JURICKSON PROFAR TESTED POSITIVE FOR PEDS....A SECOND TIME!

Here we go....again. The new face of cheating and stupid choices is Jurickson Profar after testing positive for performance enhancing drugs a SECOND time. So much for the "I would never willingly take a banned substance," speech he gave us in March of 2025 after accepting his 80 game suspension.

This is a real problem in Rob Manfred's world. Major League baseball officially announced a 162 game suspension for Profar. The Atlanta Braves now how to figure out how and when they add to their team now that Profar will not be a factor. Losing Profar is a big blow for Atlanta after a disappointing injury riddled 2025 season and then they had a very quiet winter. They were counting on Profar adding some stability to the lineup. In addition to missing the 2026 season, Profar will not be allowed to participate in the World Baseball Classic and represent the Netherlands. Play stupid games....win stupid prizes, Profar.

Testing once is bad, but this is now the second positive test in two years. It's a huge black mark to add to Manfred's already messy record. It's even uglier when Profar claimed he was innocent the first time around. Clearly, he hasn't learned anything or he's just too stupid to think he would never be caught again. It's bad enough we still have guys like Jenrry Mejia and Alex Rodriguez to talk about and remember.....but now we get one more moron to add to the list.

How much more of this do we have to endure in baseball? Seriously, it's frustrating to watch this continue to happen with just a slap on the wrist for Profar and the backing of the Players Association who are reportedly filing a grievance to challenge his suspension which is stupid. Profar doesn't need to be defended. He needs to admit he screwed up again, and take his punishment like a man. He was caught cheating twice. Years ago he was the top prospect in all of baseball, but obviously he couldn't make it on just his talents. This should not be overlooked, but this is Manfred's world so it will. 

I'm sick of this. All I keep hearing is "if he does it again he is banned for life!" and that's not the answer. We shouldn't accept that and make that a normal reaction. Guys like Profar ruin the integrity of the game and then fans like me get mad hearing about it after we see teams through stupid amounts of money to put them on their teams and play....which we also end up paying for in the grand scheme of things.

When it comes to cheating - it shouldn't be a "three strikes and you are out" ruling. This isn't a plate appearance. This is a bad choice in your job that is a massive character flaw. It's just a bigger mess in Manfred's circus and I am tired of it!

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

THE END OF VERDUGO THIS SEASON?

Wow!

The Braves have designated Alex Verdugo for assignment to make room for Jurickson Profar, and all I can think is: how did we get here? How did he get here?

Verdugo is 29. That’s not old. That’s not “washed.” That’s “should still be slugging doubles into the gap and firing missiles from right field” territory. But here we are, DFA’d in July like he’s just some roster filler, and not the passionate, fiery outfielder who once carried himself like he belonged in the thick of every big moment.

And yeah, let’s not pretend this is actually the end. This league has seen worse players get third, fourth, and fifth chances. But it feels like the end right now, and that’s the problem. Because Verdugo isn’t some lazy journeyman who never gave a damn. He cared. You could see it in the way he played—when he was allowed to just play. This is a guy who has always brought energy to the field. A gamer. A spark plug. A guy who clearly loves the grind.

And yet somehow, the Yankees got ahold of him and—poof—he's unraveling like a loose thread on a 99-dollar replica jersey.

Remember when he was the Dodgers’ top prospect? Remember when Boston flipped Mookie Betts for him? It didn’t pan out in Boston. He clashed with Alex Cora, sure—but "lack of hustle?" Come on. I rip guys who don’t hustle. Just ask Robinson Cano (read HERE). Ask Anthony Volpe (read HERE). But Verdugo? He was never the problem.

Then came the trade to New York. The pinstripes. The “fresh start.” Except… was it really? Or was it just another case of this black hole of a franchise chewing up another guy who actually plays with heart?

In 197 plate appearances this season with the Braves, Verdugo slashed .239/.296/.585. No home runs. 12 RBIs. Not good. But you don’t go from promising outfielder to DFA’d by two teams without something deeper being wrong. And no, I don’t think it’s Verdugo. I think it’s the Yankees. They turned him into a shell of the player we once saw as a clubhouse energizer and everyday guy. They stuck him in a lineup with zero identity and a manager who couldn’t lead a jog around the block, let alone a major league clubhouse. I say it jokingly, because that's where he seemed to vanish.

So yeah, I feel for Verdugo. I hope he latches on somewhere—hell, maybe I’ll wake up tomorrow after dreaming that the Yankees bring him back on a minor league deal, he starts raking, gets called up, goes full October legend and leads us to a ring.

And then I’ll write that piece, happily. But don’t worry—I’ll still say Boone sucks. Because no matter who’s in the dugout or on the field, that part hasn’t changed.

I hope Alex latches on somewhere.

