With the commerce deadline simply eight days away and an early morning signing already within the books, listed below are three issues we’ll be keeping track of across the baseball world all through the day immediately:
1. France on waivers:
The Mariners reportedly positioned first baseman Ty France on waivers yesterday, making him out there to any of the opposite 29 golf equipment within the league keen to select up the rest of his $6.775MM wage for the 2024 season. France, 30, is within the midst of his second consecutive down season on the plate. Relationship again to the beginning of the 2023 season, the primary baseman has slashed simply .241/.328/.361 (101 wRC+), although within the three seasons previous to that he posted a much more strong .285/.355/.443 (128 wRC+) line.
Even France’s more moderen manufacturing, whereas definitely disappointing for a primary baseman, may very well be useful for a contender such because the Astros or Yankees that has gotten below-average offense out of the place this yr. That doesn’t essentially imply both membership (or another staff, for that matter) will declare France whereas he’s on waivers, nevertheless. golf equipment might as a substitute look forward to France to clear waivers after which both signal him for the prorated league minimal if he’s launched by the Mariners, or attempt to work out a commerce the place they tackle much less cash if Seattle retains him.
2. Braves selling prime infield prospect:
The Braves are set to position second baseman Ozzie Albies on the injured listing immediately after he suffered a wrist fracture throughout yesterday’s recreation. He’ll be out for roughly eight weeks and, Atlanta is poised to show to infield prospect Nacho Alvarez at second base. Alvarez just isn’t but on the 40-man roster, and whereas the membership’s roster at the moment stands at 39 that determine doesn’t together with veteran utility man Whit Merrifield, who the membership signed to a giant league deal this morning. As such, a 40-man transfer shall be obligatory so as to add Alvarez to the roster. That may very well be achieved by inserting Albies on the 60-day IL, though it’s additionally potential the membership as a substitute opts to designate one other participant for project to maintain the door open for Albies to return forward of schedule.
Alvarez, 21, started the yr hitting nicely (115 wRC+) on the Double-A degree however has actually taken off following his promotion to Triple-A. In 28 video games on the highest degree of the minors, the teen has slashed .336/.432/.575 with seven homers and 5 stolen bases in simply 132 journeys to the plate. That tantalizing energy and velocity potential is paired with strong on-base means, as Alvarez has walked (12.9%) practically as a lot as he strikes out (15.2%) to date in Triple-A.
3. Dodgers more likely to promote beginning pitching prospect:
Final week, it was reported that the Dodgers had been planning to advertise right-handed pitching prospect River Ryan to the majors within the days following the All-Star break. Whereas Ryan didn’t make his debut over the weekend, supervisor Dave Roberts confirmed to reporters (together with Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Instances) on Saturday that Ryan was an choice to start out for the membership this week, suggesting that both immediately or tomorrow may very well be on the desk for the righty. Since then, the membership has introduced that rookie Landon Knack will take the ball tomorrow earlier than Clayton Kershaw and Tyler Glasnow return to motion later this week, leaving Ryan as a potential starter for the membership’s recreation towards the Giants tonight.
Ryan has made simply 5 begins on the Triple-A degree this yr after the beginning of his season was delayed by a shoulder situation, however he’s appeared nice with a 2.76 ERA and three.64 FIP to go together with a 28.8% strikeout charge in 16 1/3 innings of labor. Ought to the Dodgers wind up turning to Ryan this night, the membership might want to make corresponding strikes to create house for the teen on each their 40-man and energetic rosters as Ryan’s contract has not but been chosen from the minors.
