MLB free agency is nearing its conclusion, with many of the big names off the board and spring training right around the corner. But some impact players are still available.
Here’s a look at where things stand so far this offseason:
Scherzer was No. 42 on Yahoo Sports’ list of this winter’s top 50 free agents. He was injured for much of 2024, pitching just 43 1/3 innings with a 3.95 ERA, but the season prior, he helped the Texas Rangers win the World Series.
Atlanta Braves sign outfielder Jurickson Profar
After a relatively quiet offseason, the Braves are adding 2024 All-Star Jurickson Profar on a three-year, $42 million contract. Profar spent the previous season and a half with the San Diego Padres, hitting .280/.380/459 in 2024 and earning a Silver Slugger Award. He will make $12 million in 2025 and $15 million in each of the following two seasons.
Since winning the World Series in 2021, the Braves have struggled to get back to the top of the sport. They’ve reached the playoffs in the past three seasons but haven’t made it past the division series.
Follow along with Yahoo Sports as we track all the rumors, signings and more during MLB free agency:
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SP Michael King avoids arbitration, settles with San Diego Padres
King’s deal includes a $1 million salary for 2025 plus a $3 million signing bonus. There is also a mutual option for 2026 that is worth $15 million.
The 2025 contract includes incentives that could push his total earnings to $8 million.
The 29-year-old King came to San Diego in the Juan Soto trade in December 2023. He made 30 starts last season and recorded a 2.95 ERA with 201 strikeouts in 173 2/3 innings.
We have reached an agreement with RHP Michael King on a one-year contract for the 2025 season with a mutual option for 2026.
Free-agent infielder Jorge Polanco in agreement with Mariners, pending physical, sources tell me and @Chandler_Rome. Had been Astros target. Mariners acquired him from Twins last January.
Polanco deal guarantees him $7.75 million, per source. $7 million base salary for 2025 plus a $750K buyout on the player/mutual option. @Ken_Rosenthal was on it.
Dodgers make Kirby Yates deal official, DFA Ryan Brasier
Here is the state of the Los Angeles Dodgers: They just DFA’d Ryan Brasier, who has a 1.89 ERA in 68 appearances across two seasons with the team, because he is their sixth-best right-handed reliever.
Brasier, who is due $4.5 million for this season, will almost certainly draw trade interest, but the Dodgers now have Kirby Yates (officially), Blake Treinen, Michael Kopech, Brusdar Graterol and Even Phillips on the right-handed side alone.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to terms with RHP Kirby Yates on a one-year contract for $13 million. The Dodgers designated RHP Ryan Brasier for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.
What to make of this deal for Scherzer and the Jays?
It wasn’t much of a mystery what kind of contract Scherzer would command after fellow veteran right-handers Alex Cobb, Charlie Morton and Justin Verlander all inked one-year, $15M pacts earlier this winter, but it took a while for Scherzer’s potential landing spots to crystalize. Ultimately, the Blue Jays emerged as the strongest candidates to secure the future Hall of Famer’s services, and a deal came together less than two weeks before pitchers and catchers report to spring training.
Having already addressed their needs for power and bullpen help with Anthony Santander and Jeff Hoffman, Toronto has now tabbed Scherzer as their salve for a rotation that also needed reinforcing. Add the December acquisition of second baseman Andrés Giménez to vastly improve the club’s infield defense, and the Jays have upgraded nearly every facet of their club this winter. Extending Vladimir Guerrero Jr. remains the most consequential decision facing Toronto this offseason, but the club has unquestionably gotten better across the board this winter.
Have the Jays improved enough to warrant consideration as legitimate postseason contenders coming off a last-place finish in 2024? If Scherzer can stay healthy for a full season, there’s a good bit to be excited about in the rotation, which features three other highly accomplished right-handers in Kevin Gausman, José Berríos and Chris Bassitt. If Bowden Francis’ surprising second-half breakout from last season was legit, this could end up being one of the stronger units in the American League. However, those are some pretty big “ifs.” Scherzer, who turns 41 in June, made only nine starts in 2023 and has navigated myriad ailments in recent years.
Toronto will still need a lot to go right on both sides of the ball to compete in the unforgiving AL East, but credit to them for pushing aggressively to improve the roster, even after several failed free-agent pursuits earlier in the offseason. — Shusterman
Scherzer was No. 42 on Yahoo Sports’ list of this winter’s top 50 free agents. He was injured for much of 2024, pitching just 43 1/3 innings with a 3.95 ERA, but the season prior, he helped the Texas Rangers win the World Series.
Estévez spent last year with the Angels and Phillies, pitching to a 2.45 ERA with 50 strikeouts in 55 innings. In the postseason with Philadelphia, Estévez made three appearances, pitching 2 2/3 innings and surrendering two runs while recording four strikeouts.
Reds reportedly acquiring Taylor Rogers from Giants
Rogers has spent the past two seasons with San Francisco, posting a 3.06 ERA and throwing 128 strikeouts in 111 2/3 relief innings.
