Atlanta Braves fans have every reason for a high level of frustration with outfielder Jurickson Profar. Even with the jaw-dropping defensive play and recent offensive uptick, the scars of how the season started remain. Profar made a selfish choice to break the league's banned substance list and help implode Atlanta's outfield. Before the end of the first series of the year, the biggest offseason addition was gone for 80 games in the 2025 season.
This isn't an easy decision to overlook, no matter how well the outfielder has played. Profar has hit .271 so far in August and added great defense in left field. It is easy to see the vision of what this trio of starting outfielders is supposed to be. However, the problem for the Braves has been getting all three healthy and producing at the same time.
It does leave a level of questions about what the Braves are going to do in the offseason. One could argue that the choice to endanger his team's season leaves enough reason to explore whether or not Profar is going to have a future in Atlanta. With two years remaining on the deal, it is one Atlanta could easily trade if it simply wants a salary dump.
Braves Will Weigh the Future of Underwhelming Outfielder Jurickson Profar
Profar needs to continue to produce at his current levels to put these concerns to rest heading into the offseason. Atlanta's approach should remain wide open, with only a handful of players being off limits in offseason conversations. It was beyond clear that the core the Braves built wasn't enough to accomplish the ultimate goal.
Even if the injuries hadn't piled up, this team, as currently constructed, isn't a postseason contender. Profar's early suspension and poor offensive performance are a big piece of this. Leaving plenty of reason to speculate on the outfielder's future.
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.