ALEX VERDUGO MAY GET HIS SHOT

What an incredible turn of events for Alex Verdugo! The Atlanta Braves just got hit with some unexpected news—outfielder Jurickson Profar has been suspended for 80 games after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. Major League Baseball made the official announcement, with reporter Mike Rodriguez breaking the initial story that Profar’s positive test would lead to a lengthy suspension. 

Profar had just signed a hefty three-year, $42 million contract with Atlanta, but now he’s set to miss half of the 2025 season due to his use of hCG, a testosterone-boosting substance.

While this is certainly a major shake-up for the Braves, it could turn out to be an incredible opportunity for none other than Alex Verdugo! The former Yankees outfielder, who played a pivotal role in New York’s run to the 2024 World Series, was surprisingly left on the free-agent market far longer than expected. But the Braves saw his potential and scooped him up on March 20th with a minor-league deal worth $1.5 million.

Now, with Profar out of the lineup, Verdugo could be on the fast track to a starting role in Atlanta! According to Athlon Sports, "Verdugo was assigned to Triple-A Gwinnett following his signing, but may get a call up to the big leagues in the wake of this announcement." That prediction is looking more and more likely by the minute!

Verdugo brings solid defense, a fiery competitive spirit, and the kind of postseason experience that can make a real impact for a team aiming for another deep playoff run. His journey has been full of surprises, but this twist could be the perfect setup for him to shine on baseball’s biggest stage once again.

Stay tuned, because this Braves outfield situation just got a whole lot more interesting—and Alex Verdugo might just be the one to benefit the most!

TEAMS ARE CLOSING IN ON VERDUGO

Remember the spark Alex Verdugo brought to the Yankees early on? We all loved it! His energy was electric, the kind of vibe you wish you could bottle up. But let’s be honest, the flame kind of fizzled as the season went on... we all saw it live. Still, Verdugo remains a solid player with loads to prove. If you haven’t already, check out our piece I LOVE THE BALLS ON ALEX VERDUGO on Bleeding Yankee Blue. It's a must-read!

Now, here’s the juicy part: a couple of teams are really starting to sniff around Verdugo, eager to bring his spark to their roster.

The San Diego Padres are predicted to be in the mix for Verdugo. After a somewhat disappointing offseason, missing out on stars like Roki Sasaki and Tanner Scott (ouch), they’re keen to make some moves. Losing out to their NL West rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers, stings a bit, doesn’t it? I still think the Dodgers did something shady. Maybe that's just me.

The Padres are in a bit of a belt-tightening phase, saying “no thanks” to Jurickson Profar. That leaves some space in their outfield, and Verdugo could be the perfect fit. An affordable left-handed bat? Yes, please!

But hold up—the Pirates might just be the best fit for Verdugo. Pittsburgh is brewing something interesting with Andrew McCutchen’s return, and Verdugo could be the cherry on top. He’s still young, has a decent postseason resume, and won’t break the bank. A one-year deal could be just what the Pirates need and exactly what Verdugo wants to prove his worth.

So, stay tuned—wherever Verdugo lands, he’s sure to bring the energy we all know and appreciate.

THAT "JURICKSON PROFAR TO THE YANKEES" RUMOR HAS NEW LIFE TO IT!

The Yankees have made a lot of nice moves this winter, but the infield has a lot of question marks still. I've been thinking that Jazz Chisholm Jr is going to slide over to second base, but there's new buzz on social media that suggests that might not be the case.

Last year the Yankees were connected to Jurickson Profar a lot, and now those rumors have reunited again, and I am totally behind it. I like the idea of Profar's potent bat in our lineup. The switch-hitting Profar could slide nicely into left field, but he could also go back to where he started his career, the infield. This is where I see the Yankees interest growing. As much as I love DJ LeMahieu, he's no longer an everyday player and we can't rely on him. So the Yankees can play Jazz at third, and Profar can take second base and the outfield when needed.

It's not a farfetched idea, SI.com was talking about it last night, check it out HERE. I think it's a brilliant idea, but I am not sure the Yankees will go for it. In addition to DJ, the Yankees also have Oswaldo Cabrera and Ben Rice on the roster to deal with. It certainly creates a log jam of infielders, no matter how much I drool over this idea.

But, as they say "never say never," because anything could happen. Profar just had a breakout season with the Padres posting career best numbers and was named an All-Star for the first time. The Padres are rumored to be interested in reuniting with Profar, but there are two days left in 2024. Every day that he remains a free agent, the better the odds are that he ends up with a new team. To make matters worse, Profar's agent is Scott Boras so, we all know Boras is going to play every angle he can for Profar....so going back to San Diego could be a pipedream.