The Cincinnati Reds are finalizing a trade to acquire left-handed reliever Taylor Rogers from the San Francisco Giants, sources tell me and @kileymcd. Rogers, 34, is owed $12 million this season and adds a late-inning arm to Cincinnati’s bullpen. On the news: @ByRobertMurray.
Amid an offseason of uncertainty for the franchise due to the damage done to Tropicana Field by Hurricane Milton, the Rays have quietly gone about their business in hopes of upgrading a roster coming off the franchise’s worst finish since 2017.
This deal addresses an obvious short-term need in a similar fashion to the one-year pact with backstop Danny Jansen inked earlier this offseason. While Junior Caminero appears primed to seize the third-base job, shortstop projected as a position of weakness for the Rays. Taylor Walls is a tremendous defender but an abysmal hitter, and Jose Caballero profiles better in a utility role than as an every-day shortstop. The 21-year-old Carson Williams is one of baseball’s top overall prospects and spent all of 2024 at Double-A, but his strikeout issues suggest he might still be a year or two away from being ready to contribute in the big leagues. Kim represents an ideal bridge to Williams, whether he ends up opting out after 2025 or sticks around for both years of his deal.
A fantastic glove in his own right, Kim offers similar defensive upside to Walls and far greater upside with the bat. The unknown with Kim — and surely the reason the 29-year-old had to settle for a deal much lower than what many projected — is how he’ll bounce back from shoulder surgery, which cut his 2024 season short. Walls and Caballero will likely continue to cover short to open the season, but the hope is that Kim can return in May and upgrade the position in a meaningful way. It’s a sensible landing spot for Kim and a nice upside play for a Rays franchise whose limited budget generally precludes them pursuing free agents capable of 4-plus WAR seasons.
Rays agree to two-year, $29 million deal with infielder Ha-Seong Kim
Infielder Ha-Seong Kim is heading to the Tampa Bay Rays, agreeing to a two-year, $29 million contract with the team, per multiple reports. The deal reportedly includes an opt-out after the first season.
Kim, who spent the past four seasons with the San Diego Padres, is recovering from shoulder surgery but is reportedly expected to return to play in May. He is expected to take over at shortstop in Tampa.
Tigers reportedly in agreement with Tommy Kahnle
The Detroit Tigers and right-handed pitcher Tommy Kahnle are in agreement on a one-year, $7.75 million deal, per multiple reports. Kahnle spent the previous two seasons with the New York Yankees, posting a 2.38 ERA with 94 strikeouts in 83 1/3 innings pitched.
Source confirms: Tommy Kahnle in agreement with Tigers on one-year, $7.75M contract. First with terms: @ByRobertMurray
The former Texas Rangers closer has agreed to a one-year, $13 million contract with an additional $1 million in incentives for games played, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
The Dodgers are now on track for a $379 million payroll, per Fangraphs’ estimate, which would be the largest payroll in MLB history. The 110% CBT surcharge would mean this deal is more like a $27.3 million deal for them.
Yates is coming off one of the best seasons by a reliever in 2024, with a 1.17 ERA that ranked behind only Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase for the best mark among relievers.
MLB The Show announces cover athletes: Paul Skenes, Gunnar Henderson, Elly De La Cruz
For the first time ever, MLB The Show has three cover athletes: 2024 NL Rookie of the Year and Pirates ace Paul Skenes, 2023 AL Rookie of the Year and Orioles slugger Gunnar Henderson, and Reds All-Star shortstop Elly De La Cruz.
Is Steve Cohen right to complain about the Mets’ Pete Alonso negotiations?
Ryan Pressly to the Cubs
The Houston Astros stuck a deal on Sunday to send closer Ryan Pressly to the Chicago Cubs. Pressly waived his no-trade clause in order to make the deal happen.
The 36-year-old held a 3.49 ERA in 56 2/3 innings last season with the Astros. The longtime veteran earned two All-Star nods during his seven-year run in Houston, with the most recent coming in 2021.
The Chicago Cubs are finalizing a trade to acquire closer Ryan Pressly from the Houston Astros, pending medical review, sources tell ESPN. Pressly will waive his no-trade clause to Chicago to facilitate the move, and Houston will send money to help cover his $14 million salary.
Mets owner Steve Cohen gets candid about Alonso trade: “I don’t like what’s been presented to us”
The New York Mets have been making big moves this offseason, including signing Juan Soto to a mega contract. But one stubborn piece of the Mets’ offseason has been trying to bring back Pete Alonso.
At a fan fest event on Saturday, Mets owner Steve Cohen made it clear that negotiations are ongoing, but he is frustrated with the process.
“Personally, this has been an exhausting conversation and negotiation. I mean, Soto was tough — this is worse,” Cohen said.
With things dragging on, Cohen even hinted that the team might have to move on from Alonso if the two sides remain in limbo.
“As we continue to bring in players, reality is [it] becomes harder to fit in Pete to what is a very expensive group of players that we already have,” he said.
Jose Altuve open to changing positions if it helps bring Alex Bregman back
On the news that the Astros have reengaged with Alex Bregman, second baseman Jose Altuve was asked how he would help bring the longtime third baseman back to Houston.
