Padres Acquire Jurickson Profar for Austin Allen

The search for a new second baseman lasted less than a week for the San Diego Padres. Today the team traded for Jurickson Profar, with catcher Austin Allen and a player to be named later heading to Oakland. Profar was a favorite of Padres general manager A.J. Preller for years, dating back to his days with the Texas Rangers. The 25-year old was once the top overall prospect in baseball before injuries delayed his career. Profar will take over second base for the Padres in 2020, although the switch hitter batted just .192 against right handed pitching last season. He has hit 20 home runs in each of the last two seasons between the Rangers and A's.

Allen, meanwhile will give Oakland another power bat at the catching position. He split time last season between the Chihuahuas and the Padres. In 67 games with El Paso, he batted .330 with 21 home runs and 61 RBIs. Allen hit .215 with San Diego in 34 games. Allen has always been a good hitting catcher but questions about his defense at the position have followed him throughout his professional career. In Oakland, he will join a club that already has Sean Murphy, one of baseball's top catching prospects.