Braves could replace Jurickson Profar with Orioles' $6M Gold Glove finalist looking for fresh start

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Braves could replace Jurickson Profar with Orioles' $6M Gold Glove finalist looking for fresh start originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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The Atlanta Braves suffered another setback just a week ago when it was announced that Jurickson Profar would be suspended for the entire season. This marks his second consecutive suspension due to 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,” Jeff Passan wrote.

The case is being appealed, but even if the appeal proceeds, Profar could be out of a job for some time.

“We could potentially be looking at one of the worst free agent signings in Atlanta Braves history, maybe even in MLB history. When Alex Anthopoulos brought Profar to Atlanta, it seemed that he would be a great complimentary switch-hitter in a lineup with Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley. The fact that Profar can be so versatile in the field made him a great fit as well. It turns out that Profar's actions off the field will likely have him looking for a job for a long time. The MLBPA plans to appeal Profar's current 162-game suspension but it has been over a decade since a ruling such as this one has been overturned,” FanSided’s Austin Owens wrote.

The Braves are now looking to replace him and could target Baltimore Orioles’ Ryan Mountcastle.

“The Orioles were exploring Mountcastle trades at the start of spring training, and the Atlanta Braves may have just emerged as a potential suitor,” Birds Watcher’s Jordan Campbell wrote. “Yes, it could be wishful thinking for the Orioles, hoping that the Braves are desperate enough to help resolve one of their biggest roster headaches. Despite his struggles last year, he's flashed real power in his earlier seasons with the Orioles and could be a platoon option at DH for the Braves.”

Atlanta is searching for a more reliable bat than Dom Smith, who is currently lined up to be the DH. The Braves want to have a big season, but losing Profar means the lineup will need significant reinforcement.

Profar has put the Braves in a major hole for the second consecutive season. All of this news has Atlanta scrambling to determine the best path forward.

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