The Jurickson Profar Dilemma

As it relates to the title of this blog post, the word dilemma typically carries a negative connotation. Make no mistake, though, the Jurickson Profar Dilemma is not a bad problem to have.

After Rougned Odor landed the punch heard 'round the world, a seven-game suspension opened the door for 23-year-old Jurickson Profar to make an impact in the majors at second base. Once the Rangers' top prospect, Profar began the year in AAA after missing two years with shoulder problems.

In the seven games Odor missed, all Profar has done is hit .364 with a 1.000 OPS, scoring nine runs from the leadoff spot. He hit a titanic blast into the upper deck on Friday night. He's played exceptional defense. He gives the Rangers' lineup a unique boost.

Now for the dilemma: Odor returns from suspension tonight.

Texas can either:

1. send Profar back to AAA
2. shoehorn him into the lineup at least 4 times per week

I'll take option 2, please. 

Profar, with five mult-hit games in seven starts, has looked too good to send back down. The beat guys have suggested that in order for Profar to continue to mature, he needs at least four starts a week. Let's put on our Jon Daniels suit and tie see how we can get creative. 

The obvious and uncomfortable scenario is to DH Profar for the struggling Prince Fielder, whose average is down to an abominable .187. The issue with that is even after this year, you still have four years and $72 million left on Fielder's deal. That's a problem. Furthermore, JD was patient with Shin-Soo Choo in the first half of last year and he ended up being one of the best hitters in baseball in the second half. I don't see Profar taking Prince's job the rest of the season. But there's this:

Fielder may get "unplugged," as Banister calls it, for couple days VERY soon. But likely back in on daily basis after, like Choo @andyswaff

— Stefan Stevenson (@StevensonFWST) June 4, 2016

Maybe Prince gets a few days off to clear his head, which frees up the DH spot. 

There's also the option to rest first baseman Mitch Moreland, barely above the mendoza line at .208. This would involve Fielder shifting to play first and he's not nearly as valuable as Moreland in the field. But it gets Profar in the lineup at DH. 

The final two options are to simply give shortstop Elvis Andrus and Odor one routine rest day per week to keep the batteries charged. 

You could theoretically rotate these options to get Profar four starts per week, or simply give Fielder a few days off. Choo, currently on the disabled list with a hamstring issue, is due back late next week, at which point you'd have to re-evaluate with another spot needing to become open.

So sure, it's a dilemma, but it comes from a position of strength in the way Daniels has constructed this team. 

This is one of the deeper teams in all of baseball with an elite prospect pipeline. Yu Darvish is 2-0 since returning from Tommy John surgery and we finally have the Darvish/Cole Hamels tandem atop the rotation we've been dreaming about since acquiring Hamels last summer. At 32-22, the Rangers have the best record in the American League. 

There's a lot going in the right direction right now. No complaints. The dilemma still has to be addressed, though. And if you ask me, he's done enough to stay.