“For Alex, I’ll do whatever,” Altuve said. That reportedly includes moving to the outfield and allowing Isaac Paredes, who was acquired in the Kyle Tucker trade with the Cubs, to take his spot at second base.
“For Alex, I’ll do whatever,” Jose Altuve said. “Whatever I have to do for him to stay, I’m willing to do.”
Yes, that includes moving to the outfield, Altuve said.
Alex Bregman’s career with the Astros appeared to be over after Houston signed free-agent first baseman Christian Walker. However, with Bregman’s market apparently stalled, the Astros have resumed talks with the third baseman, who has played all nine of his MLB seasons with Houston, The Athletic reports.
Bregman has reportedly attracted interest from the Red Sox, Blue Jays and Tigers. But his rumored pursuit of a contract in the five-year, $200 million range has apparently been an obstacle, as it was with the Astros.
Houston made a six-year, $156 million offer to Bregman, and that deal is still available, according to reports.
Bregman batted .260 with a .768 OPS, 26 home runs, 30 doubles and 75 RBI in 634 plate appearances last season for the Astros.
What to make of Profar’s deal with Atlanta?
Traditionally one of the more active teams each winter, Atlanta had been eerily quiet this offseason coming off its seventh consecutive trip to October. The Braves were one of just a handful of teams that had yet to sign a free agent to a guaranteed big-league deal this winter, but they finally got on the board with the addition of Profar on a three-year deal worth $42 million.
The Padres — with whom Profar starred in his breakout 2024 season — have also yet to sign a major-league free agent this winter, and they surely would’ve loved a reunion with Profar. But San Diego’s ongoing ownership dispute and bloated payroll apparently made retaining Profar difficult. Instead, he joins a Braves team that had an unsettled left-field depth chart that projected to feature the largely unproven Jarred Kelenic and recent signee Bryan De La Cruz in a platoon of sorts. Now that duo can cover right field until Ronald Acuña Jr. returns from ACL injury, at which point Acuña should join Profar and center fielder Michael Harris II to form one of the more dangerous outfield trios in the National League.
The switch-hitting Profar and his excellent on-base skills will provide some much-needed balance to a Braves lineup that severely underwhelmed in 2024. While Profar’s plate discipline has always been stellar, it was a notable uptick in power production supported by huge strides in his batted-ball quality that fueled his 2024 breakout that he has now parlayed into an eight-figure deal. Although he’ll no longer be a main character in the Dodgers-Padres rivalry, Profar could continue to play a key role for a team hoping to dethrone the champs in 2025.
Jurickson Profar signs with Braves
Outfielder Jurickson Profar has signed a three-year, $42 million deal with the Atlanta Braves, the team announced Thursday.
Last season with the San Diego Padres, Profar posted a career year, batting .280, hitting 24 home runs and driving in 85 runs with 10 stolen bases. Among National League left fielders, his 4.3 fWAR was highest, and he was above the 90th percentile in expected wOBA (.364) and expected batting average (.283). He was also the sixth-best hitter by wRC+ in the NL.
Anthony Santander’s deal with Blue Jays includes $61.75M in deferred money, opt-out
Anthony Santander’s five-year, $92.5M includes $61.75M deferred, according to a copy of the deal viewed by The Athletic. Present-day overall value by union’s calculation is $68.6M with a $13.7M AAV.
Santander deal includes opt out after third year. If he opts out, Jays can void it by increasing salary by $2.5M in each of final two years and exercising option for 2030 at $17.5M.
In a surprising turn of events, the Atlanta Braves have made a big splash in free agency by signing infielder Jurickson Profar to a lucrative 3-year, $42 million deal. Profar, who spent last season with the San Diego Padres, is known for his versatility and defensive prowess, making him a valuable addition to the Braves’ roster.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Blue Jays have also made a major move by signing star pitcher Max Scherzer to a deal, bolstering their pitching staff and solidifying their status as contenders in the American League. Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, brings a wealth of experience and talent to the Blue Jays, who are looking to make a deep playoff run next season.
Both signings are sure to shake up the landscape of the MLB and will be worth keeping an eye on as the season approaches. Stay tuned for more updates on free agency moves and roster changes as teams prepare for the upcoming season.
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This story was excerpted from Mark Bowman’s Braves Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter,click here. Andsubscribeto get it regularly in your inbox.
ATLANTA — Now that the Braves have erased their need for an outfielder by signing Jurickson Profar, will they bolster their pitching staff by adding a starter or reliever?
“There’s plenty of really good players that we like, a lot of them, through trade or free agency,” president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said. “But you’re trying to get the right fit. It won’t surprise me if we’re still talking to people into Spring Training. It’s the way things are going. We’re almost into the month of February. So we’ll continue to see if something comes up that makes sense.”
At the right price, Nathan Eovaldi might have made sense for the rotation. But would Atlanta have then had the financial flexibility necessary to strengthen its outfield with Profar? Had the Braves doctors not been concerned with Jeff Hoffman’s shoulder, he might have signed a five-year deal worth between $45 million and $48 million, and we wouldn’t have seen all those great jovial social media memes of Anthopoulos chilling on the beach.
