The White Sox have designated Emilio Bonifacio for assignment, as Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune tweets. Manager Robin Ventura told reporters, including Kane, that the way Trayce Thompson has played since coming up played into the club’s decision to remove Bonifacio from the 40-man.
Bonifacio, 30, has struggled mightily in 2015. In 82 plate appearances for the White Sox, the veteran owns a dismal .167/.198/.192. The versatile Bonifacio has given the White Sox innings at second base, center field, left field, and third base this season, but his performance at the plate has negated his contributions as a utility player.
Bonifacio, a client of agent Gene Mato, signed a one-year, $3MM deal with the White Sox back in January. That pact included a club option for the 2015 season but he’ll instead collect on a $1MM buyout. The switch-hitting Bonifacio played second base, third base, shortstop, and all three outfield positions between the Cubs and Braves in 2014, batting .259/.305/.345 with 26 steals in 426 plate appearances along the way.
Bonifacio now joins Jose Dominguez, Chris Capuano, Brad Mills, Drew Stubbs, Garrett Jones, Dale Thayer, Taylor Lindsey, and Justin Masterson in DFA limbo. To keep track of everyone in DFA limbo, check out MLBTR’s DFA Tracker.
I don’t deny that that slash line is awful, but he’s been available for what, about 100 games this season? And has 82 PA in 16 starts? Few players in baseball can get anything going in those conditions. If a team can move him around the diamond and get him a few starts per week I think you’ll see those numbers move up toward his career numbers.