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Braves finalizing deal with Jurickson Profar

Originally posted on SportsTalkATL | By Chase Irle | Last updated Jan 23, 2025 5:16 PM ET

We are nearly four months away from when the Braves season ended, and Alex Anthopoulos has finally signed his first player to a guaranteed major-league contract. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Braves are finalizing a deal with outfielder Jurickson Profar.

BREAKING: Outfielder Jurickson Profar and the Atlanta Braves are finalizing a free agent contract, sources tell ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 23, 2025

Profar is joining the Braves fresh off a career year in 2024, hitting .280 with 24 homers and 29 doubles — good for an OPS of .839.

The Braves adding a starting caliber outfielder was really a non-negotiable this winter. Outside of Michael Harris II, they did not have a healthy proven option on the roster with Ronald Acuña Jr. expected to miss at least the first six weeks of the season.

Now, the Braves add more pop to an already potent lineup and considerably improve their depth. Michael Harris II, Jurickson Profar, and Jarred Kelenic is a more than capable outfield trio until Acuña returns, and then the Braves can go from there.

This was Atlanta’s top priority heading into the offseason. Now that it is filled, they can turn their attention to the pitching staff. The Braves still must add at least one more high leverage reliever, and it wouldn’t hurt for them to acquire another starting pitcher as well.

This article first appeared on SportsTalkATL and was syndicated with permission.

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