1 hour ago
3
The Atlanta Braves have a very important offseason ahead of them as they look to become legitimate contenders in 2027. The organization has several needs to address if it wants to have a chance of competing with teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers.
One position that needs attention is left field, as it remains unclear what will happen with Jurickson Profar. The switch-hitter spent all of last season suspended for PEDs a second time.
“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," ESPN's Jeff Passan wrote.
The Braves need a reliable option they can plug into left field every day. Last season, the position was primarily handled through a full-time platoon.
“The Atlanta Braves enter the offseason with some question marks in their lineup. Last season ended with the bats drying up in October. An answer on Jurickson Profar looms. While Ronald Acuña Jr. and Michael Harris II are everyday outfielders, left field was a rotating spot. It was matchup-dependent, and the needs at shortstop played a role as well in who the options were," SI’s Harrison Smajovits wrote.
With free agency underway, Atlanta has the opportunity to address that need. Sports Talk ATL’s Chase Irle believes the Braves should sign Jake Bauers to take over in left field.
“One of the heroes of the Brewers’ World Series run, Bauers entered this season with -1.3 WAR to his name. Then he hit 26 homers with an .874 OPS over 144 regular season games before taking home NLCS MVP honors in Milwaukee’s triumph over the two-time defending champions. Bauers is a year younger than Arozarena and Suzuki, and the fact that he has just one year of production under his belt should make him much more affordable,” Irle wrote.
This would be a sensible move for Atlanta, especially considering Bauers could be a more affordable option than some of the other players available on the market. He is also coming off the best season of his career, giving the Braves a chance to add a productive bat while hoping he can maintain that momentum.
Bauers played on a $2.7 million contract with the Brewers. There is no doubt he had the best offensive season of his career in 2026, hitting 26 home runs. Bringing him to Atlanta would not be a bad idea, particularly if he can continue producing at that level.
More MLB news:
English (US) 