Both the New York Mets and New York Yankees avoided a nightmare scenario this season after an All-Star they were linked to in the winter was just hit with an 80-game ban for PED use.
Before the 2025 MLB season kicked off last week, the Yankees and Mets were very busy improving their roster. The team from Queens made the biggest move of the offseason when they lured Juan Soto away from the Bronx Bombers. They also locked up team-favorite Pete Alonso to a new multi-year contract.
In response, the Pinstripes made a slew of moves, including for stud closer Devin Williams, All-Star pitcher Max Fried, and one-time NL MVP Cody Bellinger. However, early in the new year, they were both linked to All-Star Jurickson Profar. The Mets had him in mind as a potential option in the outfield, while he was seen as a fix for the Yankees at either second or third following a career year.
Neither team landed the 12-year veteran, and instead, he signed with the Atlanta Braves. Well, it looks like the New York clubs avoided what is quickly turning into a very bad contract.
Jurickson Profar hit with 80 game ban for PED use
“We were surprised and extremely disappointed to learn that Jurickson Profar tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance in violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program,” the Braves said in a statement on Monday. “We fully support the Program and are hopeful that Jurickson will learn from this experience.”
Atlanta gave the 32-year-old a three-year, $42 million in January. Profar had been an average hitter for much of his career. But posted career-high numbers in average, on-base percentage, slugging, and on-base plus slugging in 2024. Now, one must wonder if that breakout season was enhanced the whole time.
It is possible he returns and puts up similar numbers to last season. It is also very possible he regresses to the hitter most MLB fans are familiar with. And that is one not worthy of a $42 million contract. With both the Mets and Yankees payrolls among the highest in the sport, they lucked out by passing on a strong pursuit of Profar this offseason.
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