While it might not have seemed like Atlanta was doing much over the past couple of months, Anthopoulos and his staff likely feel like they have worked harder than they did during the many winters that they erased needs earlier.
So, where might the club go from here? A source revealed that the Braves and Cubs are among the teams pursuing free-agent reliever Ryne Stanek. Stanek served as an opener for the Rays during the 2018 and ’19 seasons, but he would most likely best fit as a traditional reliever with Atlanta.
Anthopoulos is willing to add some insurance to a rotation that should be strong as long as Spencer Strider, Chris Sale, Reynaldo López and Spencer Schwellenbach stay healthy. But he’s not going to add just to add. In other words, he would likely only add a starter who would be a desirable option to make a postseason start.
Or one that is at least a considerably better option than Grant Holmes and Ian Anderson, a pair of out-of-options hurlers who stand as the favorites to begin the season as Atlanta’s fourth and fifth starters, since Strider likely won’t return from right elbow surgery until the end of April.
“We’re not locked into one area,” Anthopoulos said. “If there’s a good starter deal, we’ll do it. Trade, free-agent signing or a bullpen deal, the same way. But we’re not close to anything. We’re still having conversations about both.”
If the season were to start today, here is how the pitching staff might look:
Rotation: Sale, López, Schwellenbach, Holmes, Anderson Bullpen: Raisel Iglesias, Pierce Johnson, Aaron Bummer, Dylan Lee, Daysbel Hernandez, Angel Perdomo, Anderson Pilar and TBD
You could put Amos Willingham or Jordan Weems in that last bullpen spot, but knowing that it could be filled by Holmes or Anderson once Strider returns, you likely wouldn’t give it to a pitcher like Weems, who doesn’t have options. So, for now, let’s just expect that Jesse Chavez/Josh Tomlin role to be filled in April by a pitcher with options.
The Atlanta Braves are making moves this offseason, and their latest signing of infielder Jurickson Profar is sure to bolster their roster. But what is their next step after adding Profar to the mix?
With Profar in the fold, the Braves now have additional versatility and depth in their infield. That being said, they could still use some help in the outfield and potentially at the pitching position. It wouldn’t be surprising to see them explore options to add another outfielder or starting pitcher to their roster.
Additionally, the Braves could also look to address any potential areas of weakness or depth concerns on their bench. Adding another utility player or backup catcher could provide added insurance and flexibility for the team.
Overall, the Braves are in a good position with the addition of Profar, but they still have some work to do in order to solidify their roster for the upcoming season. It will be interesting to see what moves they make next as they continue to build their team for a successful campaign.
Spring training is just weeks away, but there is still plenty of MLB offseason business to tackle. A handful of notable players remain on the free-agent market, including Alex Bregman and Pete Alonso. Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki agreed to a new deal on Jan. 17, landing with the Dodgers to team up with WBC teammates Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The Dodgers signed reliever Tanner Scott on the same weekend. The Blue Jays finally made an awaited splash as they signed Anthony Santander to a five-year contract.
Juan Soto, the best free agent on the market, signed a record-setting $765 million deal with the Mets back in December. Pitchers Corbin Burnes (Diamondbacks), Blake Snell (Dodgers) and Max Fried (Yankees) — who were all ranked in the top five of our top free agents lists — also all signed before the new year.
Some moves have happened in January, including Justin Verlander heading to the Giants and Ha-Seong Kim to the Rays, but the market has been relatively slow as Alonso and Bregman remain without new contracts.
You can check out our top 50 free agent rankings, which include write-ups on every player. CBS Sports will be keeping track of where they land below.
2024-25 MLB free agent tracker
In the latest MLB free agent signings, infielder Ha-Seong Kim has agreed to a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays. The 25-year-old South Korean star brings versatility and power to the Rays’ lineup, as he can play multiple positions and has shown an ability to hit for both average and power.
Meanwhile, the Atlanta Braves have bolstered their outfield depth by signing Jurickson Profar. The 28-year-old utility player adds speed and defensive prowess to the Braves’ roster, giving them another option in the outfield and infield.
Stay tuned for more updates on MLB free agent signings as teams continue to make moves to improve their rosters for the upcoming season.
This past season with the San Diego Padres, Profar in 158 games batted .280/.380/.459 with 24 home runs, 29 doubles, and 10 stolen bases for a Pads team that won 93 games and made the postseason. Coming into last season, Profar had a career OPS+ of 92, but in 2024 he had an OPS+ of 134. Because Profar backed up his surge at the plate with impressive batted-ball indicators, the Braves are betting that what he did last year is sustainable for the time being.
