Did you ever expect to see this name on a trade target list? I know I didn't. Profar, 20, is one if the best prospects in baseball and plays the toughest position on the field. So why is he for sale? Well, because the Rangers have no room at all for him that's why. He's a true shortstop but the Rangers have a long term deal with Elvis Andrus there. Third or second base? Sorry, long term deals for Adrian Beltre and Ian Kinsler. So that has resulted in Profar being taught to play left field. That's really not fair to a guy who is also learning to hit in the MLB. So could the Rangers sell him?
I could definitely see Profar getting dealt this July. Like I said, there is no place for him. The Pirates need him though. Jordy Mercer is not the future at SS and I'm not convinced that Alen Hanson will stick at the position. So that leaves us with no solid SS prospects. That's been the story for the past 20 years. Profar would change that in a heartbeat. So far in the majors, he's hitting an uninspiring .240/.317/.349 OPS .666 with 3 HRs and 11 RBIs but in the minors, he averaged .276/.367/.449 OPS .816 with 8 HRs and 42 RBIs in a single year. He's a lead off hitter with speed and a pure lead off man, something the Pirates also lack. If he can translate those numbers to the ML, he'll be a top hitting shortstop in the game. And his defense is marvelous and that's why he was able to stick at SS throughout his entire career. This kid could be a HUGE grab for the Pirates now and in the future. Shortstop is the hardest position to find prospects and this guy is elite. Issues with Profar?
The only thing you can say is bad about Jurickson is that he is a prospect. Prospects are never sure things and he's struggling to start his career. I personally think that is because the Rangers are throwing way too much onto his plate. If he was an everyday SS, he could focus on hitting and develop faster. Other than that, there really is no downfall to him.
My opinion is to grab Profar while the Rangers are in a weak spot. They really need an outfielder and guess what the Pirates' strength is? Outfield depth. There was a rumor in April that the Rangers offered Profar straight up for Oscar Tavares of the Cardinals but St. Louis declined. Tavares is the #2 prospect in baseball and is an outfielder. The Pirates could offer Gregory Polanco and I would do it in a heartbeat. I'd even throw in Alen Hanson if they wanted him to replenish their depth and get more value. The problem with that is the Rangers probably want someone who can step in right away in RF. I am of the thinking that Polanco could make the Manny Machado jump from AA to the Majors right now but the Pirates take it slow. The Rangers don't though, they called up Profar from AA, and if they hold my same opinion, he could be a fit there. SS prospects this caliber are just so rare that if one is on the market, you have to jump at the opportunity. Especially, when you'd have him through 2017 at least! It's such an important position that if you have a superstar you're set. Profar could fix so many long term issues, along with short term if he can hit, you have to take a shot at landing him no matter the cost. Although this trade would be more likely in the offseason, if the Rangers like the deal enough, it could get done this July. And if the Pirates were to add him, you would never see a bigger smile on my and NH's faces.
Tomorrow's trade target is SP Cliff Lee
UPDATE: The Pirates scouted the Cubs again tonight, coincidentally on Matt Garza's start again. Also, Rob Biertempfel at the Trib reports that the Pirates are keeping their eye on Cubs OF Nate Schierholtz and White Sox OF Alex Rios. I have profiled both if you'd like to read the articles.
No comments:
Post a Comment