August 28: The Tigers announced today that Diaz has elected free agency.
August 27: The Tigers announced this afternoon that infielder Isan Diaz has cleared waivers and been assigned outright to Triple-A Toledo. As there had been no prior public indication that Diaz had been designated for assignment and a corresponding addition to the club’s roster was not announced, Detroit’s 40-man roster now stands at 39.
Diaz, 27, made his big league debut with the Marlins back in 2019. A former second-round pick, Diaz has played solid defense at both second and third base but has never managed to hit much in the majors, slashing just .177/.267/.274 in 527 career trips to the plate. He’s been an up-and-down bench player throughout most of his career, with his most expansive role coming with Miami during the 2021 season. That year, Diaz appeared in 89 games and slashed .193/.293/.282 with a wRC+ of 55.
Diaz was outrighted off the Marlins’ roster just before the start of the 2022 campaign before being promptly traded to the Giants for cash. Though he didn’t make a big league appearance in 2022, the Giants returned him to the 40-man roster and deployed him in six games this season, though Diaz batted a woeful .053/.143/.053 in that brief stint with San Francisco. The Giants designated Diaz for assignment earlier this month, at which point he was claimed off waivers by the Tigers. Diaz then appeared in two games with Detroit, though he failed to reach base in his five trips to the plate.
As Diaz has been outrighted previously in his career, he’ll have the opportunity to reject today’s outright assignment and test free agency, should he wish. He’s posted a solid .242/.333/.492 slash line in the minors this year, indicating that it’s possible the 27-year-old infielder has something left in the tank that could be attractive on a minor league deal to clubs in need of infield depth. Should Diaz elect free agency, he would need to sign with a club before September 1 in order to be eligible for the postseason. As for the Tigers, they’ll remain well-stocked with infield options at the Triple-A level in the event Diaz departs, with Tyler Nevin, Eddys Leonard, Nick Maton, and Ryan Kreidler all on the 40-man roster.
Just house cleaning or preparing to add someone to the 40 man? Malloy, Keith, Mize?
My guess is there’s going to be a couple more in the next few days to make room for call-ups. There’s a lot of players who don’t deserve a 40 man spot, so hard to guess which ones next
They’ll most likely call up Englert and one position player in September. I’d say Malloy, but would they really want six outfielders on the team?
Or DFA Andrew Vasquez and Cisnero since neither of them have a future on the team, replace with Wentz and Englert, and then call up two position players…. Malloy and maybe give Nevin or Kriedler one more chance at 3B.
Leonard rocking a 1.092 OPS with Toledo. LAD made a mistake letting him go.
He has looked sharp since they picked him up. I’d like to see what he’s got when September callups come around. Him, Malloy and Wenceel Perez who I believe is already on the 40 man.
Likely, they’ll call one position player up in September.
The Hens have several guys hitting Triple A well! Leonard has some pop, Perez has been swinging well. Really the entire lineup hit well this week for Toledo as they put up some big run totals.
Yeah, you look at the Mud Hen’s starting lineup and just about everyone has an OPS of .700 or better (many of them over .800). They’ve scored a ton of runs this month.
Saw his first game , hit a hr off degrom, so much hype , since then literally one of the worst hitters I’ve ever seen in 50 years. Granted limited ABs. Eye test.
Yes Cam Gallagher worse than even you
At -2.9 career bWAR is he the worst active player? Could someone here with Stathead look this up?
The Isan Diaz era. Over in Detroit!
Not a very aggressive leadership here.
Why worry about losing guys on the wire?Unnecessary conservatism and selfish.
Let them find a landing place themselves.
I knew his Diaz were numbered from the beginning ! 🙂
a solid .243 in the Minors isn’t solid
Oh no, some club take Diaz before Pirates sign him please. It’s a mercy call out for us Pittsburgh fans! These are the guys Pittsburgh loves to sign. Please help us by stealing him from the Pirates. We have so many like him and we can’t handle one more.