Marlins left-hander Grant Dayton is planning to exercise his minor league contract’s opt-out clause on Sunday, FanSided’s Robert Murray reports (via Twitter). As per the usual structure of minors deals, the Marlins could retain Dayton by selecting his contract to the Major League roster, but it doesn’t appear as though the club is willing to make that move.
Dayton has a 3.43 ERA over 102 1/3 career innings in the majors, and left-handed hitters haven’t had much success (.169/.256/.331) against Dayton’s offerings. However, Dayton has been plagued by a 13.6% career home run rate, as well as multiple injuries. A Tommy John surgery cost him all of the 2018 season, and Dayton also missed substantial time in 2019 (foot fracture) and 2021 (shoulder inflammation) campaigns. That latter injury limited Dayton to only 13 innings last year for the World Series champion Braves.
As Triple-A Jacksonville this year, Dayton helped his case for a call-up by posting a 2.51 ERA, 8.5% walk rate, and a huge 37.3% strikeout rate over 14 1/3 innings. However, it seems like Miami is satisfied with the left-handed relief depth they already have in Tanner Scott, Steven Okert, and (currently on the COVID-IL) Richard Bleier. As Murray notes, Dayton figures to generate interest as a free agent, and could find a quicker path back to the majors on a team in more dire need of some left-handed help
Orioles next?
1) NYY 24-8
2) HOU 22-11
3) NYM 22-12
…
20) MIA 14-18
To be fair, he’s pitching well enough in the minors and his mlb career has been good enough where he’s likely to get a shot with a team that has a need for lefty mid relief. Idk who that is…. But got to think someone needs it
I kinda wouldn’t mind if the Mets grabbed him lol
Jays could be in on him too.
Cin 9-24, what am I missing?
Back to the Braves
I’m sure teams are sketched about his injury history. If he gets a shot at the MLB level and gets hurt again, club has to pick up that salary for the rest of the year. It won’t be much but still dead money.
*TALLAHASSEE TURTLES
With how god awful their pen is, it boggles my mind they won’t even give the league minimum to the guy. He’d probably outperform at least half of their relievers