San Diego Padres outfielder had a standout season in 2024, posting a .280/.380/.459 slash line with 24 home runs and 29 doubles. Despite his strong performance, the market for him has been slow. At nearly 32 years old, he is coming off the best season of his career, but teams are wary of his ability to sustain long-term success. Nonetheless, the team that signs him will be acquiring a breakout talent. Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report recently suggested that he may re-sign with the Padres this winter. Jon Heyman of the New York Post estimates that Profar could sign for $26 million. “Once the Padres determine whether they need to pursue a starting pitcher in free agency, they may focus on re-signing Jurickson Profar to avoid heading into another season with a starting outfielder without MLB experience,” Miller noted. “(While Jackson Merrill’s promotion worked out well, Tirso Ornelas might present a different challenge.)”
“Once that’s settled and the Padres know whether they need to invest in another starting pitcher in free agency, they might be able to turn all of their attention to re-signing Jurickson Profar, lest they enter a second consecutive season with a starting outfielder who has no MLB experience,” Miller wrote. “(It worked out incredibly well with Jackson Merrill, but Tirso Ornelas might be a much different story.) “If, however, the Padres don’t land Sasaki, end up forced to decide whether to spend on Profar or another pitcher in free agency and choose the latter route, Profar would make a lot of sense in the AL Central with either the Royals or the Tigers. Both of those teams have been kind of in the running for Anthony Santander, but Profar’s price point would be much more agreeable for them.”
It seems most logical for Profar to return to the Padres. San Diego will probably re-sign him for about $15 million per year on a two- or three-year contract. While there’s a chance a surprise team like the Cincinnati Reds or Pittsburgh Pirates could swoop in and sign him, it’s not very probable.
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