Jurickson Profar helped the San Diego Padres reach the 2024 playoffs before entering free agency. … [+] (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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After watching their closest rivals make multiple additions in the free-agent market, the Atlanta Braves finally made a major move of their own Thursday.
They added switch-hitting Jurickson Profar, a National League All-Star with San Diego last season, on a three-year deal worth $42 million. He’ll get $12 million this season followed by two years at $15 million apiece – but that’s a major haul for a man who earned only $1 million during the 2024 campaign.
Profar, who hit a career-high 24 home runs for the Padres, also reached a career peak with a .280 batting average, .380 on-base percentage, and .459 slugging mark.
Big Boost To Outfield
He’ll be a major upgrade in left field for Atlanta, which found trade acquisition Jarred Kelenic a major disappointment in his first National League season. Plagued by strikeouts, the lefty-hitting Kelenic will have to earn a spot or risk returning to the minors, as he has an option remaining.
The Braves have been desperate to patch up an outfield with only center-fielder Michael Harris II certain to start the season on the active roster.
Former National League MVP Ronald Acuña, Jr. will return to right field only when his surgically-repaired left ACL heals.
He was sidelined after suffering the injury while running the bases in Pittsburgh last May 26. Backups Adam Dunn and Ramón Laureano both left the team for free agency, though either could return as a bench player.
Former MVP Ronald Acuna, Jr. is expected to reclaim his right-field position with the Braves early … [+] in the 2025 season after his torn left ACL heals.
Dan Schlossberg
Another possibility for the Braves is a reunion with veteran left-handed hitter Jason Heyward, still a defensive stalwaert despite his batting power declining in recent seasons. He is also available via free agency – probably a minimal cost.
Three All-Stars
Once Acuña returns, which could be a month or more into the season according to medical reports, the Braves will have an outfield alignment of Acuña, Harris, and Profar – three potential All-Stars – from right to left.
A disciplined hitter who draws a good share of walks, Profar had a .302 average on balls in play for the Padres. The National League average in that department was .291.
Though not considered a strong defensive outfielder, Profar is markedly better than Jorge Soler, who returned to the Braves after Acuna’s injury last year, or Marcell Ozuna, whose defensive metrics are so bad that he’s now considered a full-time designated hitter. Soler has since been sent to the Angels in a trade that netted the Braves a minor-league pitcher who has also moved on.
Profar, one-time Texas infielder, now 32, broke into the big leagues at 19 but has been hampered by lack of playing time and uncertainty over how, when, and where he should be used.
According to media reports, he had been pursued by several other clubs – including San Diego and Philadelphia – seeking to beef up their batting orders.
The Padres had given Profar a three-year, $21 million deal before the 2021 season but the player exercised an opt-out clause after two seasons.
But betting on himself backfired, forcing Profar to play for much smaller one-year pacts two years in a row. His big year in 2024 rebuilt his market, however.
Adding Profar is the first major move made by the Braves since trading Soler and losing free agents Travis d’Arnaud to the Angels, Max Fried to the Yankees, and Charlie Morton to the Orioles. Atlanta was reported to have interest in shortstop Willy Adames, who signed with San Francisco, and left-handed reliever Tanner Scott, who inked a new pact with the free-spending Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Phillies, who last year ended Atlanta’s streak of six straight NL East titles, have signed Max Kepler, an outfielder, and pitchers Jesus Luzardo and Jordan Romano, while the Mets have added left-handed pitchers Sean Manaea and A.J. Minter plus outfielders Jose Siri, Jesse Winker, and Juan Soto, whose 15-year, $765 million contract convinced him to leave the New York Yankees.
Both New York and Philadelphia pay their players more than Atlanta, according to Roster Resource. The site suggests the Braves rank eighth among the 30 teams with a projected 2025 payroll of $212 million.
Profar is a client of the MVP Sports Group. His signing, first reported by Robert Murray of FanSided, cost pitcher Connor Gillespie his roster spot. He was designated for assignment after Atlanta announced the Profar signing.
The Braves finished second in the NL East last year with an 89-73 record, six games behind Philadelphia. The Mets also went 89-73 but lost the season’s series to Atlanta and were consigned to third place as a result.
