MLB Rumors: Jurickson Profar, Kike Hernandez Among 'More Popular' Free Agents

A pair of utility players are headlining the free-agent market, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. 

Former San Diego Padres star Jurickson Profar and Kike Hernandez, who is coming off of a World Series championship with the Los Angeles Dodgers, are among the "more popular" free agents, Passan wrote Monday. 

Teams are reportedly interested in them for their "versatility." 

The Padres reportedly are interested in Profar returning to the organization, while the Kansas City Royals are also pursuing the 27-year-old, who turns 28 in February.

With a .278/.343/.428 slash line last season (seven home runs, six doubles), Profar's offensive abilities are what's drawing teams to the Curacao native, who can play second base, shortstop and third base. Before joining the Padres last season, Profar spent 2019 with the Oakland Athletics. He began his career with the Texas Rangers back in 2012, where he also appeared in left field, a trend that saw a resurgence with the Padres this season. 

Hernandez hit .230/.270/.410 last season, and some of his off-field qualities—playoff experience and clubhouse presence—are making him an attractive candidate for teams this offseason. Hernandez has played with the Dodgers since 2015, after splitting the 2014 campaign between the Houston Astros and Miami Marlins. 

There hasn't been much buzz about potential landing spots for Hernandez, but Darren Wolfson of SKOR North previously reported that the Minnesota Twins expressed interest in the 29-year-old.