Jurickson Profar finally put it all together.
The free agent outfielder hopes his next contract is a just reward.
More news: Baseball Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson Dies at 65
Profar, 31, was a career .238/.322/.383 hitter before rewarding the San Diego Padres with a .280/.280/.459 season in 2024. One of baseball's top prospects a decade ago, Profar made his first career All-Star team in his 11th major league season.
According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, Profar is "looking for a deal in the three-year-plus range." It's not an unreasonable ask for a player who will turn 32 in February and could be closer to his peak than most players his age.
More news: Mets Owner Steve Cohen Offers Huge Update on Pete Alonso Contract Negotiations
MLB.com recently listed Profar among "5 free agents who should be generating more buzz." Writes Thomas Harrigan:
Profar not only refined his approach at the plate, recording the lowest chase (21.9%) and whiff (17.0%) rates of his big league tenure, but also did more damage on contact than ever before. Six of the eight hardest batted balls of Profar's career came in 2024, while his average exit velocity (91.1 mph), hard-hit rate (44.4%) and barrel rate (7.2%) also surged to personal-best levels. Those figures suggest Profar's breakout wasn't just a fluke — it was the product of tangible adjustments that hint at a sustainable evolution in his game.
Harrigan also notes that Profar's 139 wRC+ ranked 15th in the majors, ahead of perennial All-Stars such as Francisco Lindor, Freddie Freeman and Rafael Devers. So why isn't he generating more buzz?
More news: Dodgers, Blue Jays Have Made Dueling Offers to All-Star: Report
"Buzz" is often a function of a player's market size — San Diego is the nation's 30th-largest — and sometimes his agent's willingness to be open with reporters about where negotiations stand. Each could help explain why Profar's market appears quiet.
It could also be that teams are skeptical Profar can sustain his improvements from 2024 into the next three years "plus."
More news: Former Major League Pitcher, 35, Reportedly Dies in Car Accident
Free agent outfielder Teoscar Hernández is a similar age (he turned 32 in October) and is seeking a three-year contract of at least $66 million. He's received three-year offers from the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays. Doug McKain of Dodgers Nation reported that the Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies have also been in the picture.
Why hasn't Profar been linked to an offer? One possibility: his most logical fit is San Diego, where Profar has produced the two best seasons of his career and would leave a giant hole in left field if he departs.
More news: One NL Contender Appears Out of Roki Sasaki Sweepstakes
Yet the Padres are reportedly trying not to add to their payroll in advance of the 2025 season. Infielders Luis Arraez and Jake Cronenworth both available via trade, according to Passan, among other players.
Profar should have no shortage of suitors in free agency but, as of yet, it's unclear which teams are willing to engage him on favorable or even acceptable terms.
For more MLB news, visit Newsweek Sports.
English (US) ·