Texas Rangers: Could Jurickson Profar Get Traded This Off-Season?

After declining the qualifying offer on Andrew Cashner, the Texas Rangers now seek three starting pitchers this off-season. Could trading promising infielder Jurickson Profar help gain some pitching depth?

The Texas Rangers may need to seek trades in order to fill their starting rotation for 2018. The organization should have roughly $40 million available from departing players, but that likely won’t be enough.

Another solution could be the Rangers trading young infielder Jurickson Profar. His name has been talked about in baseball since his debut in 2012. Since his debut Profar has played just 206 Major League games.

The 24-year-old has become the odd man out in Arlington. The infield looks to be covered for at least the 2018 season, and Profar doesn’t fit in the outfield long-term. The best solution might be just dealing Profar for young pitching.

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After various injuries it’s hard to determine what kind of value Profar has in the trade market today. He’s coming off a 2017 campaign where he hit .172 with five RBI in 22 games with Texas.

In Triple-A Round Rock Profar hit .287 with seven home runs and 45 RBI with 43 walks and only 33 strikeouts. He played in 87 games, and his plate discipline and versatility are his best and more attractive features.

It’s difficult to pinpoint a team for Profar just because he can play just about every position. Most likely a rebuilding team like the Cincinnati Reds that could offer him playing time in the middle infield. The Reds have plenty of young untapped pitchers that could be sent in a trade for Profar.

The Rangers aren’t going to score a top prospect for Profar at this point. General manager Jon Daniels should just move Profar for the best deal he can in an attempt to build the Rangers starting rotation for 2018 and beyond.