Jurickson Profar Signs $1 Million Deal with San Diego Padres
In a surprising move, outfielder Jurickson Profar has signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the San Diego Padres. The deal, which includes $1.5 million in incentives based on plate appearances, was reported by Jon Heyman of the NY Post on February 12. Although the team has yet to confirm the signing, it is expected to be finalized pending a physical.
This marks Profar’s second stint with the Padres, as he previously played for the team from 2020-2022. Throughout his career, the 30-year-old has also had stints with the Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, and Colorado Rockies.
Profar had a disappointing 2023 season with the Rockies, where he struggled at the plate. He finished the season with a slash line of .236/.316/.364, hitting 8 home runs and driving in 39 RBIs. After being released by the Rockies on August 27, Profar signed a minor-league contract with the Padres and was eventually added to the major-league roster on September 8. In his limited time with the Padres, he showed improvement, batting .295/.367/.409 with 1 home run and 7 RBIs in 14 games.
With the signing of Profar, the Padres address their need for an outfielder. Prior to the signing, the team only had Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jose Azocar as outfielders on their 40-man roster. Profar is expected to fill an everyday position in the outfield for the Padres in the upcoming 2024 season.
The addition of Profar gives the San Diego Padres a much-needed boost to their outfield lineup. With his experience and potential, he could be a valuable asset to the team as they aim for success in the upcoming season.
PADRES SIGN JURICKSON PROFAR TO ONE-YEAR DEAL
In a surprising move, the San Diego Padres have signed outfielder Jurickson Profar to a one-year, $1 million contract, with an additional $1.5 million in incentives based on plate appearances. This comes as Profar’s second consecutive offseason as a free agent, after signing a one-year, $7.75 million deal with the Rockies last winter.
Profar’s new contract marks a significant decrease from his previous salary, which is not unexpected considering his underwhelming performance last year. However, there is hope that the 30-year-old outfielder can prove himself with the Padres, as his performance improved in the 14 games he played for them at the end of the season.
The Padres’ decision to sign Profar to a “prove-it” deal is a calculated move, considering their efforts to cut payroll this winter. After being hit with a $39.7 million luxury tax bill in December 2023, the team is determined to reduce spending and enter the 2024 season with player commitments around $200 million.
In addition to Profar, the Padres have made other notable signings this offseason. They recently acquired South Korean pitcher Woo-suk Go on a two-year, $4.5 million contract, and reliever Wandy Peralta on a four-year, $16.5 million deal. With these additions, the Padres’ estimated payroll for the upcoming season is between $143-158 million.
Overall, the Padres are taking a cautious approach to their spending this offseason, aiming to balance their roster while staying within budget. Only time will tell if these calculated moves will pay off for the team.
According to the Source heavy.com