Who is Jurickson Profar, the free agent linked to the Yankees?

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With spring training set to start in less than a month, the Yankees are reportedly looking for a free agent to man their left field. MLB insider Jon Morosi says that the Yankees are “keeping an eye” on Jurickson Profar, who is arguably the best free-agent outfielder left. All that they want is the right price to make a move.

Jurickson Profar is a nine-year veteran, who turns 30 next month. He hits both left-handed and right-handed and has played every position on defense except pitcher and catcher. The former top prospect for the Rangers just had a great season in San Diego, hitting .243/.331/.391 with a 110 wRC+ and a career-high 2.5 fWAR. Last year, Jurickson Profar played in 152 games, which was a career-high, and hit 15 home runs and scored 82 runs.

Jurickson Profar would be a step up for the Yankees, but he would also cost them something. Morosi claims that Profar wants a two-year deal that will ensure around $15 million per season. Based on how the market for outfielders has changed over the last few months, that seems to be the case. Jurickson Profar is also a client of sports agent Scott Boras, who represents several outfielders assuring them big contracts. This included Brandon Nimmo, who got an eight-year, $162 million deal from the Mets.

Another MLB insider Jon Heyman also made a similar claim linking Jurickson Profar to the Yankees.

According to him:

“The Yankees have talked about signing Jurickson Profar, who is a free agent. But the Yankees are determined (at least for now) to stay under the $293 million “Steve Cohen tax” limit. They have about $290 million. They, too, asked how Josh Harrison was doing.”

If Jurickson Profar agrees to a deal with the Yankees, he would almost certainly be expected to play left field. He has played every position in the infield and outfield over the course of his nine-year career.

Having a player who can play more than one position is a big plus, as Yankees fans saw when Oswaldo Cabrera became a star last season. Jurickson Profar could add to the team’s depth because, even if he plays left field every day, he might need to fill in at shortstop or another infield position sometimes.

Is Jurickson Profar suitable for the Yankees?

At the plate, Jurickson Profar is by no means a power hitter, but he has a lot of potential. As a member of the Texas Rangers, he hit 20 home runs in both 2018 and 2019.

Even though his power numbers went down in 2020 and 2021, he was able to get back on track last year with 15 home runs for the San Diego Padres.

Baseball Savant predicts that Jurickson Profar has the potential to hit 20 homers if he plays at Yankee Stadium. Profar’s sneaky ability to hit home runs could be a plus. With both Profar and Cabrera on the team, the Yankees would look more versatile.

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

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