By Visual Tejeda

February 8, 2025 – 10:30 AM PST

The San Diego Padres have embraced a bold strategy to fill their left field vacancy heading into the 2025 season. Rather than re-signing Jurickson Profar—who had a career year in 2024—the team opted for a budget-conscious platoon of Connor Joe and Jason Heyward. It’s a classic “moneyball” move: instead of paying top dollar for one reliable player, they’re banking on two cheaper options to provide similar production.

But does this strategy hold up under scrutiny? Will the combined contributions of Joe and Heyward make up for the loss of Profar’s steady bat and presence in the lineup?

Jurickson Profar’s 2024: The One That Got Away?

Profar was one of the Padres’ most dependable bats last season, putting up some of the best numbers of his career:

• 158 games played

• .280 AVG / .380 OBP / .459 SLG / .839 OPS

• 24 HR, 85 RBI, 10 SB

While never an elite defender, Profar brought value with his on-base skills, patience at the plate, and ability to slot into multiple lineup spots. He was a key contributor to the Padres’ postseason push, but when he hit free agency, the front office let him walk—likely due to cost concerns.

Enter Connor Joe and Jason Heyward.

Does Two Equal One? The Joe & Heyward Platoon Experiment

Instead of investing in a single everyday player, the Padres are rolling with a mix-and-match approach:

Connor Joe (2024 Stats)

• 123 games

• .228 AVG / .318 OBP / .372 SLG / .690 OPS

• 9 HR, 36 RBI, 4 SB

Joe has good on-base ability but lacks the power and consistency of Profar. He’s also yet to prove himself as a full-time starter.

Jason Heyward (2024 Stats)

• 87 games

• .211 AVG / .288 OBP / .412 SLG / .700 OPS

• 10 HR, 37 RBI, 5 SB

Heyward’s offensive numbers have steadily declined over the years, but he remains a solid defender and respected clubhouse leader. However, health concerns loom over his ability to contribute regularly.

How Do They Compare to Profar?

Even when combining their offensive numbers, Joe and Heyward fall well short of Profar’s total production.

Breaking Down the Padres’ “Moneyball” Move

The front office is clearly betting on depth and flexibility rather than star power. Here’s what they gain—and what they lose—with this approach.

✅ What They Gain:

✔ Defensive upgrade – Heyward remains an above-average defender in the outfield, and Joe’s versatility allows him to cover multiple positions.

✔ Cost savings – Instead of handing out a long-term deal for Profar, the Padres spread their investment across two lower-cost players.

✔ Platoon advantage – Heyward hits right-handed pitching well, while Joe offers better on-base skills against lefties.

❌ What They Lose:

❌ Everyday stability – Profar played 158 games last year. Joe and Heyward will likely need to be managed carefully.

❌ Offensive upside – Profar’s OPS (.839) and 24 home runs are hard to replace, especially with Joe and Heyward’s declining power.

❌ Durability concerns – Heyward hasn’t played a full season in years, and Joe has never held a full-time starting role.

Final Verdict: A Smart Gamble or a Costly Mistake?

This move fits the Moneyball mold—taking undervalued assets and hoping their combined contributions can match a more expensive player. But based on the numbers, the Padres have taken a clear step down in left field.

If Heyward can stay healthy and Joe finds more consistency at the plate, this gamble could work out. But if they underperform, the Padres might regret letting Profar walk over cost concerns.

The front office is betting that depth and flexibility can replace an everyday difference-maker. But as history has shown, sometimes you can’t replace one great player with two average ones. Will this move pay off? Only time will tell.

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