Dylan Carlson is a low-cost option for the San Diego Padres in the outfield.

As the winter season rolls on, it is becoming more evident that the Padres will not be able to re-sign Jurickson Profar.

Profar is expected to command between $15-20 million a season for at least three years. For San Diego, that just seems unimaginable. Profar is the glue to the clubhouse and a fan favorite, but paying him 10 to 15 times what he made in 2024 is a scary thought. Yes, Profar deserves a raise over the $1 million he made last season, but how much of a raise is the question?

The Padres are dealing with Ha-Seong Kim, who is also currently a free agent. Not to mention Tanner Scott, who was probably the team’s best reliever down the stretch last season. Then there is the pending free agency of Michael King, Dylan Cease, and Luis Arraez. All three men are playing next season in their last contracted year. Something has to give.

Committing another $50 million or so seems foolish for the Padres at this point. For Profar, coming off his best season in the majors- he deserves to be paid. It remains to be seen if the Padres will be that team or if the longtime veteran will play in 2025 for another franchise.

There are options for replacing Profar, though.

They seem to be opening up daily as teams finalize their rosters to go all out this winter in signing players for the 2025 season.

On Friday, Dylan Carlson was non-tendered by the Tampa Bay Rays. The switch-hitting outfielder was dealt to Tampa at the trade deadline last season. Instead of paying Carlson the $2-4 million he will be paid next season, the thrifty Rays opted to part ways. He will likely be traded in the coming days.

Carlson is coming off three unproductive seasons in the majors. However, he is 26 and certainly an option for the Padres to replace Profar. The native of California may welcome a return to his home state and play the game with comfort and ease.

In 2021, Dylan Carlson recorded a .780 OPS in 149 games for St. Louis. He looked to be a star in the making. Carlson slugged 18 homers and walked 57 times, showing a pretty solid eye at the plate with plus power. The switch-hitter really punishes left-handed pitchers with a .792 career OPS in 492 at-bats.

In order to get true value from this player, the Padres will need to get 145-plus games out of the outfielder. In recent years, nagging injuries have plagued Carlson. He is capable of more, and becoming an everyday player is surely a possibility. Mike Shildt coached and managed Carlson in St. Louis and surely knows him well. His words of encouragement in this manner could put Preller over the top and force the GM to deal.

Defensively, Carlson is an adequate defender in center with a rocket arm. He could easily make the adjustment to left field and would be a welcomed addition to replace Jackson Merrill in center whenever needed. The Padres would possess three above-average defenders at the spacious confines of Petco Park, and that is a good thing.

A.J. Preller and his staff will surely explore every option this winter. Dylan Carlson is an excellent low-coast replacement for Jurickson Profar, and that is a fact.

He is no guarantee, but if the Padres obtain a few players of this ilk and allow them to compete in the spring, they will get ample production from the left-field position.

Tampa will likely have many suitors for Carlson and his upside. The team has a few days to make a move. There is no doubt the Padres have the prospect capital required to make this deal happen. The Padres also have a relationship with Tampa as A.J. Preller and the Rays have dealt multiple times over the years.

For the Padres, an addition of Carlson could put the team over the edge.

We will see what happens.

James Clark

James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.