One of the last pieces of the intricate puzzle of the off-season Parents it may have clicked into place. San Diego seems to have strengthened its bank on Friday, after reaching an agreement to the Curaçao utility and free agent Jurickson Profar, the sources said. The club has not yet confirmed the signature, which is and will be pending physical examinations for three years and worth US $ 21 milliona source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.
Profar spent the 2020 season in San Diego, hitting .278 / .343 / .428 while playing defensively in five different positions, mainly on left field after Tommy Pham was injured. The 27-year old switch hitter is entering his eighth Major League-season, the first five of which were in Texas. He last came to San Diego off-season in a deal that sent catcher Austin Allen to the track and field.
The kind Profar quickly became a favorite at the San Diego clubhouse, making it clear that he is ready for any role. That’s important because spring training should return Pham to full power and the Padres return to all eight positions. Plus, they drew tool infielder Ha-Seong Kim from Korea earlier this month.
That doesn’t seem to leave any bats available for Profar. But he’s a switch hitter who can basically play anywhere on the field and in the infield. The Padres are confident they will find play time for him.
Corner gardeners Pham and Wil Myers have dealt with their share of ailments over the years, and Profar offers valuable insurance. More so, it should allow manager Jayce Tingler to rest Pham or Myers when he sees fit, possibly against hard right-handers. Profar could also serve as Pham’s defensive replacement in left field, as he did during the 2020 postseason.
In any case, the Profar acquisition likely completes what should become a powerful San Diego bank.
AJ Cassavell / MLB.com