Anthopoulos: Braves won’t decide on Jurickson Profar’s 2027 role until after Spring Training

The Braves are keeping the question of Jurickson Profar’s 2027 roster spot open, saying any definitive decision likely will wait until the end of Spring Training. Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said the organization will address the issue, but it wants a clearer understanding of the overall roster picture before making an unnecessary immediate move.

Anthopoulos’ comments also suggest the team is not looking to rush a release because it would not provide a roster or financial benefit in the near term. The reasoning, as described in the Braves’ own coverage, is that releasing Profar early would not change the immediate cost situation versus handling the decision after camp.

Profar’s situation is complicated by the history of his contract’s past two seasons. After signing a three-year, $42 million deal before 2024, he has played just 80 MLB games since then, with a reported 80-game suspension in 2024 and a 162-game suspension before the start of the following season, and his financial cost over those two suspensions is described as about $6 million because he was not paid during the suspensions.

Beyond the money, the Braves are also weighing how his absence has affected lineup design. The coverage notes the Braves had built their lineup to depend on his right-handed bat, and his availability has been limited by the two suspensions, making his on-field role a key part of the roster decision.

If Profar is on the roster, the Braves’ options include treating him as the right-handed piece of a platoon alongside Mike Yastrzemski at left field, or creating a right-handed platoon and using a DH option tied to catcher Drake Baldwin. The coverage also discusses the possibility of him being expected to win a roster spot in camp and then being released if a fit does not emerge, as well as the possibility of a trade if the Braves decide that makes more sense after evaluating market and roster needs.

The coverage further frames what “value” could look like. It points to Profar’s best offensive season as 2024 with the Padres, then notes that in 80 games for Atlanta in 2025 he produced a comparable home run rate and an overall OPS under.800, while also emphasizing there would be a clubhouse context to consider after two suspension periods.