The Athletics introduced as we speak that they’ve recalled right-hander Tyler Ferguson and infielder Brett Harris from Triple-A Las Vegas. Left-hander Sean Newcomb and infielder Aledmys Díaz had been designated for project in corresponding strikes.
Díaz, 33, had a strong run as a productive main leaguer from 2016 to 2022, suiting up for the Cardinals, Blue Jays and Astros. The A’s signed him going into final yr, giving him a $14.5MM assure over two years, ideally hoping that he might function a steady veteran presence on a rebuilding membership filled with youthful and fewer skilled gamers.
The primary season of the deal was undoubtedly a disappointment. Díaz carried a profession batting line of .266/.320/.443 into the yr however ended up slashing simply .229/.280/.337 in 2023. Whereas the previous line interprets to a wRC+ of 105, the latter put him at simply 72, going from a bit above common to nicely under.
This yr has been far worse. Díaz handled a groin and a calf pressure in Spring Coaching and landed on the 60-day injured checklist to start out the yr. He was reinstated on the finish of Could however has slashed .103/.133/.103 since then. He wasn’t getting a lot enjoying time, with simply 30 plate appearances to this point this yr and simply three previously week.
Relatively than protecting him on the bench for the ultimate three months of his contract, the membership will let him pursue alternatives elsewhere whereas giving his roster spot and enjoying time to youthful gamers that would maybe be a part of the membership’s future. Max Schuemann has been getting the majority of the enjoying time at shortstop and can probably proceed to take action, with gamers like Harris and Armando Alvarez able to filling in infrequently. Darell Hernaiz is on the IL however Nick Allen is on the 40-man and could possibly be recalled sooner or later. Jacob Wilson is a shortstop and one of many membership’s prime prospects. He solely has 11 video games of Triple-A expertise and simply 22 at Double-A, however he retains placing up enormous numbers and could possibly be an choice sooner or later.
The A’s will technically have 5 days to work out a commerce with Díaz however the curiosity from different golf equipment figures to be near zero, given his contract and up to date efficiency. He has greater than sufficient service time to reject an outright project and can probably be launched within the coming days, leaving the A’s on the hook for the rest of his wage.
At that time, one other membership might signal him and would solely should pay him the prorated league minimal for any time spent on the roster. That quantity could be subtracted from what the A’s pay. Although given his current type, he’ll probably should accept minor league provides.
As for Newcomb, 31, he additionally started the yr on the 60-day injured checklist. In his case, it was attributable to irritation in his surgically-repaired left knee. He was reinstated from the IL a few month in the past and has since tossed 10 innings over seven appearances, permitting seven earned runs. He struck out seven opponents but in addition issued eight walks.
He as soon as appeared like a constructing block in Atlanta earlier in his profession, tossing 264 innings in 2017 and 2018 with an earned run common of 4.06. He pitched primarily out of the bullpen in 2019 however continued having good outcomes with a 3.16 ERA.
Sadly, issues took a nosedive from there. He posted a 7.45 ERA over the 2020 to 2022 seasons, together with a stint with the Cubs. The A’s gave him a while on the roster late final yr with encouraging outcomes, as he logged 15 innings with an ERA of three.00.
The A’s took a shot on Newcomb carrying that over, avoiding arbitration by agreeing to present him a $1MM wage for 2024, even after he had undergone surgical procedure on that left knee. However issues haven’t gone in keeping with plan and he’s been got rid of the roster.
Newcomb got here into this yr along with his service time depend at 4 years and 113 days, leaving him 59 days shy of the five-year mark. Since gamers accumulate service time on the minor league IL, he crossed over that threshold earlier this yr. Which means he now has the suitable to reject an outright project in favor of free company whereas protecting his wage in place.
That makes it probably that, similar to Díaz, he’ll find yourself launched within the coming days. The A’s might be on the hook for what’s left of his wage and every other membership might doubtlessly signal him and solely pay him the prorated league minimal, with that quantity subtracted from what the A’s pay.
