Atlanta Braves Add Coveted Outfielder
The Atlanta Braves have just signed Jurickson Profar to a three-year, $42M deal. The deal includes $12M in 2025, followed by $15M in both 2026 and 2027. Profar, 32, is leaving San Diego, where he has spent most of the last five seasons. The former top prospect is coming off the best season of his career, a season that saw him make the NL All-Star team and win a Silver Slugger as an outfielder.
With the Atlanta Braves, Profar is going to position himself in a corner outfield spot most of the time, but his versatility and defensive flexibility that he has shown throughout his career can allow the Braves to keep him in the lineup. Coming off of a disappointing and unhealthy season, Atlanta’s signing of Profar signals that they are preparing for another injury-riddled season if that befalls them again. In a corresponding move, the Braves designated Connor Gillespie for assignment.
Jurickson Profar Signs Contract with Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves made their biggest offseason move thus far Thursday by signing veteran Jurickson Profar to a three-year, $42M contract. The deal for Profar is back-loaded, with the 32-year-old earning $12M this upcoming season and $15M in each of the next two. Profar had drawn interest from other teams like the Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros, and Toronto Blue Jays, but Atlanta gave the former top prospect the best offer. He will likely take over duties in left field for Brian Snitker’s squad.
That is far from a sure thing, though, if 2024 is any indication about the Atlanta Braves’ upcoming season. A year plagued by injuries and uncertainty, the decision to sign Profar is a risky one, yet one Alex Anthopoulos is willing to make as insurance on their everyday lineup. An early-season injury to Ronald Acuna Jr. created a vacuum in the outfield that was patched together by multiple players like Jarred Kelenic, Jorge Soler, and Ramon Laureano, but the team suffered in Acuna Jr.’s and others’ absence. Profar’s ability to play anywhere on the diamond is a plus for an Atlanta team trying to leave 2024 behind them.
The decision to bring in Profar at the salary they agreed on is risky because of the volatility he has shown in his career. Since coming to the majors as a top prospect with the Texas Rangers, Profar has been extremely streaky. He capitalized on the best season of his career in 2024 by signing this deal. With San Diego last year, Profar hit .280 with a .380 OBP, .459 SLG, .839 OPS, 24 HR, and 85 RBI, earning a selection to the NL All-Star team and a Silver Slugger award. Those numbers far exceed his career averages of .245/.331/.395/.726. In a corresponding move, the Atlanta Braves designated Connor Gillespie for assignment.
Final Thoughts
The uncertainty in the Atlanta outfield and their recent history of injuries around the diamond make Jurickson Profar a lot more attractive to the Braves than other teams, which could explain why they were able to get a deal done. The Braves need some depth behind their stars, so even if Profar doesn’t replicate 2025 what he produced in 2024, if he can be an improvement over some of the players Atlanta used last season to replace their injured players, the deal may end up being worthwhile.
Profar hasn’t been consistent in his major league career, so giving him favorable matchups and catering to him in the lineup and on the field would be a good idea for Brian Snitker. However, the value of a player with Profar’s profile is that he can fit in around an existing group of talented players and tie up some loose ends in the field and in the batter’s box. Seeing how Profar is used in Atlanta and how Snitker evolves his use for the veteran will be interesting to see in 2025 as the Braves seek to reclaim the NL East crown and get back to contending for the World Series.