How much do you believe? You can run the numbers. You can watch the tape. You can consult with projection systems. You can chat with an oracle. Ultimately, player evaluation is a test of faith. No matter how you reached your conclusion, the whole thing reduces down to this: how much conviction do you hold in it? Are you willing to be wrong? If not, you’re already lost. All of this is relevant to Profar, a fascinating study case. The former No. 1 prospect finally made good on that billing, notching his first star-caliber season at the plate at age 31. The underlying measures all pointed in the right direction: he hit the ball with greater authority; he walked more; he struck out less. If he were five years younger, he’d be in line for a handsome payday. He’s not, though, so his marketplace reception hinges on how teams answer this capsule’s first question.
Profar, who will turn 32 in February, has for his career a WAR of 8.5 across parts of 11 MLB seasons. This past season he earned his first All-Star appearance and won his first Silver Slugger Award.
The fit on the Braves is two-fold.
First, Profar could end up the everyday left fielder. Others in the mix would be Bryan De La Cruz and Jarred Kelenic and Profar had the best season in 2024 of the three. De La Cruz swings right-handed while Kelenic is a lefty and Profar is a switch-hitter.
The second reason, and possibly why this signing happened so late in the offseason, would be the knee injury to Ronald Acuña Jr. last season. He tore his ACL and might be ready to start the season, but it’s also possible he’ll open the season on the injured list. The Athletic recently reported that the Braves want Acuña’s return to “go at a slower pace” than last time he was returning from ACL surgery, “knowing Acuña perhaps came back too quickly in ’22.”
The signing of Profar now leaves the Braves the chance to platoon Kelenic and De La Cruz in right field while Profar holds down left field, should they so choose. The next corner outfielder on the roster before the Profar deal was Eli White, so this move marks an upgrade.
The Braves won the World Series in 2021 and followed it up with two 100-win seasons and a wild card last year, but they’ve yet to win a playoff series since that championship in ’21.
As for the Padres without Profar, there’s a void in left field. Right now, it looks like some combination of Tirso Ornelas, Tyler Wade and Brandon Lockridge could be used in left to start the season barring any more moves.
According to multiple reports, Jurickson Profar is set to sign with the Atlanta Braves after a career year in the outfield. The veteran player is expected to bring his strong defensive skills and consistent bat to the Braves lineup, providing a boost to their outfield depth.
Profar, who has played for several teams in his career, had a standout season in 2021 with the San Diego Padres, hitting .273 with 20 home runs and 77 RBIs. His versatility in the field and ability to play multiple positions make him a valuable asset for the Braves as they look to strengthen their roster for the upcoming season.
Fans of the Braves are excited to see Profar in action and believe that he will be a key contributor to the team’s success. With his experience and talent, he is expected to make a significant impact on the Braves’ quest for a championship. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting signing!
The Braves made their first splash of the 2025 offseason, coming to an agreement on a free-agent contract with 2024 breakout Jurickson Profar, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. The club has not confirmed the move.
It took until Profar’s age-31 campaign — his 11th season in the Major Leagues — for him to seemingly break out, but he certainly proved it’s never too late to shine. In his second stint with the Padres, after hardly playing in 2023, Profar posted a .280/.380/.459 slash line as San Diego’s starting left fielder in ‘24. He hit 24 homers, drove in 85 runs and stole 10 bases, earning National League All-Star honors and cementing himself as another big bat along with Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado in the Padres’ lineup.
It was a stellar season largely backed up by Statcast quality-of-contact metrics, which ranked Profar above the 90th percentile in MLB in expected wOBA (.364) and expected batting average (.283). He proved to be a disciplined hitter, walking at an impressive 11.4% clip, striking out only 15.1% of the time and ranking in the 90th percentile in both chase rate and whiff rate.
Profar, who came up through the Minors as a shortstop, has now seen the most Major League action in left field, making 499 career appearances there compared to 219 at second base, 104 at short and 89 at third. He graded out as a poor defender in left in 2024 (-7 Outs Above Average), but thanks to his bat, Profar was worth 3.6 bWAR.
It was handily Profar’s best offensive season, as he came into 2024 with a career .706 OPS before posting an .839 OPS with the Padres. He debuted with the Rangers in 2012 as a 19-year-old and played in 85 games the following season, but after a shoulder injury and subsequent surgery to repair a torn labrum in 2014, he missed two whole seasons and didn’t return to MLB until 2016. Profar was traded to the A’s after the 2018 season in a three-team deal, then dealt to the Padres a year later.
After showing a bit more prowess with the bat in 2022 (.243 BA, .723 OPS), Profar signed a one-year, $7.75 million deal with the Rockies for ‘23. He was released by Colorado in late August and signed by San Diego to a Minor League deal before re-upping with the Padres for 2024.
Breaking news: Jurickson Profar, Braves agree to free-agent contract
According to sources, the Atlanta Braves have reached a deal with free-agent infielder Jurickson Profar. The terms of the contract have not been disclosed, but it is expected to be a multi-year deal.
Profar, 28, is coming off a solid season with the San Diego Padres, where he hit .234 with 7 home runs and 34 RBIs in 129 games. Known for his versatility, Profar can play multiple positions in the infield and outfield, providing the Braves with added depth and flexibility.
