Blue Jays should pursue Jurickson Profar of the Rangers

The Blue Jays have a need to upgrade the middle infield positions and provide depth behind Troy Tulowitzki and Devon Travis, and Jurickson Profar could be a great fit as a super utility type.

I’ve been wanting to write this article for awhile, but I don’t like creating speculation that has no ties to legitimacy, at least not this directly. That said, all I needed was for one other source to mention the idea, and I finally got that on Tuesday in an article by Ben Nicholson-Smith about the year end presser, when he snuck in the idea of trading for Jurickson Profar.

Seriously, this guy has just wasting in the Rangers organization over the last number of years, mostly because they’ve got their keystone full with Elvis Andrus and Rougned Odor. Profar also hasn’t quite developed the way the Rangers have hoped, and he’s battled injuries too but still, we’re talking about a guy who used to be at the top of the prospects list.

Maybe the Rangers aren’t willing to part with him, especially after Odor’s terrible season, but I’m guessing they would move him for the right offer, and it shouldn’t cost the Blue Jays anywhere near what it would have a few years ago. He only had 58 at bats at the highest level in 2017, and he’s getting a little old for a “prospect” at 24.

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The switch-hitter brings a lot of value with his versatility, with the ability to play shortstop, second base, third base, and even time spent at first, and in the corner outfield. His greatest value to the Jays would be his abilities in the keystone, and the ability to back up either Troy Tulowitzki or Devon Travis, both of whom have proven to be injury prone throughout their respective careers.

The Blue Jays are in a difficult position with those two, something Ross Atkins acknowledged during the year-end presser as well, as both players need to start if they’re healthy, but it’s also difficult to count on either to play an entire season. They also have some potentially strong options coming in their minor league pipeline in players like Bo Bichette, Lourdes Gurriel Jr, Richard Urena, Logan Warmoth, Bradley Jones, and more. With that in mind, they don’t want to block the position for the long term either.

Which is another reason that Profar is a good fit, as he’s only got two years of club control remaining, when he’ll be a free agent at the end of the 2019 season. He only made a shade over one million dollars in 2017 as well, so his contract will be affordable, and the upside still exists. He’s anything but a sure bet, but his versatility and upside make him an intriguing candidate to fill the need the Blue Jays are looking at with their current roster construction.

Of course, this is purely speculation on my part, and I have no idea if the Rangers would entertain trading Profar, or if they would deal with the Blue Jays on such a thing. The Rangers were a surprising disappointment in 2017 as well, so they’ll be looking to shake things up, and moving on from someone like Profar could make sense if the Blue Jays make a serious offer. What that could be is anyone’s guess.

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