The Braves are suddenly scrambling after Jurickson Profar received an 80-game suspension for testing positive for Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG). While he can return during the regular season, the bigger blow is his postseason ineligibility, forcing Atlanta to find a replacement for October.
Profar’s suspension will cost him more than $5 million of his $12 million salary this season, according to the Associated Press’ Beth Harris. With a significant hole now in their outfield, the Braves need to explore options quickly.
One intriguing possibility? Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar.
St. Louis has been openly attempting a rebuild, though GM John Mozeliak couldn’t move any significant pieces this past offseason. The Cardinals even engaged in arbitration battles with Nootbaar and Brendan Donovan, with Nootbaar winning his $2.95 million asking price. That financial tension might make him available in a trade.
Nootbaar is off to a hot start this season, going 8-for-19 with two home runs in his first five games. He’d provide immediate help while the Braves also await Ronald Acuña Jr.’s season debut.
What makes Nootbaar particularly appealing is his on-base ability. He’s posted exceptional OBPs of .367 and .342 over the past two seasons. His 2023 stat line (.244/.342/.417/.758 with 12 homers in 348 at-bats) doesn’t tell the complete story of his potential. Despite never hitting more than 14 home runs in a season, his underlying metrics are impressive – he ranked in the 91st percentile for hard-hit rate and 88th percentile for average exit velocity according to Baseball Savant.
Long-term flexibility
The Braves wouldn’t just be getting a stopgap solution. Nootbaar remains under team control through 2027, meaning Atlanta could either keep him as part of their core or flip him in the offseason since they’ve already committed to Profar on a three-year deal.
With the Cardinals potentially motivated to move pieces and the Braves suddenly desperate for outfield help that can contribute in October, this could be a match that makes sense for both sides.
