Milwaukee Brewers: Jurickson Profar on the move?

Rangers beat reporter Evan Grant tweeted that most teams have checked in on Jurickson Profar. Could the former #1 overall prospect get moved this off-season? Are the Milwaukee Brewers in on the infielder?

Jurickson Profar has gone from the penthouse to the outhouse in just a few years. The former uber prospect is still only 24 years old despite having been on the radar for six years. Profar broke in the Majors at age 20, struggled in almost every facet, and missed the 2014 season with injuries. He’s out of Minor League options and hasn’t found his footing as a utility player.

He played 87 games at Triple-A in 2017 and slashed .287/.383/.428. He enjoyed a cup of coffee with the Rangers, but could have a role as a starter with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018.

Why would the Rangers deal Profar finally?

The Texas Rangers have stuck with Jurickson Profar for a long time. Why would they deal him now? Elvis Andrus and Rougned Odor are locked in at short stop and second base. Adrian Beltre is signed through 2018 at third base. They still have to find a position for Joey Gallo and Ryan Rua, and there are a few prospects in their Minor League system who feature at the corners. There doesn’t appear to be a starting role for Profar in Texas.

Can Profar handle second base?

He only makes sense at second if he heads to the Milwaukee Brewers. He’s not going to push Travis Shaw off third base or Orlando Arcia off shortstop. The Brewers also have a crowded outfield, so he won’t fit in there. It’s second base or bust if Profar comes to Milwaukee.

Why would the Brewers make sense for Profar?

He represents a possible solution at second base, and he’s clearly a talented player. Either due to health or performance, Profar never played a full season at one position. He’s a low cost option with upside. He’s a player the Milwaukee Brewers could add now, and have him on the Major League roster when they’re ready to truly compete with Chicago and Los Angeles.

What would a deal for Profar look like?

It’s unclear what the Rangers would want straight up, but Profar is likely to come with someone else. The Rangers have a few bad contracts that they need to unload. Profar could either sweeten the pot for a Rangers salary dump, or entice another team to add an extra prospect to a deal. The Brewers may have to take on a bad contract or add a veteran coming off a rough season to add Profar to their lineup.

The Rangers would love to deal Shin-Soo Choo and the $63 million he’s owed for the next three years. They may look to get away from Cole Hamels and the remaining year and option year on his deal. Martin Perez could also move on this off season. The pitching options may fit with the Brewers plan. Choo is a deal breaker. There is no way the Brew Crew would take on all that money for three years in the outfield.

Next: Is Lewis Brinson a trade chip?

The fact that Jurickson Profar didn’t get a call up at the end of the 2017 season speaks to how the Rangers value him. After a few seasons of frustration, the Rangers appear ready to move on. If that’s the case, the Milwaukee Brewers shouldn’t be afraid to check in. If Profar leaves in a ‘one-for-one’ deal, it’s unlikely that he commands more than a prospect or two in the 10-20 range on the Brewers top prospect list.