The Padres announced Tuesday that a trio of veteran players have elected free agency. Outfielder Juan Lagares and right-handers Kyle Barraclough and Seth Frankoff are all returning to the open market and will now be free to sign with new clubs. None of the three had been included in San Diego’s player pool.
Lagares, 31, joined the Friars on a minor league pact back in February and, at least in the initial version of Spring Training, was seen as a legitimate candidate for the Opening Day roster. The organization’s thinking looks to have changed in the months since the March shutdown, and Lagares will now look for another club with interest in adding him to its player pool.
The longtime Mets outfielder posted a career-worst .213/.279/.326 batting line in 285 plate appearances last year, but Lagares remains a highly regarded defensive player who’d make a nice reserve option for any team with questionable outfield defense and/or an injury among the team’s starters. The Padres have a crowded outfield mix, however, and younger options they’d seemingly like to get a look at in this shortened season.
Barraclough, 30, was a quality late-inning arm with the Marlins from 2015-17, but he saw his production dip a bit in 2018 before completely cratering in 2019. In 33 2/3 frames between the Nationals and Giants last season, Barraclough was clobbered for 5.61 ERA thanks largely to allowing nine home runs in that short time. Control has always been an issue or Barraclough, who has averaged 5.5 walks per nine innings in the Majors, but he’s also never had a problem missing bats (11.4 K/9).
The 31-year-old Frankoff has just two Major League innings under his belt but is a veteran of eight minor league seasons and a pair of successful campaigns in the Korea Baseball Organization. Frankoff spent the past two seasons with the KBO’s Doosan Bears, pitching to a combined 3.68 ERA with 8.3 K/9, 2.9 BB/9 and 0.6 HR/9 in 266 2/3 frames (50 starts). Like Lagares and Barraclough, he joined the Padres on a minor league deal this winter in hopes of earning his way back to the big leagues with a strong camp showing, but he’ll now need to find another club to give him that opportunity.
Barrclough really fell off
True. But everyone needs relief pitching so someone will pick him up. Lagares, I’m not so sure. It may be over for him.
Lagares is a guy who will have a very short leash with whomever gives him his next chance. Sadly, this may be the beginning of the end, as you point out, for a player who, in his brief prime, was very exciting to watch.
I wouldn’t mind if the Cardinals took a flyer on him to fill in for the void left by Hicks and Brebbia. Sometimes these guys can figure it out working with a new pitching coach.
I agree
Seems like nothing lost here now they have three more spots to bring in some real talent
None of the three was in their 60-man player pool.
Lagares is one of my favorite players but he’s always been defense first and injuries sapped a lot of that from him. I’d take a flier on him as a 5th OFr and see how the D is.
Red Sox could consider Frankoff for a rotation spot
Yea, not too bad an option for a 6th or 7th guy in the rotation with potential to surprise and be a decent #5
At this point,they could consider Lagares for their rotation.
Funny, cuz i thought why not, especially for this year. Give him a shot, you’ve got nothing to lose and if you find a mikolas then you are on to something that has value…
Mikolas had an actual track record of success, albeit in a different league
Maybe back to the KBO for Frankoff? SK Wyverns are looking for a foreign pitcher
That or the Samsung Lions since Ben Lively is still injured, Hanuwa probably needs him to replace the horrible Chad Bell, and Lotte might get rid of Adrian Sampson soon if he keeps pitching poorly.
Just dead weight for the Padres. They are a better than people give them credit for
Frankoff is a cast-off who was unable to make the Padre’s 60-man. If he is an option for any team’s rotation, even #5-#7, that team has serious problems.
Boston should take a look, not sure on a long look, but a look just the same…
Who is the ptbnl in the Mateo trade..?
Not sure even their respective GM’s know that yet
It’s a prospect currently not in the player pool so the deal likely won’t be completed until after the season because that gives both teams additional roster flexibility
But PSA: It 100% won’t be a 2020 draftee like so many people kept saying on the original article about the trade. The rule change closed the loophole that allowed recently drafted players to be included as PTBNL’s.
I would imagine it will possibly be tied to how well he does this season in some way. Also, I don’t believe in any way it would have included any if their recent picks. In drafting at least the Padres know what they are doing compared to most clubs and his upside isn’t up to their newest draftees. Nuff said.
Even if his upside were up to their newest draftees, they literally aren’t allowed to trade those players until the 2020 World Series has concluded. And yes, that includes using them as a PTBNL.