The Rockies have been piecing together their outfield all winter. Sunday, they added a major piece to the puzzle, agreeing with switch-hitter Jurickson Profar to a one-year, $7.75 million contract.
The Rockies have not announced the signing because it’s pending a physical, but a major league source confirmed that the two sides have reached an agreement. Profar, 30, can earn an additional $1 million possible if he reaches 400 plate appearances.
Earlier this month, The Post reported that because of injuries to outfielders Sean Bouchard and Randal Grichuk, the Rockies were showing an increased interest in signing Profar, one of the last free agents available.
Profar — who projects as the starting left fielder with Kris Bryant moving to right — hit 15 home runs and slashed .243/.331/.391 in 152 games for the Padres last season. He just finished playing for the Netherlands in World Baseball Classic. Hensley Meulens, the Rockies’ new hitting coach, managed the Netherlands.
Profar is expected to join the Rockies in spring training later this week, giving him about a week to settle in with his new team before the Rockies open the regular season March 30 at Petco Park in San Diego. Profar played for the Padres in 2021 and ’22 before opting out of the final year of his three-year, $21 million contract with the Padres.
Profar not only gives the Rockies a starter in left but also needed depth. Grichuk, who was expected to share center field duties with Yonathan Daza, underwent surgery to repair a bilateral sports hernia before spring training began. Grichuk likely won’t be ready to play until late April. Bouchard suffered a left distal biceps muscle tear early in camp, underwent surgery and is likely out for the season.
Profar is a career .238 hitter with 78 home runs, 313 RBIs and a .708 OPS over 836 games in the majors. In 16 games (14 starts) at Coors Field, Profar has a modest slash line of .250/.281/.333, with one home runs and three RBIs.
Prompted by injuries, the Rockies have now added three veterans to the team. They added lefty reliever Brad Hand to the bullpen after they lost lefty Lucas Gilbreath for the season because of an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. Two weeks ago, Colorado signed veteran corner infielder Mike Moustakas to a minor-league deal. Moustakas, 34, appears to be a lock to make the opening-day roster. He entered Sunday’s Cactus League play hitting 9 for 18 with a home run, three doubles and eight RBIs.
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