Braves fans are sure to be excited about the addition of Profar to their lineup, as he brings a mix of power and defense to the team. Stay tuned for more updates as the details of the contract are revealed. #GoBraves #JuricksonProfar
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Jurickson Profar, Braves, free-agent contract, MLB, baseball, signing news, sports, Atlanta Braves, player acquisition, MLB free agency, Jurickson Profar signing.
The Braves and free agent outfielder Jurickson Profar are in agreement on a contract, reports Robert Murray of FanSided. The details of the pact for the Boras Corporation client aren’t yet publicly known. Atlanta has a full 40-man roster and will need to make a corresponding move in order to make this deal official.
Profar, 32, has been wildly inconsistent in his career but is coming off his best season. Once a top prospect with the Rangers, he made it to the majors as a 19-year-old but struggled in his first few seasons. He eventually showed some promise but frustratingly alternated between good and bad seasons.
He had one of those down seasons in 2023, which is why the Padres were able to sign him last offseason for just $1MM, barely above the league minimum. The Padres probably couldn’t have dreamed about the return on investment they would eventually get from that.
Profar got into 158 games and stepped to the plate 668 times. His 15.1% strikeout rate and 11.4% walk rate were both strong numbers but fairly normal for him. He managed to do more damage when he connected, without sacrificing any of his trademark plate discipline. His 24 home runs were a career high. The three numbers in his .280/.380/.459 slash line were all personal bests as well, apart from a .471 slugging percentage in his nine-game debut back in 2012. His 139 wRC+ easily eclipsed his previous personal high of 113 and was also put him in the top 15 among qualified hitters last year.
Given his capricious production over the years, it would be fair to be a bit skeptical that he could keep that kind of performance going. However, there are some encouraging numbers under the hood. Profar’s 44.8% hard hit hate rate, 91.1 mile-per-hour average exit velocity and 7.2% barrel rate were all significantly better than anything he had done before. His .302 batting average on balls in play was a career high but just a bit above the .291 league average.
Though Profar has played all over the diamond in his career, he’s mostly a left fielder now. He’s barely played the other outfield slots in his career. He hasn’t really been an infield regular since 2019. He logged just 18 innings at first base last year, the only place he played apart from left field during the campaign.
Profar’s work in left hasn’t been especially well regarded. Last year, he was given a grade of -8 from Defensive Runs Saved and -6 from Outs Above Average. Despite that, thanks to his huge offense and ten stolen bases, FanGraphs considered him to be worth 4.3 wins above replacement on the season.
More to come.
The Atlanta Braves have reportedly agreed to sign infielder Jurickson Profar to a contract. Profar, who previously played for the San Diego Padres, is known for his versatility and ability to play multiple positions on the field.
The Braves are hoping that Profar can provide depth and flexibility to their roster, as they aim to make another deep playoff run in the upcoming season. With his switch-hitting abilities and solid defensive skills, Profar could be a valuable asset for the team.
Fans are excited to see how Profar will fit in with the Braves and contribute to their success on the field. Stay tuned for more updates on this signing and how it will impact the team’s lineup for the upcoming season.
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Jurickson Profar to bring versatility to Braves roster
After more than a decade in the majors, Jurickson Profar finally lived up to his top prospect billing in 2024, his age-31 season. The switch-hitter slashed .280/.380/.459 with 24 home runs, 10 stolen bases, and an NL-leading 18 hit-by-pitches. He did just about everything well, posting a high walk rate, a low strikeout rate, and above-average power numbers. His 139 wRC+ ranked 15th among qualified batters, while his 4.3 FanGraphs WAR placed him among the top 25 position players in either league. Even better, his Statcast expected metrics matched his actual output; his .364 xwOBA put him in the 92nd percentile of MLB hitters. With numbers like that, it was no surprise that Profar started for the NL All-Stars in the summer and collected a Silver Slugger at the end of the year.
Profar turns 32 next month, and his age, along with his spotty track record from 2012-23, will limit his earning potential in free agency. That’s why he ranked below fellow outfielders Anthony Santander and Teoscar Hernández on MLBTR’s Top 50 Free Agents list, despite outperforming both of them in wRC+ and fWAR last season. Nonetheless, the possibility that he could repeat his All-Star performance in 2025 should entice several suitors, and for that reason, Profar is easily the top outfielder still available on the free agent market. What’s more, his ability to hit from both sides of the plate, along with the fact that he is not saddled with the qualifying offer or seeking a particularly long-term commitment (he’s eyeing a three-year deal) should make him a good fit for any team in need of an impact bat in a corner outfield spot.
Indeed, with Santander off the market, the Profar rumor mill has picked up in recent days. According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, “a number of teams” are interested in his services, including the Blue Jays and Astros. After signing Santander, Toronto is set in the corner outfield department with Santander in left field and George Springer in right. However, the Jays could still use another bat, and they could facilitate the addition of Profar by rotating Profar, Santander, and Springer between the corner outfield and the DH spots. GM Ross Atkins recently made it clear the Blue Jays have money left to spend this winter as they strive to return to contention after a disappointing 2024. There is no doubt that Profar would help them move toward that goal.
