The Mariners announced they’ve designated right-hander Phillips Valdez for assignment. The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for backstop Brian O’Keefe, whose selection to the majors was reported this morning.
Valdez was claimed off waivers by Seattle in late July after the Red Sox designated him for assignment. The righty had been with the Red Sox since the 2020 season, when they claimed him off waivers themselves from the Rangers. For his major league career, Valdez has posted a 4.56 ERA and matching 4.59 FIP in 102 2/3 innings.
Valdez never made it into a game for Seattle this season, though he posted a 4.41 ERA in 16 1/3 innings with Boston this season. Otherwise, he has pitched at the Triple-A level this season, posting a 3.60 ERA across 39 innings split between the Worcester Red Sox and the Tacoma Rainiers. While his Triple-A numbers have been respectable this season, Valdez has seemingly struggled with his command during his time in the majors this season, walking seven while hitting another six batters.
Seattle will have 7 days to either release Valdez or send him through outright waivers. Should he be outrighted, Valdez will qualify for minor league free agency this offseason unless the Mariners add him back onto the 40-man roster. With Valdez off the 40-man, the Mariners still have Brennan Bernardino, Juan Then, and Justus Sheffield on the roster as depth options in the minors.
First thought that Framber instead…
Watch the Rays snap him up and turn him into something very useful. No better org at doing that.
In Boston hit 6 batters in 16 1/3 inning. Add that to his hits and walks, and you have 25 base runners or 1.55, which is not horrible. It does show slack of command.
A whole lot of waiver claims and borderline players will be DFAed over the next few weeks.
Valdez throws mostly Change-ups and struggles to control them. His Fastball is unfortunately very hitable as well. Was hoping after a decent stretch in Boston’s ‘pen last season that he would continue to improve but it just didn’t happen
Disagree. Likely to get quiet once the playoffs start. The reason to DFA someone is to make room on a roster, there’s no need to do that until the offseason starts. There’s been a bit of a flurry of these types of moves the last week as teams decide to give a look to some young guys but that’s pretty much done with just 6 games left.
Offseason is in a week and World Series will be over not long after, so yes, DFAs, non-tenders, out rights, releases will come in mass SOON (unless you are 5 years old and can’t wait for Christmas) lol.
who woulda thought it? Jake Fraley is having a much better season than Winker!
how?
Any stats to report?
I like Fraley, wish the Ms didn’t move him as he hs that nice speed/defense/decent walk rate combo to get on base. But his “better” season also comes with several injuries, rehab stints, and less than half the ABs of Winker. The trade also brought Eugenio to Seattle. So can’t complain too much.
kjt404….that is a very fair assessment. cant wait to see the young infielders Reds got from M’s. you got an ace in Castillo.
No surprise, he’s an AAAA pitcher. Wasn’t very successful in Boston either.
Congrats to the M’s and their fans on making it back to the playoffs. With Castillo added to the rotation, that’s a dangerous team. Most HR in the AL since August and second only to the Cardinals.
So they DFA’d BOTH Phillips? That’s 2 DFA’s in one.