The Yankees have rebounded nicely since Juan Soto left for that other New York team. I like the moves they have made. I think Profar could really push them over the edge. It might be a long shot, but I love all of the possibilities with this.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

THREE NAMES STILL CONNECTED TO THE YANKEES

If there’s one thing Yankees GM Brian Cashman knows how to do, it’s steal the spotlight during the offseason...especially this year. The man is cooking right now, making bold moves and keeping the Yankees firmly in the conversation for dominance in 2025. And guess what? He might not be done yet.

Anthony Santander

The Yankees have reportedly kept tabs on Anthony Santander, a 30-year-old switch-hitting outfielder with serious pop. Last season, Santander crushed 44 homers and drove in 102 RBIs for the Orioles, and while his .235 average might not dazzle, his power is undeniable. Sure, he’s a below-average defender, but Yankee Stadium’s short porch in right is practically built for his bat. Santander is looking for a five-year, $90 million deal, which might feel steep, but Cashman’s been known to work some magic.

The Yankees aren’t the only team eyeing Santander—divisional rivals like the Red Sox and Blue Jays are also sniffing around. But let’s be real: Wouldn’t it be poetic to steal one of Baltimore’s best sluggers?

And don’t sleep on Carlos Baerga’s take who is a former MLB player and now insider. He believes Santander and the Yankees are a perfect match, and he wouldn’t be surprised if a deal gets done soon.

Jurickson Profar

Meanwhile, Cashman isn’t putting all his eggs in one basket. The Yankees have also expressed interest in Jurickson Profar, who, at 31, is coming off an All-Star season. Profar hit .280 with 24 homers and 85 RBIs in 2024 while flashing solid defense in left field. 

Once hailed as the top prospect in baseball, Profar has had a rollercoaster career, but his resurgence last season makes him an appealing option for a Yankees squad looking to bolster their outfield.

Alex Verdugo

But wait, there’s more! NJ.com’s Randy Miller floated the idea of bringing back Alex Verdugo on a one-year deal. Verdugo, a Gold Glove finalist in 2024, would add defensive stability and a solid bat to the Yankees’ lineup. While he’s not the flashiest after last season, Verdugo’s versatility and postseason experience make him an intriguing short-term solution. Plus, he's a great teammate.

Adding a slugger like Santander, a versatile player like Profar, or even a defensive ace like Verdugo could put the team in prime position to dominate the AL East in 2025.

Whatever happens next, one thing is clear: Brian Cashman is running this offseason like a boss. Yankees fans, buckle up—this ride is just getting started.

JURICKSON PROFAR: LAST LEFT FIELDER STANDING?

Will the Yankees fill the left fielder hole with Juriskson Profar? That's the big question and every publication has talked about this connection for the past week.

The Score writes about it. The idea would be the sign him but it's gotta be under that luxury tax, which could be hard. They write:

"New York is insistent on not going over the "Steve Cohen" luxury-tax threshold of $293 million to sign the 29-year-old, Heyman adds. The Yankees' payroll is sitting around $290 million.

Profar appeared in a career-high 152 games for the San Diego Padres last season, his third with them. The switch-hitter slashed .243/.331/.391 with 15 home runs, 36 doubles, and 58 RBIs with 140 hits."

Now look, the Yanks have Aaron Hicks, Aaron Judge, Harrison Bader and even Oswaldo Cabrera for the outfield. They also signed a bunch of guys to minor league deals and they're probably gonna duke it out for a bench role. But there is always this intriguing idea of Profar. 

The Yankees have been connected to Profar before you know. Back in 2015, BYB wrote about their need for the shortstop and Profar was one for the Rangers back then. Read YANKEE TARGET: JURICKSON PROFAR for a trip down memory lane.

These days Profar is a nimble outfielder, but will he come at a low cost and be immediately placed on the Major League roster if he comes to New York? We will have to see.

Fun stuff. Let's see what happens next.

HOMER HAPPY, BUT FALLING SHORT

Photo: Getty Images

It was a good game full of suspense, and in the end it was clear, our bullpen isn't the best in the league.  Whatever... it was a good fight and kind of exciting.  We can't win all 162...but damn... we're trying and I like that.

Bryan Hoch of MLB.com writes:

Photo: Getty Images

"Gleyber Torres and Aaron Judge highlighted a four-homer barrage that presented another assault on the record books, but Jurickson Profar's bases-clearing double held up as the difference as the Rangers edged the Yankees in a wild 12-10 slugfest on Wednesday evening at Globe Life Park. Profar's big hit came off of David Robertson in the sixth inning, restoring Texas' lead after Torres and Judge homered in a six-run fifth that seemed to put the game away.

Instead, New York completed its three-city road trip by dropping two of three contests to the cellar-dwelling Rangers, coughing up leads of four and five runs."

Photo: Getty Images

DRob felt terrible about it.  I feel terrible about him feeling terrible. He didn't have his stuff.  Some nights lately, he's been really struggling.  Not sure if it's in his head or he's doing something wonky with his mechanics.  I do know this, our bullpen needs to snap out of it.  And quick.  You have an offense that is constantly battling. Having a solid pen would be a nice compliment.

