On Tuesday, Jeff Passan reported that Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar will be suspended 162 games for a second PED ban. In what is disaster news and a headache for Atlanta, the one bright side for the Braves is that they will be freeing up nearly $15 million from Profar’s 2026 base salary.
The Braves, who have been dealt tough injury *and suspension* news before the 2026 season has even begun, could use this newfound cash to go out and acquire a top arm through MLB free agency. One potential target the Braves are being urged to go out and sign is Lucas Giolito.
More MLB on Heavy: Braves Trade Pitch Lands Marinersâ $108 Million All-Star Starter for Sean Murphy
Where Will Lucas Giolito Sign?
GettyThe Braves are being predicted to sign Lucas Giolito
It’s now March, and Lucas Giolito has yet to sign with a MLB organization. There also haven’t been many reports about what teams are interested in Giolito and where he may sign.
Although injuries have been a part of his career, Lucas Giolito would be a good arm for the Braves to make a contract offer to. He spent his 2025 season with the Boston Red Sox and posted an ERA of 3.41 over 141 innings and 26 starts. Giolito missed the end of the Red Sox season, which might be why he hasn’t inked a deal yet, but that’s a strong earned run average mark for 145 innings of work.
Robert Murray of Fansided.com is urging the Braves to ink Giolito to a deal after the “headache” news of Jurickson Profar being suspended in back-to-back seasons:
“Theyâd automatically raise the floor, as well as the upside, of the rotation. In Giolitoâs case, heâs coming off a season in which he posted a 3.41 ERA and is now two years removed from reconstructive elbow surgery. Besides, both players would help protect against injuries during the regular season as well, something that Anthopoulos knows all too well from recent injury-ridden seasons.”
More MLB on Heavy: Braves Predicted to Trade for 35-Home Run Outfielder After Jurickson Profar News
What Could the Braves Sign Lucas Giolito For?
While the market appears to be limited for Lucas Giolito at this moment, the Atlanta Braves, with their new cash flow, could sign the former White Sox All-Star starter to a one-year, $20 million deal.
According to Spotrac, Lucas Giolito’s market value projects him to earn a $20 million AAV salary.
At this point, since he remains unsigned, a multi-year deal may be unlikely, but Atlanta could and should look to bring him in for one season to help with the pitching staff depth issues.
And considering his market has drawn out this long, the Braves might even be able to get a discount on Giolito and sign him in the $12-15 million range.
More MLB on Heavy: BREAKING: Jurickson Profar Facing 162-Game Suspension for PED Use
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Braves Urged to Make $20 Million Decision on All-Star Starter After Profar Incident appeared first on Heavy Sports.