One of the last pieces of the intricate low season puzzle of the pairs may have fit in place. San Diego appears to have strengthened its big bank on Friday, after reaching an agreement to bring back the utility curazoleño and free agent Jurickson Profar, sources said. The club has not yet confirmed the signing, which is pending physical examinations and will be for three years and worth $ 21 million, A source told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
Profar spent the 2020 season in San Diego, beating 278/343/428 while playing in five different defensive positions, mostly in the left field after Tommy Pham was injured. The 27-year-old ambidextrous hitter is entering his eighth Major League season, the first five of which came to Texas. He arrived in San Diego last low season in a deal that sent receiver Austin Allen to the Athletics.
The affable Profar quickly became a favorite at the San Diego clubhouse, making it clear that he is willing to play any role. This is important, because Pham should regain all his strength for spring training, and the Fathers return to the starting lineup in all eight positions. In addition, they signed the infielder with Ha-Seong Kim tools from Korea earlier this month.
This would not seem to leave bat turns available for Profar. But he is an ambidextrous hitter who can play basically anywhere on the field and in the box. Parents are confident they will find playing time for him.
Corner gardeners Pham and Wil Myers have struggled with their share of illness over the years, and Profar offers valuable insurance. More than that, he should allow manager Jayce Tingler to rest Pham or Myers when he sees fit, potentially against tough right-handers. Profar could also serve as a defensive replacement for Pham in the left field, as he did during the 2020 postseason.
In any case, the acquisition of Profar probably completes what should be a powerful bank in San Diego.
AJ Cassavell / MLB.com