We’re halfway through June and the Atlanta Braves are 69 games into the 2025 season. While heading into Sunday’s game against the Colorado Rockies, they were sitting at 31-38. Clearly, the team is underperforming. With the trade deadline looming, June might be the month that will determine if the Braves will be the buyers or the sellers this time.
The Braves currently hold third place in the NL East. They are 13 games behind the New York Mets. That does sound alarming at first go but wait, the Braves are still holding tight within eight games of the top wild card spot. But there’s a catch. If the Braves are willing to stay on the postseason path, they need to start stacking wins.
But the odds of that happening are thin given their current performance. So, naturally, it all came down to how the Braves and most importantly their GM, Alex Anthopoulos, will be approaching the upcoming trade deadline.
As revealed by MLB insider Bob Nightengale, Anthopoulos’ stance is clear: “GMs who have spoken to Atlanta recently are convinced that Alex Anthopoulos has zero interest in giving up players for prospects at the trade deadline.” He wants the Braves to go all in and be aggressive at this deadline. Be it anything whatsoever—“making changes or making trades,” Anthopoulos is ready for it all. “We’re gonna do that,” he said.
A name that was recalled in this trade buzz was Sean Murphy. His value is enough to get a potential player in return. But then again, the uncertainty still looms if the Braves will be ready to part ways with him.
While speaking with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, he admitted that he has been “more active” this time than ever before. “When you’re not playing well, you have to look at yourself and say, what can I do?” He added. So, since Anthopoulos confirmed that he’s going to be aggressive this time, it led the Braves’ nation to believe that the team isn’t going to be a seller.
He’ll be exploring options to improve the team. Just so you know, the Braves’ bullpen and offense at this point need some serious fixing. The only silver lining is Jurickson Profar’s return to the lineup.
Profar’s return in the Braves lineup
Well, if you’ve been keeping tabs, you’d know how Jurickson Profar had been out since March. He tested positive for a banned substance named Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG). Well, as bad as it sounds, this PED suspension also cost him $5.8 million out of his $12 million salary. In fact, he will also be ineligible for the playoffs.
Now, it has come to light that Profar is returning soon to the Braves’ lineup. But yes, that doesn’t mean he will be playing in the postseason. That is unfortunate, but it is the price he had to pay when he got suspended. Braves’ manager Brian Snitker confirmed this Friday that Profar will be eligible to play in the minor leagues. It’s starting as soon as Tuesday. It will help him to set a tone before his eligible return date—July 2.
Yes, it initially came out that Profar is expected to return on 29 June. However, it got delayed to July 2 because of weather condition delays in minor league games. His absence seemed more far-fetched because it wasn’t an 80-day suspension. It was an 80-game suspension.
His return might finally help the Braves to perform better. The team expects him to be ready for full nine-inning games. They are planning to make him ready for the same. Well, this season, he could only play four games for the Braves. So, there’s not much that can be said for his regular season performance. But his spring training numbers were just fine. His batting average was .250 and .775 OPS.
On a concerning side, it can’t be said that Profar will be the same as he was before his suspension. Let’s not forget the PED influence on him. Well, even if he returns and plays well, the Braves still need some fixing. For the same reason, they will probably be the buyers this time.
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