The Rockies’ search for a starting left fielder reportedly came to an end on Sunday after the club reached an agreement on a one-year deal with veteran utility player Jurickson Profar, according to multiple reports.
Profar, 30, will reportedly earn a $7.75 million base salary with Colorado but can earn another $1 million in incentives if he reaches 400 plate appearances, per MLB.com. The deal is expected to be finalized pending a physical, though it remains unclear when the physical will take place with Profar not yet back in the United States as of Sunday morning, according to The Denver Gazette.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post was the first to report the deal.
A veteran switch-hitter with nine seasons of MLB experience, Profar will reportedly head to his fourth team on the heels of his second run with the Netherlands at the World Baseball Classic in Taichung, Taiwan. Profar hit .231 (4-for-13) with one home run, three strikeouts and three walks in four games under manager and Rockies hitting coach Hensley Meulens. The team was eliminated after a 7–1 loss to Italy in pool play on March 12, and finished 2–2 in the tournament.
While it remains to be seen when he’ll join Colorado’s camp, Profar figures to play a pivotal role as a starting left fielder and possible leadoff hitter following a standout 2022 season with the Padres—his home for the last two years. In his career-best 152 games played last season, Profar slashed .243/.331/.391 with 15 homers and 58 RBIs while starting 141 games in left field.
With Opening Day quickly approaching, Profar, who has also played for the Athletics and Rangers, will have a quick turnaround to prepare to join his new team and their matchup against his former team. The Rockies are set to open the regular season on March 30 against the Padres in San Diego.
