General manager Jon Daniels doesn't want top prospect Jurickson Profar taking anything for granted. Wednesday's trade of Ian Kinsler for Prince Fielder clears the way for Profar to claim second base as his own. Rather than meander around to various spots as a super-utility player, Profar can spend the rest of the offseason and spring training working at second and honing his skills.
But Daniels wasn't ready to simply hand the job to Profar, who turns 21 in February.
"He’s a guy we like," Daniels said Wednesday night. "We like his potential and what he can bring to the table. He’s a guy we would like to see claim the job, but he's going to have to do that.
"We may bring in some competition for him and guys to push him, and he’s got some guys behind him that will push him."
Daniels acknowledged that Profar helped himself at winter ball, making some offensive adjustments. He hit .284 in 25 games with a .836 OPS.
"But there's no entitlement," Daniels said. "He’ll have to come in and win the job."