Texas Rangers: Which of these five teams will land Jurickson Profar?

Do the mighty Cubs really need Profar?

The Cubs do not lack depth. Kris Bryant holds down third base, Anthony Rizzo first base and Javier Baez one of the two middle infield positions. Ben Zobrist and Ian Happ can basically play anywhere (like Profar), and Chicago will do all they can to have Kyle Schwarber‘s bat in the lineup.

A team with that many notable names doesn’t seem to be in great need of Jurickson Profar. Though, I guess Addison Russell is the kicker.

The Cubs decided to tender Russell a contract for 2019 despite his recent domestic abuse allegations and his underwhelming 2018 performance. They’ll need to decide what his role is on the team before making any sort of significant external move.

Chicago did agree with infielder Daniel Descalso on a 2-year/$5 million contract yesterday morning. It seems they’ve already found their utility option.

Profar is not a fit for the Chicago Cubs. He is far beyond a utility role and the Cubs do not have room for him as an everyday player. Even if they still want to acquire him, there is no way they would offer the Texas Rangers a reasonable return.

Chance Profar lands with the Cubs: 0%

Unlike the Cubs, the Brewers do have an everyday spot available for Jurickson Profar. That spot being second base, which I believe is the ideal position for the man who really struggled throwing the ball across the diamond last season.

Milwaukee had a great team in 2018 and they should have a very good one in 2019. Yet, the always important middle infield is an area of weakness for them.

They had such a hole at second base in 2018 that they had to trade for not one, but two infielders at the trade deadline. Second baseman Jonathan Schoop was acquired from the Orioles and third baseman Mike Moustakas was acquired from the Royals. Schoop hardly played and Moustakas forced the Brewers’ incumbent third baseman, Travis Shaw, over to second base for most of the playoffs.

Now, Schoop is a member of the Minnesota Twins and Moustakas is a free agent. The door is open for Jurickson Profar. I think he would be a great fit for the Brewers. In fact, I proposed a deal sending Profar to Milwaukee in Nolan Writin’s Winter Meetings trade piece.

But, let’s revert back to the initial question–will the Brewers forgo the free agent market and acquire Profar?

A number of juicy second base names are available in the free agent market. Among them, Daniel Murphy, Jed Lowrie, DJ LeMahieu, Brian Dozier and Asdrubal Cabrera. The Cincinnati Reds are apparently open to trading Scooter Gennett as well.

The Brew Crew will need to find a second baseman one way or the other. What Profar offers that those other guys don’t…he’s young, arbitration eligible for two more years, and far more versatile.

Chance Profar lands with the Brewers: 25%

Will the Oakland A’s intrude on the Texas Rangers’ roster?

Oakland is not in dire need of a second baseman, though they’d certainly like to avoid a major performance drop off after watching Jed Lowrie go to free agency. Lowrie was their primary three-hole hitter a season ago.

The Athletics may want to afford Franklin Barreto an everyday role in ’18. Plus, they always seem to have plenty of formidable fill-in players. Matt Chapman isn’t going anywhere at the hot corner and Marcus Semien put forth a quietly solid year for them at shortstop.

If the A’s really want Profar, it’ll come down to them nickel-and-diming the Rangers for a fair trade. We know that the small market Oakland Athletics don’t like to invest in free agents, but it would not be surprising if they brought back Lowrie on a team friendly contract.

It’ll be interesting to see how they play it. Barreto taking over at 2B seems likely, and so does re-signing Lowrie. Acquiring Profar seems less likely; however, that’s only because most trade talks fizzle out.

I will say a great gap-to-gap hitter would have some fun in that giant ballpark they call Oakland Alameda. Though, combating my own comment, Profar hit just .190 with one double in 23 plate appearances there last season.

Chance Profar lands with the Athletics: 10%

Where could the Padres use Profar?

I could see Profar having a similar role with the San Diego Padres as he did with the Texas Rangers in 2018. You know, as a “play all over the place” guy.

San Diego will be hitting their stride pretty soon. 2019 looks to be the year prized prospects’ Luis Urias and Fernando Tatis Jr. enter onto the scene as full-time employees. Urias plays second base and is ranked as the Padres’ #4 prospect; Tatis Jr. is a shortstop and ranks as the organization’s #1 prospect (#2 prospect in all of Major League Baseball).

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So, with those two up the middle there doesn’t seem to be a great fit for Profar. Wil Myers is slotted at third base and Eric Hosmer at first base. Profar could see some outfield action, but San Deigo is pretty well set with young talent out there as well.

They signed the well-known Ian Kinsler to a two-year deal last week. Kinsler’s on-field role will be far less critical compared to his assumed mentor-ship role to Urias.

Frankly, the Padres seems to have all bases covered, literally. I’m not entirely sure why they showed interest in Jurickson Profar in the first place. As it stands, it would take a blockbuster trade involving the Padres and another team before they may need Profar.

Chance Profar lands with the Padres: 0%

How badly do the Nationals want a second baseman?

It kind of feels like the Washington Nationals’ bubble has burst. They deeply disappointed in 2018 and it’s very likely they lose their long time superstar, Bryce Harper. But, they still have Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg. Make no mistake about it, the Nationals plan on competing for a championship in 2019.

That means they need a second baseman that can come in and contribute immediately. Assuming they don’t reel in Harper, they’ll need some offensive help to at least slightly cushion the loss of the 2015 MVP. Wilmer Difo, the Nats’ current second baseman, isn’t going to help much there. Difo hit just .230 a season ago, notching seven home runs and posting an OBP below .300.

Profar is an offensive asset that every team should want in their lineup. He may not compete for an All-Star bid, but he’ll certainly find ways to improve an offense. He walks, he puts the ball in play, he hits from both sides of the plate, and he hits for power, both gap to gap and over the fence. Profar can hit leadoff, third, fifth or ninth…his skill set is vast.

The Nationals may bring in someone with a more extensive track record like DJ LeMahieu or Scooter Gennett. A small sample of proven success is causing some hesitation for teams regarding Profar. We’ll see how they decide to play it.

Chance Profar lands with the Nationals: 20%

If you’ve been keeping track, I’ve loosely determined that there is a 55% chance Jurickson Profar is traded this offseason. That leaves a 45% chance that he remains with the Texas Rangers.