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Zach Plesac Files For Free Agency

By Nick Deeds | October 15, 2023 at 12:07pm CDT

Right-hander Zach Plesac recently filed for free agency, according to his player profile on MLB.com. Plesac, 28, struggled to a 7.59 ERA and 4.47 FIP across five starts with the Guardians this season before being designated for assignment back in June. His struggles continued at the Triple-A level after he accepted an outright assignment, with the righty posting a 6.08 ERA in 19 appearances for the club’s affiliate in Columbus.

Plesac made his major league debut in 2019 and had the look of a solid mid-rotation starter, with a 3.81 ERA (126 ERA+) across 21 starts in his rookie season, though his 4.94 FIP and lackluster 18.4% strikeout rate both left much to be desired. During the shortened 2020 season, Plesac took a significant leap forward, with an incredible 2.28 ERA that was 96% better than league average by measure of ERA+ and a strong 3.39 FIP. In the shortened season, Plesac’s peripherals caught up to his performance as he struck out 27.7% of batters faced while walking just 2.9%.

Headed into the 2021 campaign, Plesac looked like he’d be a stalwart of Cleveland’s rotation for years to come. That did not come to pass, however, as Plesac reverted to his previous, low-strikeout rate form in 2021 and beyond. Unlike 2019, however, his results fell back down to Earth alongside his peripherals, leaving him with a 4.49 ERA (90 ERA+) and a 4.59 FIP across 274 1/3 innings between 2021 and 2022. During that time, he struck out a measly 17.2% of batters faced, the fifth-worst punchout rate among starters with at least 250 innings pitched between the two seasons.

Now that Plesac has elected free agency, he’ll be able to look for the chance to continue his career with any of the 30 big league clubs. Given his brutal results both in the majors and at Triple-A this year, it’s hard to imagine him finding anything better than a minor league offer with a contender. That said, it’s at least feasible that a team without hope of contending next season could offer Plesac a spot in the Opening Day rotation given the upside he flashed early in his career, his relative youth, and the fact that he could be controlled beyond the 2024 campaign.

If such an offer doesn’t materialize, Plesac could be one of the more interesting depth starters to be had on a minors pact this winter. After all, even his considerably diminished performance in 2021 and 2022 was just below league average for a starting pitcher, and even a contending club could do far worse than Plesac if looking for a stopgap option to cover for a midseason rotation injury. Further adding to his value on the open market is the fact that Plesac has minor league options remaining, meaning an interested club could shuttle him from the majors to Triple-A throughout next season without exposing him to waivers.

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Cleveland Guardians Transactions Zach Plesac

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58 Comments

  1. Redsoxx_62

    2 years ago

    I would guess he gets a major league deal with someone like the A’s

    8
    Reply
    • MLB Top 100 Commenter

      2 years ago

      Agree

      1
      Reply
    • Cora the Destroya

      2 years ago

      I think it could even be a team in contention. Honestly, a 4.47 FIP is not too bad and he may just need a change of scenery. He was really good in 2019. At his age, it’s hard to see regression.

      1
      Reply
      • thegreatgoodbye

        2 years ago

        I wonder if NYY reaches out since Matt Blake worked with Plesac

        Reply
    • CKinSTL

      2 years ago

      Every team had an opportunity to grab him last year. Unless a team thinks they can fix his stuff – it is hard to envision a major league deal. He is primarily a FB/slider guy and his average FB velocity has dropped to 91 MPH.

      3
      Reply
      • superunclea

        2 years ago

        Somehow he’ll sign with Tampa and come up throwing 98 and unhittable. Not sure how they do it, but they do.

        2
        Reply
      • Cora the Destroya

        2 years ago

        It’s a new year. Maybe a minor league deal but I don’t think he’s going to give up. I also think it’s worth a shot looking at his age and past success.

        But the FIP and ERA from last year are 3 runs apart (with FIP being better), which tells you that something wasn’t quite right.

        Reply
    • Dumpster Divin Theo

      2 years ago

      Sounds like a cub his happy go lucky but not drunk uncle would approve

      Reply
    • refereemn77

      2 years ago

      Minor league deal with invite to camp.

      Reply
  2. In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani

    2 years ago

    His Uncle should report it at MLB Network.

    3
    Reply
  3. LordD99

    2 years ago

    Seems like he’s a free agent a year earlier than expected. B-R also indicates Cleveland had another year of control. Is this because he was now in the minors

    2
    Reply
    • layventsky

      2 years ago

      Yes, he qualified for minor league free agency. If he were still on the 40-man roster and tendered a contract offer, he would then qualify for free agency next year.