As for the Astros, they could desperately use some more thump in the outfield after trading Kyle Tucker to the Cubs. With manager Joe Espada on the record that Houston would like to limit Yordan Alvarez’s playing time in the field, the club’s current outfield options include Jake Meyers, Chas McCormick, Mauricio Dubón, and Taylor Trammell. As I wrote back in December, “It’s not hyperbole to say that could be one of the worst offensive outfields among contending teams.” Thus, it’s easy to see how Profar fits into the picture. The only question is if GM Dana Brown has the payroll flexibility to make such a signing. Earlier this month, KPRC’s Ari Alexander reported the Astros were “unlikely” to sign Santander because it would require a contract that would put them “well into the competitive balance tax for the second consecutive season.” Profar won’t command quite as high of a salary, but the Astros are already above the first luxury tax threshold as it is (per RosterResource). So, Brown might need to make a trade to clear some payroll before he can pursue any more free agent additions. Offloading Ryan Pressly’s $14MM salary from the books would surely help.
While Feinsand did not name any other suitors, the Royals are one more team that has been linked to Profar this winter. Joel Sherman of the New York Post connected the two sides back in November, writing that the Royals had “their eye on” the left fielder. However, there hasn’t been much smoke to that fire since, and Sherman’s report came before Kansas City traded for Jonathan India. Still, the Royals continue to seek another impact bat for their lineup. Although reporting has suggested they’d prefer to work on the trade market – they inquired about Nolan Arenado earlier in the offseason – signing Profar is another route they could take.
Two further landing spots to consider are the Angels and Tigers, both of whom were reportedly interested in Santander before he signed with the Blue Jays. Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press described the Angels as one of the “frontrunners” to sign Santander, while Jon Heyman of the New York Post also mentioned Santander when he linked the Angels to Pete Alonso, acknowledging that the outfielder was a better positional fit. The Angels currently have Taylor Ward and Jo Adell penciled into the corner outfield spots, but Ward is a potential trade candidate (even if rumors of his availability may have been overblown) and Adell has hardly done enough to warrant a guaranteed starting job. Anthony Franco recently wrote about what the Angels could do next in a post for MLBTR Front Office subscribers, and he touched on Profar as a potential target.
Meanwhile, Petzold described Santander as a potential backup plan for the Tigers if they could not sign third baseman Alex Bregman. Considering that talks between Bregman and the Tigers are reportedly “at a standstill,” perhaps Detroit will pivot to Profar. After all, if the Tigers had interest in one switch-hitting corner outfielder, it stands to reason they’d have interest in another. While Riley Greene has one corner outfield spot on lock, manager A.J. Hinch could play Profar in the other corner. In addition, Profar could occasionally platoon at DH with Kerry Carpenter, who has struggled against left-handed pitching so far in his young career.
It would also be foolish to count out a reunion between Profar and the Padres. San Diego clearly likes what he brings to the table, having acquired him four separate times, first in a trade and then as a free agent in 2021, ’23, and ’24. Moreover, Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller worked in the Rangers’ international scouting department back when the team first signed Profar in 2009. It’s hard to imagine Preller could have lost interest now, given that Profar is coming off the best season of his career. On top of that, the Padres certainly still have space for him, having made no moves as of yet to replace his bat in the lineup. The big question, however, is if San Diego can afford to pay what Profar is seeking. The Padres are reportedly trying to reduce their payroll from its current $208MM projection (per RosterResource), which means they might need to offload some salary before considering any upgrades in free agency.
One more team that showed interest in Santander this winter was the Red Sox, but Chris Cotillo of MassLive suggests Boston is not actively pursuing Profar. That makes sense in light of manager Alex Cora’s recent comments that he hopes to use Masataka Yoshida in the outfield more often; Boston’s outfield picture is already quite crowded. In addition to Yoshida, the Red Sox have a pair of young, talented corner outfielders in Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu. They also plan to use Ceddanne Rafaela as an outfielder “as much as possible” instead of shuttling him back and forth between shortstop and center field. On top of that, the Red Sox have top prospect Roman Anthony to consider. The promising outfielder could be ready for his MLB debut at some point in 2025.
Meanwhile, the Yankees and Mets were both serious suitors for Hernández earlier this winter, but the Yankees filled their hole in the outfield with Cody Bellinger, while the Mets presumably addressed that need by signing Jesse Winker. Other contenders that have already addressed needs in the corner outfield include the Orioles, Phillies, Cubs, and Dodgers. Notably, the Braves are one team not on that list. While they have not been linked to any notable free agent outfielders so far this winter, they were thought to be exploring the outfield market back in November. They could certainly use another outfielder if Ronald Acuña Jr. opens the season on the injured list, and even once Acuña returns, they might prefer an upgrade over Jarred Kelenic. According to RosterResource, their projected payroll currently sits about $31MM below last year’s final figure, which should give them plenty of flexibility to offer Profar the kind of contract he’s looking for.
So, where do MLBTR readers think Profar will ultimately end up? Have your say in the poll below:
Poll: Where Will Jurickson Profar Sign?
