With the trade deadline just eight days away and early morning signings already in the books, here are three things we'll be looking at around the world of baseball all day today:
1. France on the move:
The Mariners have reportedly drafted a first baseman France on waivers yesterday, making him available to any of the other 29 clubs in the league willing to pick up the remainder of his $6.775MM salary for the 2024 season. The 30-year-old Frenchman is in the midst of his second straight season at the top level. Since the start of the 2023 season, the first baseman has slashed .241/.328/.361 (101 wRC+), although in the three seasons before that he posted a much stronger .285/.355/. 443 (128 wRC+) streak.
Even France's recent production, while certainly disappointing for a first-timer, could be helpful to an opponent like the Astros or the Yankees who have had a below-average offense at the position this year. That doesn't mean any club (or any other team, for that matter) will be looking for France while he's out. Interested clubs could wait for France to clear waivers and sign him for a minor league deal if he is released by the Mariners, or try to make a deal for less money if Seattle keeps him.
2. Braves who develop high chances within the field:
The Braves will field a second baseman Ozzie Albies on the injured list today after breaking his wrist in yesterday's game. He will be out for about eight weeks and, Atlanta is ready to turn to an infield prospect Nacho Alvarez on second base. Alvarez is not yet on the 40-man roster, and the club's roster currently stands at 39. That number does not include the veteran utility man. Whit Merrifield, the team that signed a major league deal this morning. As such, a 40-man move would be required to add Alvarez to the roster. That could be accomplished by placing Albies on 60-day IL, though it's also possible the club could instead choose to designate another player for assignment to open the door for Albies to return early.
Alvarez, 21, started the year hitting well (115 wRC+) at the Double-A level but has picked up steam following his promotion to Triple-A. In a career-high 28 games in the minors, the junior slashed .336/.432/.575 with seven homers and five stolen bases in just 132 trips to the plate. That incredible power and speed has been paired with solid on-base ability, as Alvarez has walked (12.9%) nearly as much as he has struck out (15.2%) so far in Triple-A.
3. Dodgers may promote starting prospect:
Last week, it was reported that the Dodgers were planning to promote the right fielding prospect Ryan River in the majors in the days following the All-Star break. Although Ryan did not make his debut over the weekend, manager Dave Roberts confirmed to reporters (including Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times) on Saturday that Ryan had a chance to start for the club this week, suggesting that today or tomorrow is a possibility. on the table of the righteous. Since then, the club has announced that player Landon Knack he will take the ball tomorrow earlier Clayton Kershaw again Tyler Glasnow will return to action later this week, leaving Ryan as the likely starter for the club's game against the Giants tonight.
Ryan has made just five starts at the Triple-A level this year after his season started delayed by a shoulder problem, but he has looked good with a 2.76 ERA and 3.64 FIP to go along with a 28.8% strikeout rate in 16 1/3 innings. innings of work. If the Dodgers end up turning to Ryan tonight, the club will need to make corresponding moves to create room for youth on their 40-man roster and is active since Ryan's contract has not yet been picked up in the minors.
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