Yankees analyst points $218,000,000 star major obstacle for Jurickson Profar's Bronx move

The New York Yankees are looking to fill out their roster further in a busy off-season for the team so far, with Jurickson Profar being a possible target in the free agent market as a utility player. Profar is coming off the best season of his career with the San Diego Padres last year, and he can certainly add value as a switch-hitting outfielder who also has the ability to line up in an infield position.

However, New York Yankees analyst Derek Levandowski reckons the team wouldn't really be interested in bringing in Jurickson Profar, considering they have added Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million contract this winter. Levandowski pointed out that Fried is primarily a ground ball pitcher; therefore, the Yankees will want to add infielders, who a strong reputation defensively.

Derek Levandowski is a host of the "Pinstripe Territory" podcast. He offered his view on the Yankees possibly pursuing Jurickson Profar while responding to a query from one of the callers on the show this Sunday.

"He's a good hitter; I don't know how he is as a defender," Levandowski said. "I think the Yankees are trying to improve both offensively and defensively at the same time. I'm not sure they can count on Profar to do that. [28:03 - 29:03]

"I don't think the Yankees would play him at third base or second, especially having signed Max Fried, a lefty who throws the ball on the ground a lot," he added. "I could see them wanting a defensive first infielder with their next choice."

The Yankees currently have vacancies in their infield after second baseman Gleyber Torres left for free agency. Meanwhile, they had to trade for Jazz Chisholm Jr. to replace third baseman D.J. LeMahieu last year, as the latter suffered a massive dip in his performance in 2024.

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More comfortable with Jurickson Profar in the outfield: Derek Levandowski

Jurickson Profar set carer high figures in home runs, RBIs, and OPS last season (Credits: Imagn)

Jurickson Profar earned his maiden All-Star Game selection in 2024 after spending more than a decade with four different teams in the MLB. Derek Levandowski feels the New York Yankees may take a gamble on the journeyman switch hitter as an additional outfielder on the roster alongside Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and the rookie Jasson Dominguez.

"I think they'd have been more comfortable with Profar in the outfield," Levandowski said. "Also, he had kind of a tough second half last year. He got off to a good start and then kind of slowed down, although he is said to be a good clubhouse guy."

Profar batted .280/.380/.459 for the San Diego Padres in 2024 with career highs of 24 home runs, 85 RBIs, and an OPS+ of 134.