Blue Jays free agent target signs three year deal with Atlanta

After expressing interest in free agent outfielder Jurickson Profar, MLB Insider Robert Murray has reported that the left fielder/2nd baseman has signed a three year pact with the Atlanta Braves.

The deal is said to total $42MM and is back-loaded, with Profar receiving $12MM this year and $15MM each of the next two seasons.

While the Blue Jays were softly connected to Profar, especially within the last couple of weeks, it always seemed like a bit of an odd match. Profar plays mostly left field and 2nd base, two positions that the Jays don't necessarily need to fill. Andres Gimenez is entrenched at 2nd, and Anthony Santanderwill probably see a significant amount of time in left along with Joey Loperfido, Nathan Lukes and potentially Addison Barger.

While Profar had a strong 2024, hitting .280 with 24 home runs and 85 RBIs, he has struggled with inconsistency at the plate throughout his career. His .245 lifetime average and .331 career OBP are well below the standard for a player thought of as a leadoff hitter.

He is also projected to regress slightly, with baseball reference having him at a .256 avg with 16 home runs for 2025. While he is a decent fielder, the Blue Jays already have a spate of defensive-first outfielders.

With Profar off the board, look for rumours about both Pete Alonso and Max Scherzer to pick up steam.

SOURCE - MLB Trade Rumours