Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports that now-former Texas Rangers infielder Jurickson Profar has been traded to the Oakland A’s as part of a three-team deal also including the Tampa Bay Rays.
In the deal, Profar is the only player the A’s are acquiring. The Rangers are adding LHP Brock Burke, INF Eli White, LHP Kyle Bird, RHP Yoel Espinal, and international money while the Rays are acquiring RHP Emilio Pagan, RHP Rollie Lacy, and the 38th pick in the 2019 amateur draft. The Rays now have four of the first 61 picks in the 2019 draft.
Oakland was in need of a second baseman after Jed Lowrie‘s departure through free agency. Profar played all over the field in 2018, including 79.0 innings at second base where he had 2 DRS and a 1.0 UZR. He had somewhat of a breakout year offensively, slashing .254/.335/.458 with 20 home runs, 77 RBI, 10 stolen bases, 35 doubles, six triples, and a 108 wRC+.
Still just 25 years old, Profar is under team control via arbitration through 2020.
The Mets have had discussions with the Rangers recently. As we reported Thursday night, the Mets are interested in acquiring Mike Minor, though as New York is on his 10-team no-trade list, it could be difficult. Further, the Rangers are interested in young Mets pitchers like Anthony Kay and David Peterson.