Hey baseball fans! Jurickson Profar is currently a free agent and there are several teams interested in signing him. Where do you think he will end up? Vote below and let us know your thoughts!
1. San Francisco Giants
2. New York Mets
3. Toronto Blue Jays
4. Texas Rangers
5. Other (comment your prediction)
Let’s see which team comes out on top in this poll! #MLBFreeAgency #JuricksonProfar
Major League Baseball’s offseason continues to wind down, with just a few weeks remaining until pitchers and catchers report to camps in Florida and Arizona. This, then, is the ideal time for clubs to apply the finishing touches to their roster. Below, CBS Sports has compiled all of Tuesday’s most notable news, moves, and rumors in one place for your convenience. Let’s get to it.
Tigers, Alex Bregman still in holding pattern
The Detroit Tigers are widely reported to have significant interest in free-agent infielder Alex Bregman, but the two sides apparently aren’t moving toward an agreement at the present time. Here’s this report from the Detroit Free Press’ Evan Petzold:
“The Detroit Tigers remain interested, but negotiations are at a standstill with less than one month until the first full-squad workout in spring training, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. Detroit needs a right-handed hitting third baseman and has the payroll flexibility to lock up a franchise-altering free agent.”
Bregman, 30, is coming off a 2024 season in Houston in which he slashed .260/.315/.453 (118 OPS+) with 26 home runs and 30 doubles in 145 games. He also won his first Gold Glove. For his career, Bregman has an OPS+ of 132 and a WAR of 39.6 across parts of nine MLB seasons, all with the Astros. He’s a two-time All-Star selection, and twice he’s also finished in the top 10 of the American League MVP vote.
The Tigers are coming off a surprise playoff run in 2024 and are seeking to capitalize on that momentum in the season to come. Bregman would no doubt help the near- to mid-term cause in Detroit. The Red Sox and Blue Jays have previously been reported to also have interest in Bregman.
We figure that Yates’ market will be limited by his durability and his command. He’s thrown 60 innings in consecutive seasons, but he had previously missed most of three seasons because of injury woes. Additionally, he’s walked nearly five batters per nine over the last two years. Mind you, Yates has succeeded despite the free passes by excelling at managing contact — both in terms of quality and frequency. He has a two-pitch approach: 93 mph fastballs up and to the glove side, and trapdoor splitters low. Each pitch generated a whiff rate over 30% and a batting average against under .115 in 2024. It’s possible that Yates’ body breaks down again, or that he loses just enough stuff to render him less effective. That risk, however, ought to limit his market to short-term deals that could make him one of the best relief bargains of the winter.
Yates, 37, posted a 1.17 ERA (340 ERA+) in 61 innings last season. If a deal is reached, he’ll join a bullpen that’ll include Blake Treinen, Scott, and Michael Kopech, among others.
Blue Jays, Astros interested in Profar
Count the Blue Jays, Astros, and Padres among the teams with interest in free-agent outfielder Jurickson Profar, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. Feinsand adds that the Padres, though enamored with Profar, may not have the financial means to hash out a reunion.
How much do you believe? You can run the numbers. You can watch the tape. You can consult with projection systems. You can chat with an oracle. Ultimately, player evaluation is a test of faith. No matter how you reached your conclusion, the whole thing reduces down to this: how much conviction do you hold in it? Are you willing to be wrong? If not, you’re already lost. All of this is relevant to Profar, a fascinating study case. The former No. 1 prospect finally made good on that billing, notching his first star-caliber season at the plate at age 31. The underlying measures all pointed in the right direction: he hit the ball with greater authority; he walked more; he struck out less. If he were five years younger, he’d be in line for a handsome payday. He’s not, though, so his marketplace reception hinges on how teams answer this capsule’s first question.
The Blue Jays have already added one outfielder this week, inking Anthony Santander to a long-term deal. The Astros, meanwhile, could use an outfielder to help offset the loss of Kyle Tucker, traded to the Cubs earlier this winter.
MLB Rumors: Alex Bregman at a ‘Standstill’ with Tigers, Dodgers Keep Spending, Jurickson Profar Draws Interest
There have been some intriguing developments in the MLB rumor mill recently, with star third baseman Alex Bregman reportedly at a “standstill” in contract negotiations with the Detroit Tigers. Bregman, who is currently a free agent, is one of the most sought-after players in the league and it seems as though the Tigers are having trouble reaching an agreement with him.
On the other hand, the Los Angeles Dodgers are continuing to make big moves in free agency, with reports indicating that they are not done spending yet. The Dodgers have already signed several high-profile players this offseason, including Max Scherzer and Corey Seager, and it appears that they are willing to keep opening their wallets to build a championship-caliber team.
Meanwhile, infielder Jurickson Profar is drawing significant interest from multiple teams around the league. Profar, who has played for the San Diego Padres in recent years, is a versatile player who can play multiple positions and provide solid offensive production. It will be interesting to see where he ends up signing this offseason.
Overall, the MLB rumor mill is buzzing with activity as teams continue to make moves and negotiations heat up. Stay tuned for more updates as the offseason progresses.
