Remember the mess that happened with Jurickson Profar just two weeks back? He got hit with an 80-game PED suspension! And well, it turns out that the bombshell of news isn’t done echoing through the MLB just yet. This time, former MLB All-Star Eric Hosmer is stirring the pot again.

Well, Profar, who signed a $42 million deal with the Atlanta Braves after a career-best in San Diego, tested positive for hCG. It is a banned performance-enhancing substance, and hence, as a result, he has been benched for half the season. And this news simply shook the team, who were already struggling in the absence of Ronald Acuña Jr.

Atlanta, though, moved on and added Stuart Fairchild in the mix. However, putting salt on the Braves fans’ bleeding hearts is Hosmer, who brought out the PED topic and didn’t hold back on what really should happen with such users. He is actively lobbying for the league and the union to severely stiffen the penalties for PED-using players by voiding their guaranteed contracts, regarding them as “the only way to clean up the game“.

Hosmer, as per USA Today, took such a hard stance on his ‘Diggin Deep’ podcast in a bid to mop up baseball from the inside. “The only way this game gets cleaned up and these guys don’t risk 80-game suspensions for another couple years on the back end is to take away guaranteed money… If you tell me I’ve got $110 million on the line for these next three years and I could possibly lose that, I’m not even thinking (about risking a suspension),” said the former first baseman.

But well, the players union isn’t on board with this flamethrower statement. According to the union, it can also become a loophole for teams, in which contracts can be voided. Teams might find ways to make a player test positive and get out of a big money deal. Now it does seem like a far-fetched thing; however, there are stranger things that have happened. Still, Hosmer’s point does stand out, given the current system, which lets one keep the cash even after getting caught juicing.

Profar, meanwhile, just played four games for the Braves before his suspension kicked in. And just a suspension is clearly not sitting well with a lot of people – especially veterans who feel PEDs taint the game. But Profar has since tried to make amends for the entire ordeal.

Jurickson Profar swiftly apologizes after his suspension

Now Profar didn’t wait to break his silence on the assessment. Just hours after the news broke, the outfielder came forward with an apology. In a statement released by MLB Players Association, Profar said, “This is the most difficult day of my baseball career. There is nothing I love more than competing with my teammates and being a fan favorite. I want to apologize to the entire Braves organization, my teammates, and the fans.” However, as far as using the PEDs goes, he insisted that he never did anything knowingly.

Profar mentioned that his love for the game and respect for the sport are too much for him to cheat. He talked about how he has been tested his entire career but never once tested positive until now. But Profar admitted: “I take full responsibility and accept MLB’s decision.” But his apology wouldn’t stop the bleeding for his team. Profar will be ineligible to serve in postseason play. And he won’t be in the lineup until June 29th!

The Atlanta Braves invested in a player who they trusted. Someone who put up lights-out performance with 24 homers, 85 RBIs, and All-Star nods in 2024. Now it all just looks like a sham! In fact, Bob Nightengale pointed out the same saying. “Atlanta, who spent most of their money on outfielder Jurickson Profar this winter with a three-year, $42 million contract, now has to wonder if they were scammed.” Brian Snitker, though, didn’t offer much detail about how he feels. He simply said, “He hated it, and we hate it for him.” They are now leaning in on the next-man mentality, and you can’t really blame him.

And it’s also not just Profar falling from grace—on the short list of players. There are even top prospects like Noelvi Marté and Orelvis Martínez. Maybe what Hosmer is suggesting is not far-fetched at all. Maybe that stance is what’s needed to put an end to this. What do you think?