The Mariners have positioned first baseman Ty France on outright waivers, based on Ryan Divish of The Seattle Occasions. France stays on the membership’s 40-man roster and may nonetheless play for the Mariners whereas on waivers till or until he’s claimed.
Ought to France clear waivers, the Mariners would then be capable to outright or launch him, although it’s value noting that France has sufficient service time to reject an outright project in favor of free company and that Seattle may additionally merely decide to retain France on their roster afterwards, because the Blue Jays did with middle fielder Kevin Kiermaier earlier this month. As was the case with Kiermaier, the transfer seems to be motivated by a want on the a part of Seattle to discover a taker for France and the rest of his $6.75MM wage this 12 months, although ESPN’s Jeff Passan means that the transfer can also be designed to open up full-time at-bats on the huge league degree for high first base prospect Tyler Locklear.
France, who celebrated his thirtieth birthday final week, is within the midst of a troublesome season on the plate. The primary baseman has slashed simply .224/.313/.351 good for a wRC+ of simply 97 and is placing out at a career-worst 24.5% clip. It’s the second consecutive down 12 months for France, as he posted a considerably lackluster 104 wRC+ in 158 video games with Seattle final 12 months as properly. That down 2023 season led the membership to take heed to provides for the primary baseman final summer season, though no deal finally got here collectively. Almost a 12 months later, the membership is now evidently open to parting methods with France for nothing however wage reduction with Locklear knocking on the door of the majors and France nonetheless struggling to provide at a degree commensurate with the offensive expectations of his place.
It’s been a considerably shocking drop off in manufacturing for France, who was a well-above common bat as just lately as 2022. Acquired from the Padres as a part of the seven-player deal that despatched Austin Nola to San Diego again in 2020, France did nothing however hit throughout his first three seasons with the Mariners. From 2020 to 2022, France slashed a wonderful .285/.355/.443 whereas placing out simply 16.7% of the time and clubbing 42 homers in 335 video games. It’s no less than possible to think about a membership that has a necessity at first base and believes they will unlock that outdated type in France could be keen to pay the rest of his 2024 wage as a way to take that likelihood, though it’s truthful to surprise if golf equipment might desire to see if France clears waivers earlier than making an attempt to accumulate him at a cheaper price within the closing week previous to the July 30 commerce deadline.
Within the meantime, rival golf equipment can have 48 hours from the time France was first waived to assert him, instantly including him to their 40-man roster by doing so. Ought to he cross by waivers unclaimed, the Mariners will then must determine whether or not to launch France or retain him on their roster. Ought to France be launched, he would then be eligible to be signed by any membership for under a prorated portion of the most important league minimal wage. If the membership retains him on the roster, they might presumably proceed to search for a suitor for France’s companies within the run-up to the commerce deadline. It’s even doable that Seattle may look to place France on waivers a second time after the deadline has handed, much like how golf equipment just like the Angels and Yankees dealt with items reminiscent of Lucas Giolito and Harrison Bader final summer season after falling out of rivalry in August.
Seemingly poised to switch France within the Seattle lineup is Locklear, 23. Seattle’s second-rounder within the 2022 draft, Locklear has simply 11 huge league video games beneath his belt, having slashed .200/.250/.433 in a quick cup of espresso whereas France was on the IL earlier this 12 months. In 71 video games between the Double- and Triple-A ranges this 12 months, Locklear has slashed a wonderful .283/.389/.504 whereas placing out at a 24.5% clip that’s, coincidentally, equivalent to France’s personal strikeout price this season.
