He has finally put all the pieces together, and the free-agent outfielder is hoping his next contract reflects his breakthrough. Profar, 31, entered the 2024 season with a career .238/.322/.383 slash line but rewarded the San Diego Padres with an impressive .280/.280/.459 performance. Once regarded as one of baseball’s top prospects, Profar earned his first All-Star selection in his 11th MLB season. According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, Profar is seeking a contract in the range of three or more years—a reasonable goal for a player who turns 32 in February and may still be near his peak.
MLB.com recently highlighted Profar as one of “5 free agents who should be generating more buzz.” Writer Thomas Harrigan credited Profar’s success to a more refined approach at the plate, achieving career-best chase (21.9%) and whiff (17.0%) rates while also improving his quality of contact. In 2024, Profar recorded six of the eight hardest-hit balls of his career, with his average exit velocity (91.1 mph), hard-hit rate (44.4%), and barrel rate (7.2%) reaching personal highs. These metrics suggest his breakout was the result of meaningful adjustments, hinting at a sustainable improvement.
Profar’s offensive value was further underscored by his 139 wRC+, which ranked 15th in the majors, outpacing All-Stars like Francisco Lindor, Freddie Freeman, and Rafael Devers. However, questions remain as to why he isn’t receiving more attention in free agency. Factors such as San Diego’s small market (the 30th-largest in the U.S.) and the lack of transparency from his representation may play a role. Additionally, teams may be cautious about whether Profar’s 2024 performance is repeatable over the course of a multi-year deal.
By comparison, Teoscar Hernández, a similarly aged free agent, has already drawn offers for three years at $66 million from teams like the Dodgers and Blue Jays. Profar, however, has yet to be linked to any formal offers, possibly because his best fit is in San Diego—where his departure would leave a significant void in left field. The Padres, though, are reportedly trying to limit payroll ahead of 2025 and have made players like Luis Arraez and Jake Cronenworth available via trade, according to Passan.
While Profar is expected to attract interest on the open market, it remains uncertain which teams are prepared to meet his contract expectations.
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