Look, the Yanks have been playing great baseball.  I'm mad, but not angry about this one, it happens.  We just need to come back hard in our next series.  I have a hunch we will.

YANKEES ARE REPORTEDLY PUSHING FOR PROFAR

Source: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images North America

We hear about the "Yankees connected to Rangers prospect Juriskson Profar" all the time. But this time it seems more serious.

This is the latest on this rumor, courtesy of the New York Post and Joel Sherman:

"The Yankees are still trying to make a trade or two before the Monday deadline to freeze 40-man rosters for December’s Rule 5 draft, and one player who has surprisingly caught their attention is Texas’ Jurickson Profar.

Photo: Getty Images

The Yankees are deep in infield prospects, so there is no obvious place for Profar – once the top prospect in the game – to play.

But it seems the Yankees would be willing to take on a single player with upside and pedigree in exchange for multiple players who are crowding their deep 40-man roster."

Photo: New York Daily News

And so now the question is, will they do something like this.  I mean, we have Didi Gregorius and we love him. We have a ton of great prospects already.  I feel like Cashman is doing this strictly to stock pile, and like Sherman suggests, "...take on a single player with upside and pedigree in exchange for multiple players who are crowding their deep 40-man roster."

Cashman is smarter than all of us.  I am assuming he has a plan.  Whatever it is, and yes, there is no easy fit... the idea of Profar in pinstripes is definitely intriguing.  We shall see...

Happy Friday.

YANKEE TARGET: JURICKSON PROFAR

The Yankees like Rangers shortstop Jurickson Profar.  Remember when they liked Didi Gregorius at shortstop? I guess that's over...well not so fast.

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post:

"Teams have inquired with Texas about Jurickson Profar — the Yankees included...Profar was the consensus No. 1 prospect in the majors going into the 2013 season, but shoulder injuries have kept him from playing in the majors the past two years. He is serving as a DH only in the Arizona Fall League, and scouts who have seen him say he looks fine and has, among other things, slid headfirst into second base...The Yankees would have interest in Profar as a second baseman."

OK, so if the Yankees were to pursue him, they would make him their second baseman, no doubt leaving either Dustin Ackley or Rob Refsnyder as the backup, and the other, no doubt traded. Especially because Brian Cashman pretty much said if there's a good trade idea out there, we'll make it and no one is safe, or, something like that.

Anyway, it's a tiny nugget, but an interesting one. Not much more on it right now. If there is action, you will hear it here on BYB.

DAVID ROBERTSON: DAYS OF FUTURE'S PAST

It has been six years since Mariano Rivera retired. Now, on Opening Day, the Yankees have brought back their beloved closer and icon for a fond celebration. Today is Mo Day.

Everything in the Stadium pays tribute to Mariano today. The greatest closer in history. Second to none. Banners hang. Cameras flash. And when it comes to the ninth inning and the entrance of the closer, just for tonight, the Stadium once again plays “Enter Sandman.”

David Robertson is thrilled. Certainly he has long established his own legacy at this point, but who wouldn’t be excited at being compared to Mo? Trotting out of the bullpen to Metallica, as trite as it may sound, is a dream come true.

DRob is firmly on the way to his own spot in history. It is easier to imagine him as one of baseball’s all-time greats now. Cooperstown is a lock. He has had six years to come into his own. He has been nothing but dominant since inheriting the closer’s role.

Back in 2013 he was only just getting started. But even in those days, DRob was showing signs of what would come. His ERA had dropped to 2.39 by midway through that season, down from 2.67 in 2012. He had rung up twice as many wins at the halfway point than the two he had garnered during the entirety of the previous year. He was on track to match his holds totals, if not surpass them.

Off the field, Robertson had become known as the guy who gives back. His “High Socks for Hope” had helped bring relief to Oklahoma and had continued to help communities around the nation and the world. He didn’t shy away from media. He calmly projected a cool, professional, and fearless air.

Now a cornerstone of the Yankees, Robertson was instrumental in drawing talent to the Bronx and making them comfortable. Matt Harvey, Mike Trout, and Jurickson Profar all swore by the steadying presence of the League’s premiere reliever. They repeatedly cited Robertson as a major plus to their becoming Yankees.

Enough woolgathering now. It is time to get to work. Metallica cuts out. DRob looks up to see perennial All Star Bryce Harper at the plate. Harper doesn’t look nearly as cocky facing Robertson as he does with everyone else.

“Hello, Bryce”, DRob mutters. He does not smile. He keeps his eyes locked on to the strike zone. He uncoils his arm and throws…

 
Chad R. MacDonald
BYB Writer
Facebook: New York Yankees the Home of Champions
My Blog: ChadRants


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