Jurickson Profar's comments on his future should make Padres fans very optimistic

Is Jurickson Profar here to stay? The 31-year-old outfielder has been part of a rollercoaster relationship with the San Diego Padres over the last few seasons, but things appear to be settling. On the heels of the greatest year of his Major League career, Profar looks like he wants to remain in San Diego.

Profar is a free agent following a fair one-year, $1 million deal when he initially didn't expect much playing time. A bench role was on the horizon for him in 2024, but Profar found himself playing in a career-high 158 games and was named to the All-Star team for the first time.

Jurickson Profar's comments on his future should make Padres fans very optimistic

"I'm a free agent now," Profar told MLB.com. "But I want to be here. This team, I think they have all the things to win a World Series. Mike Shildt built a beautiful thing here. Hopefully I'm part of it."

Profar also pummeled career-marks in home runs (24), runs scored (94), RBI (85), walks (76) and OPS (.839). The month of May was Profar's best when he hit .344 with 33 base hits and 14 walks to help the Friars land a 16-11 record, which was their second-best month of the season. This pace not only helped Profar make the NL All-Star roster, but a spot in the starting lineup. The outfielder was the lone San Diego starter, going 1-for-2 with a run scored.

It was a dream season for Profar, who never expected to even make it the majors while growing up in Curaçao. As part of a star-studded roster in San Diego, Profar managed to etch out his own spotlight. Profar's larger-than-life personality finally intertwined with a web gem, offering one of the most memorable moments of the 2024 postseason thanks to a robbery of Mookie Betts in Los Angeles.

We won't soon forget this catch, the interaction with the Dodgers fans, and everything following this play that sparked a 10-2 Padres win in Game 2 of the NLDS.

There are a number of Padres players hitting free agency this offseason, including fellow All-Star Tanner Scott. Scott will probably inherit more attention from other teams this winter, which could mean Profar will be an easier target for the Friars.

It's apparent that Profar wants to run it back while Scott will be open to discussions with any team. The remaining question is: Does San Diego value Profar the same way he views this organization? “It's not totally in my hands," Profar said, "They've got to want me, too.”

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