Braves urged to sign $5M former MVP, 5-time All-Star, Gold Glove winner to replace Jurickson Profar originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Atlanta Braves are under the microscope again after news broke Tuesday morning that Jurickson Profar will be suspended for the entire season due to PEDs. The only silver lining for Atlanta is that they will retain the $15 million salary he was owed this season.

“Atlanta Braves designated hitter Jurickson Profar is facing a 162-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug for the second time in the last year, sources told ESPN on Tuesday. Profar, 33, is the sixth player to receive a 162-game ban for PED use since Major League Baseball increased the penalty for two-time offenders to a full season in 2014. He will forfeit the entirety of his $15 million salary,” Passan wrote.

Nothing is finalized with Profar’s suspension as it is currently going through an appeal. One thing is certain: Chris Sale and other Braves players are determined not to let it become a distraction.

“It was tough. Obviously, this time of year, we're all getting prepared for the season, and there's a lot of stuff we've got to do to get prepared, and it's not good news. Not what you want to hear,” Sale said.

FanSided’s Robert Murray believes the Braves should target Andrew McCutchen to replace Profar in left field or at the DH position.

“One option that makes sense is Andrew McCutchen, who seems primed to leave the Pittsburgh Pirates. At 39, he is not the same player he once was. He’s coming off a season in which he hit .239/.333/.367 with a .700 OPS, 13 home runs and 57 RBI. It is clear that he wants to continue playing and sticking in the National League, and having an opportunity to compete against the Pirates after an ugly offseason breakup would surely appeal to him,” Murray wrote.

The Braves now face the need to add an outfielder, or Dominic Smith could end up making the roster as the DH. Smith hasn’t hit consistently over the past couple of seasons, so Atlanta knows they must act quickly.

While Profar could win his appeal, that outcome currently seems unlikely. The safest approach would be to move forward with Profar’s salary to acquire a replacement, but nothing can happen until a final decision is rendered.

More MLB news:

• Braves' Chris Sale delivers honest reaction to Jurickson Profar's 162-game suspension

• Braves urged to make emergency trade for $100M Gold Glover, Silver Slugger to replace Jurickson Profar

• Braves predicted to sign $38M strikeout ace, Cy Young-caliber arm after $15M Jurickson Profar dump

• Braves predicted to replace Jurickson Profar with $5M MVP, 4-time Silver Slugger, 5-time All-Star

• Braves reportedly outbid by Red Sox for $170M flamethrower, Cy Young runner-up, 2X All-Star

• Braves' Jurickson Profar receives major suspension update from MLB insider Ken Rosenthal

• Braves' Jurickson Profar suspension frees $15M for Alex Anthopoulos to make desired move

• Braves predicted to trade for $108M workhorse 3-time All-Star, Cy Young finalist, ship Sean Murphy

• Yankees reportedly attempted to trade for $325M 3-time Silver Slugger to replace Anthony Volpe

• Dodgers predicted to break baseball by trading for $106M duo, Silver Slugger, Gold Glove winner