Padres interested in re-signing OF Jurickson Profar

There’s been some rumblings as of late that the Padres, among other teams, are interesting in signing free agent Jurickson Profar, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

Profar was instrumental in the Padres’ 2020 success from a support role. He’s a versatile, switch-hitter that can play multiple positions in the outfield. He played mostly in the outfield this past season while also recording 17 starts at second base.

It should also be noted that GM AJ Preller was the assistant GM with the Rangers during Profar’s developmental years and that likely means the skipper has an understandable bias towards the 27-year old.

In 2020, Profar played in 56 games with 51 starts. He slashed .278/.343/.428 with 50 hits, 25 RBIs, seven home runs, and seven stolen bases. For good measure, he registered a career-low 13.9 percent strikeout rate.

Some believe Profar still has plenty of work to do as a defensive player, noting how he was twice moved off second base (once with Oakland, then with San Diego). The second time had much to do with Jake Cronenworth’s rise to prominence so that’s not something to hold a lot of weight in.

Overall, in his role, I thought Profar brought a lot of energy to the lineup and deserves another go around with this team.

But what do you all think? Should Preller bring him back? Why or why not?