Former Phillies outfielder Max Kepler suspended after positive PED test

Will suspension affect Max Kepler signing with a new team?

Playing with the Minnesota Twins for 10 out of his 11 years in the big leagues, Kepler had flown below the radar and carved out a solid career for himself, with a career .235 batting average and an OPS of .741. Until reaching a bigger market in Philadelphia, Kepler didn't face much criticism, given that he was on average teams between 2015 and 2024, squads that got bounced out of the playoffs in the wild-card or divisional rounds four times.

Kepler faced the most criticism of his career with the Phillies when he complained to The Athletic's Matt Gelb about not being the starting left fielder and falling into a platoon role. Now facing a suspension, Kepler will have to worry about finding a job instead of worrying about being a platoon player, as rebuilding teams like the Chicago White Sox (who need outfield help) will likely look to other options, as Kepler seems to have zero trade value now.

A team could emerge and give Kepler a chance to serve his suspension and use the second half to get himself going to re-enter the free agent market next year and try his hand again. However, with other outfielders on the market who don't come with a looming suspension, Kepler could be looking at a potential two-year vacation from baseball, with a work stoppage coming after this season.