This week’s mailbag includes coverage of Jurickson Profar’s PED suspension and how the Braves can make up for it, the potential embarrassment of the White Sox’ infield riches, the Mariners’ rotation depth, and more.
Jeff asks.
Where to go after news of Profar discontinuation? Who is available and what is the transaction price?
Morris asks:
Thank you again for your reader mailbag. I wish my question came from a better situation. Let’s get the Braves’ elephant, Jurickson Profar, out of the way.
We don’t need to get into the weeds about suspensions. I choose to be an optimist here. So let me politely discuss the situation. I see this development as lineup flexibility. The Yaz signing looks great, and I think with Eli White as the primary bencher, the LHH platoon placement isn’t as bad as some people fear.
But it’s also salary flexibility. We “saved” $18 million in commitments and taxes this season. How should AA distribute the money? Can we get Giolito or Littell for around $10 million a year? Or is that money now just dry powder for a possible deal?
Lastly, should Profar be cut this offseason? I’m assuming he’s probably done in MLB after this, but I know he’s still owed money on his 2027 contract, but if I were AA, I’d be willing to eat that money to make room for a trustworthy guy who wouldn’t pose these kinds of clubhouse issues.
I remember thinking it was a little unnecessary for the Braves to bring in Mike Yastrzemski in December. However, considering Profar’s suspension, the move looks smart. Yaz’s expected platoon partner appears to be Eli White.
White spent all of 2025 in the majors, earning a utility role with the Braves out of camp. The 31-year-old had 271 plate appearances and had regular duties for about a month until Ronald Acuña Jr. returned from the IL. About 35% of his PAs came against left-handers, with White posting a league-average 100 wRC+ and even hitting five home runs against lefties Brent Suter, Jeffrey Springs, Shota Imanaga, Colton Gordon, and Jose A. Ferrer.
White logged more minutes in the minor leagues in 2023 and 2024. Baseball-Reference has unfortunately decided to stop providing minor league splits, so we can tell you how White has hit against left-handers at all levels. He managed a .281/.337/.494 line against left-handers in 98 PA in 2024 and .258/.365/.581 in 74 PA in 2023. so there small A bit of data to suggest that White can. maybe Become Yastrzemski’s proper short-range platoon partner. What about external options?
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