Jarred Kelenic

There was initially optimism that Acuna could return before Opening Day after he suffered his torn ACL, but that has faded, and now the outfielder is all but assuredly going to open the 2025 season on the 10-day injured list. With the former MVP sidelined, it's expected that Jarred Kelenic and Bryan De La Cruz will split time in right field with newly-signed Jurickson Profar handling left field and Michael Harris lined up in center. Even with the missed month, Acuna is well worth a (relatively) early draft selection this spring.

Profar will earn $12 million for the 2025 season and $15 million in each of the next two years. The 31-year-old outfielder will step in as the Braves' regular left fielder, joining Michael Harris and Ronald Acuna Jr. to form one of the most dynamic outfields in all of baseball. His arrival (and Acuna's return) will drastically cut into the playing time for both Jarred Kelenic and Bryan De La Cruz. Profar was one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 fantasy baseball season and he could reach new heights in 2025 with a stronger supporting cast around him.

No word yet on the financials or the terms of the contract, but it's a terrific addition for the Braves. The 31-year-old resurrected his career with the Padres in 2024, slashing .280/.380/.459 with 24 homers, 85 RBI and 10 stolen bases across a career-high 668 plate appearances. Profar's arrival will likely push Jarred Kelenic back to a short-side platoon role once Ronald Acuna Jr. is up and running and will also block the playing time of Bryan De La Cruz.

Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal Constitution adds that it'll be a three-year, $42 million pact. The 31-year-old resurrected his career with the Padres in 2024, slashing .280/.380/.459 with 24 homers, 85 RBI and 10 stolen bases across a career-high 668 plate appearances. Profar's arrival will likely push Jarred Kelenic back to a short-side platoon role once Ronald Acuna Jr. is up and running and will also block the playing time of Bryan De La Cruz.

Kelenic had a nice June, but he was otherwise a bust for the Braves last season, hitting .231/.286/.393 in 449 plate appearances while mostly sitting out against lefties and playing mediocre defense in left field. He's still just 25, but there just isn't much to be encouraged about here. While he'll open up as a starting outfielder this season, the Braves are still looking for help there, and whoever they come up with might prove to be a better option than Kelenic in left once Ronald Acuna Jr. returns.