after his suspension for PEDs, he needed to win back the trust of the coaching staff, organization, and fans.

“Atlanta keeping Profar doesn’t change the fact that the outfielder will still be on thin ice. The veteran is going to need more than a handful of nice moments to win back a frustrated fan base. It will take a solid season of production and help push the franchise back into the postseason chase. Until the outfielder is traded or this happens, there is still going to be a level of frustration with the poor choice Profar made. Something that will continue to define the outfielder’s time in Atlanta for the foreseeable future,” ATL All Day’s Nick Halden wrote.

A little into Spring Training, it was revealed that Profar had been suspended for a second time for PEDs.

“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,” ESPN’s Jeff Passan wrote.

Now, the Braves are doing everything they can to replace him. A recent mock trade has the Braves acquiring Fernando Tatis Jr. in exchange for Mike Yastrzemski, Didier Fuentes, Owen Murphy, and Diego Tornes.

“Atlanta was left scrambling after letting Marcell Ozuna walk in free agency and having Jurickson Profar fail another PED test that will cost him the entire 2026 season. The Braves need an outfielder, and Tatis would be a huge upgrade. While this is a big price to pay with three of their top prospects and their starting left fielder, it’s worth it for a talented team that wants to find themselves back in the World Series. After underachieving the past few seasons, they need to make a big move to get them back on top of the NL East,” SI’s Mike Morales-Smith wrote.

This would be a significant price for the Braves to pay, but acquiring Tatis would be a major boost to their outfield. Two of the team’s biggest stars would be in the outfield together, forming a dynamic lineup.

The Braves are committed to doing whatever it takes this season to make the playoffs after missing out last year. Atlanta has had a successful offseason, and adding Tatis would be a huge win for the organization.

More MLB news:

• Blue Jays predicted to trade for $300M 2-time Cy Young winner to bolster rotation with Dylan Cease

• Phillies could part ways with $6M gritty fan favorite, 2-time Gold Glove finalist, and Alec Bohm

• Dodgers predicted to trade for $13M darkhorse Cy Young candidate amid Roki Sasaki’s struggles

• Mets predicted to fire Carlos Mendoza for rival World Series champion, hottest managerial name

• Dodgers’ $6M hero raises concerns after brutal spring despite Dave Roberts’ Opening Day stance

• Braves predicted to replace Ha-Seong Kim with $6.1M 2-time Gold Glove winner, World Series champion

• Braves reporter sounds alarm on Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Reynaldo Lopez in Spring Training

• Braves predicted to sign $38M high-risk, injury prone arm to ‘save’ rotation with Chris Sale

• Yankees predicted to make blockbuster trade for $400M 2-time Cy Young winner, 2-time All-Star

• Ronald Acuña Jr. sends honest message to Braves organization after Venezuela WBC win over Italy

• Yankees predicted to trade for $13M darkhorse Cy Young arm to bolster rotation with Max Fried, Gerrit Cole

• Yankees predicted to replace Aaron Boone with World Series champion as top managerial option