WILLEMSTAD - After a brief but successful stint with the San Diego Padres, outfielder Jurickson Profar has inked a new one-year contract with the team, earning a salary of 1 million dollars for this year. This news comes shortly after Profar, playing with the Curaçao Suns, secured a fourth-place finish in the Serie del Caribe in Miami.
Profar, who previously played for the Padres between 2020 and 2022, returns after a disappointing season with the Colorado Rockies, where he played under hitting coach Hensley Meulens before being released during the season.
Prove Yourself
The Padres have decided to offer Profar a 'prove yourself' contract, given his mediocre performances in 2023. This contract provides him the opportunity to earn up to 1.5 million dollars extra if he reaches a certain number of at-bats, a significantly lower amount than the almost eight million dollars he earned a year ago.
Despite the challenges, Profar has proven to be a valuable asset, evidenced by his batting average of .295 with one home run and seven RBIs in fourteen games for the Padres. RBI (Runs Batted In) is the number of points a player scores by a hit, excluding errors by the opponent.
Outfielders
Profar's return to San Diego is a logical move for the team, which currently has a limited number of outfielders. Manager Mike Shildt praises Profar as a professional player who is both beloved in the clubhouse and valuable on the field due to his versatility as a switch-hitter.
Profar is likely to serve mainly as a backup and occasional starter, but his ability to play various positions provides flexibility to the team.
This contract marks an opportunity for Profar to rejuvenate his career and contribute to the Padres' success while aiming to achieve the performance goals that can earn him additional rewards.