Jurickson Profar signs with Braves

As the news was announced, I was in the process of writing an article about whether the Blue Jays should sign Profar or Pete Alonso, timely, I know. Profar is coming off a career-best season where he slashed .280/.380/.459 with 24 home runs in 668 plate appearances for a 139 wRC+ and a 4.3 fWAR. He would’ve been a great lead-off hitter for the Jays, a team that really needs one as George Springer is on the decline. 

However, Profar didn’t fit their “defence first” motto in the outfield, as he had -8 Defensive Runs Saved and -6 Outs Above average in 1203.2 innings in left field. For his career in the outfield, Profar has -13 DRS and -29 OAA in 4391 innings, along with some experience in the infield where he also struggled defensively.

Profar is also rather inconsistent, usually performing well in seasons that end in even numbers. In 2023, he slashed .242/.321/.369 with nine home runs in 521 plate appearances for a 78 wRC+ and a -1.6 fWAR. The year prior, he had a 110 wRC+ in 658 plate appearances with the San Diego Padres, with an 87 wRC+ in 2021. Since 2018, he’s alternated between a wRC+ above 100 and below 100 depending on the year.

Another simpler theory is that Profar made an adjustment in 2024, as the switch-hitter added a more exaggerated leg kick on both sides of the plate, generating higher exit velocities and a career-high in home runs.

Either way, Alonso is the better of the two options as his inconsistency still results in a wRC+ no less than 120 with 34 or more home runs. Alonso gives them middle-of-the-order pop while signing Profar would have given the Jays a lead-off switch-hitter. The Jays wouldn’t have gone wrong with either option, but Alonso is the better fit as he’d be their primary designated hitter.