Jurickson Profar, an outfielder for the Atlanta Braves, was recently suspended by Major League Baseball (MLB). This has raised questions about how suspensions can affect a player’s contract and potentially contract-based financing. This article examines the contract implications of Jurickson Profar’s suspension, looking at how it affects both his career and his team.
Reasons for Jurickson Profar’s Suspension
Profar was suspended for 80 games after testing positive for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a performance-enhancing substance banned under MLB’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program (or MLB PED Policy). This substance, often used as a fertility drug or to boost testosterone production after steroid use, was the same drug that led to a 50-game suspension for Manny Ramirez in 2009. Profar’s positive test came just four games into the 2025 season, following a career-best 2024 where he earned All-Star and Silver Slugger honors with a .280/.380/.459 slash line, 24 home runs, and 85 RBIs. In his statement, Profar conveyed his devastation and denied deliberately using any banned substances.
He took full responsibility for the situation and accepted MLB’s decision, saying, “I would never willingly take a banned substance, but I take full responsibility and accept MLB’s decision.”
Duration and Terms
The 80-game suspension, effective immediately, represents a standard penalty for a first-time performance-enhancing drug (PED) offense in MLB. Barring any postponed games, Profar is eligible to return on June 29, 2025, against the Philadelphia Phillies—missing roughly half of the 162-game regular season. Additionally, MLB rules stipulate that players serving a PED suspension in a given season are ineligible for postseason play, meaning Profar cannot participate in the 2025 playoffs if the Braves qualify. This extended absence amplifies the suspension’s impact on his career and contract.
Contractual Implications
Contracts in professional sports are meticulously detailed, covering everything from salary and bonuses to conduct expectations and repercussions of violations. Profar signed with the Braves as a free agent on January 23, 2025, for $42 million over three years, with no signing bonus or options. The salary breakdown is as follows: $12 million in 2025, $15 million in 2026, and $15 million in 2027, averaging $14 million annually. This contract illustrates that he was one of the Braves’ key offseason pickup, as he was penciled-in as the regular left fielder after Jorge Soler’s exit and with Ronald Acuña Jr. still recovering from a knee injury.
Salary and Bonuses
One of the most immediate impacts of Profar’s suspension is on his salary. Under MLB’s drug policy, players do not receive pay during a PED suspension. With a 2025 base salary of $12 million, Profar will lose approximately $5.8 million—calculated as 80/162 of his annual salary (each game is worth roughly $74,074). This figure assumes no postponements or scheduling anomalies. His contract does not appear to include performance bonuses tied to plate appearances or accolades in 2025, so the financial hit is limited to the prorated salary loss. However, missing half the season and the postseason could indirectly affect future earnings if his performance dips upon return.
Contractual Obligations
Profar’s contract likely includes standard clauses tied to MLB’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, obligating him to comply with league policies. His suspension constitutes a breach of these terms, but it does not automatically void the contract. The Braves remain obligated to pay the remaining $35 million ($6.2 million in 2025 post-suspension, plus $15 million each in 2026 and 2027), barring any mutual agreement to terminate or renegotiate. The team could theoretically waive him and eat the cost, allowing Profar to sign elsewhere for the league minimum while Atlanta covers the difference, but this seems unlikely given his value and the early stage of the deal. For now, the Braves must wait out the suspension, as the contract remains intact.
Future Contract Negotiations
The suspension could have long-term effects on Profar’s career, particularly when his current deal expires in 2028. At age 32, he was poised to build on his 2024 success, but a PED violation may tarnish his reputation and market value. Teams might hesitate to offer lucrative, long-term contracts to a player with a suspension history, potentially lowering his bargaining power in future free agency. His performance upon return in July 2025 will be critical to mitigating this damage.
Contract Advance Implications
When an MLB player is suspended without pay for 80 games, there are implications when there is contract-based debt. While MLB contract’s are guaranteed, any payments due during the suspension are in jeopardy, as the player is not collecting a paycheck. Missing a loan payment can push the loan into default, causing a ripple effect of issues that all parties involved would love to avoid. That’s one of the many benefits of working with Sure Sports. Whether you’re a lender, athlete, or athlete advisor; Sure Sports continues to work with you throughout the duration of the loan and will find a solution to ensure the loa remains in good standing.
Impact on the Team
The absence of a versatile player like Profar, who was penciled in as the everyday left fielder and leadoff hitter, disrupts team dynamics. The Braves, already 0-4 after a sweep by the Padres, face a tough stretch without him, especially with Ronald Acuña Jr. sidelined until at least May. The team has turned to options like Alex Verdugo, signed late in spring training for $1.5 million, and Stuart Fairchild, acquired in a timely trade on March 31, 2025. However, neither matches Profar’s 2024 production, forcing strategic adjustments that could hinder their competitiveness.
Financial Considerations
From a business standpoint, the Braves invested heavily in Profar as their marquee offseason signing. His suspension means a temporary loss of return on that $42 million investment, with no immediate replacement of his caliber available early in the season. The team may also face additional costs for temporary roster fillers, though their payroll flexibility (currently $7 million below the $241 million competitive balance tax threshold) offers some relief.
Public Image and Reputation
Jurickson Profar’s suspension, announced just as the Braves embarked on a series against the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers, poses a public relations challenge. The team issued a statement expressing surprise and disappointment while affirming support for MLB’s drug program, signaling a commitment to integrity. Managing fan and sponsor perceptions will be key as they weather this setback.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
Profar has not indicated plans to contest the suspension, accepting MLB’s decision in his statement. However, if he or the MLB Players Association believed the test was flawed, they could pursue arbitration, though no such action has emerged as of April 1, 2025. The Braves, meanwhile, have no clear legal recourse to void the contract unless further violations occur.
Ethically, Profar’s PED use—intentional or not—raises questions about fairness in baseball. His suspension reinforces MLB’s commitment to a level playing field, but it also places the Braves in a delicate position as they balance support for their player with league standards. The incident may fuel broader discussions about PED enforcement and player accountability.
Wrap Up
Jurickson Profar’s suspension for testing positive for hCG highlights the complex interplay between player conduct, contractual obligations, and broader implications for teams and leagues. His three-year, $42 million contract with the Braves remains binding, though he’ll forfeit $5.8 million in 2025 salary and miss the postseason, affecting both his finances and the team’s outlook. As the Braves adjust to his absence and Profar prepares for a midseason return, this case underscores the high stakes of adhering to MLB’s conduct standards—and the steep consequences of violations.
Understanding these implications is crucial for players, teams, and fans alike. As the situation unfolds, it will be fascinating to see how Profar rebuilds his career, how the Braves adapt, and what this means for the future of professional sports contracts.