      3
      Reply
  4. PutPeteinthehall

    2 years ago

    White Sox…..sadly

    Reply
    • Bob Sacamano 310

      2 years ago

      Bring back Clevinger, sign Plesac and Bauer

      Reply
      • LordD99

        2 years ago

        Kluber will be available too. Just rebuild the former Indians rotation. (They were the Indians back then, so use of the name is allowed. I just reviewed the rules.)

        14
        Reply
        • Bob Sacamano 310

          2 years ago

          Lol I agree. Saying they are former Guardians is incorrect

          6
          Reply
        • Bob Sacamano 310

          2 years ago

          Rotation of: Clevinger, Bauer, Plesac, Kluber, Kopech with Cease dealt for prospects. Or keep Cease and bump Kluber to long-relief role. F it

          2
          Reply
        • FenwayFanatic

          2 years ago

          Kluber. Oh my goodness, he might just retire.

          1
          Reply
        • LordD99

          2 years ago

          I thought Kluber looked decent when he pitched for the Yankees after battling back from injuries the prior two years. Not Cy Young-level Kluber, but solid. He regressed in Tampa, and then the bottom fell out in Boston. Probably should retire, but wouldn’t shock me if he tried to hook on with another team.

          1
          Reply
        • CO Guardening

          2 years ago

          I just call them the Ians. Covers the last hundred years of team history.

          3
          Reply
      • Dumpster Divin Theo

        2 years ago

        We’re bringing the band back together. At least he can see his buddies in Chicago full time without risk getting deported to Eastern Ohio in an Uber for breaking curfew

        Reply
    • Redsoxx_62

      2 years ago

      I can definitely see that

      Reply
    • Col_chestbridge

      2 years ago

      I think given all their issues about “culture”, bringing in a guy who has damaged his own pitching hand – twice – having on field tantrums during pennant races is probably not what they need.

      2
      Reply
      • Bob Sacamano 310

        2 years ago

        I wasn’t really serious but they do need arms

        Reply
    • Mr. E Team

      2 years ago

      The ChiSox hired Brian Bannister away from the Giants, presumably for reclamation projects like Plesac.

      1
      Reply
    • YEP

      2 years ago

      His home town team would be either the Cubs or Sox being from northwestern Indiana.

      1
      Reply
  5. HalosHeavenJJ

    2 years ago

    On the one hand it would be nice to buy low on a guy for once.

    But Cleveland is as good as it gets at developing pitchers and if they can’t fix him, the Angels crack pot coaching staff can’t.

    6
    Reply
  6. Indianfan

    2 years ago

    Addition for the Guardians by subtraction. A total waste of potential talent. Too busy trying to look cool.

    6
    Reply
  7. Hemlock

    2 years ago

    The White Sox should sign Zack and have Brian Bannister and his staff work with him.

    1
    Reply
  8. Citizen1

    2 years ago

    Arizona should sign Zach Plesac and wheeler and have all Zach starters.

    4
    Reply
  9. thegreatgoodbye

    2 years ago

    Wonder if NYY reaches out since NYY pitching coach used to work with Plesac

    Reply
  10. scruffmcgruff

    2 years ago

    I could see the O’s take a flyer on him. Ray’s as well. Definitely a low risk, serviceable reward type of moves.

    2
    Reply
    • solaris602

      2 years ago

      He’ll be a Cy Young candidate within 2 years with TB, but they won’t extend him beyond that because he’ll be “too expensive”. They trade him to ANA where he’ll turn back into a pumpkin. We’ve seen that movie too many times.

      4
      Reply
    • solaris602

      2 years ago

      Correct. Word is he struggles too much with his emotions, and he’s not one to be open to instruction.

      2
      Reply
      • Hemlock

        2 years ago

        Immature—time and getting older changes that, so long as his skills haven’t eroded by then.

        2
        Reply
  11. hiflew

    2 years ago

    Yet another mirage from the 2020 “season.” At the time, I really wanted MLB to play something, but looking back amongst the small samples, the cardboard cutouts, and the masks, I really wish they had just taken the year off.

    2
    Reply
    • Hemlock

      2 years ago

      I agree and the shortened season looks ridiculous in the record books. Previous generations took years off to go fight wars; today’s generation took a year off to fight the sniffles.

      8
      Reply
      • hiflew

        2 years ago

        Even then they didn’t shorten the season. They just played with players not in the war. If I am not mistaken, that was when 15 year old Joe Nuxhall pitched in the majors.

        2
        Reply
        • Hemlock

          2 years ago

          Some of Joe’s career highlights—
          Pitching
          Two All-stars
          135-117 W/L
          3.90 ERA / 3.57 FIP
          2302 2/3 Innings
          526 Games 287 Starts
          83 Complete Games
          20 Shutouts
          19 Saves 100 Games Finished

          Hitting
          .198/.240/.292
          15 HR

          1953–
          Hit .327/.377/.551
          3 HR in 49 AB
          His OPS+ was 138 and may have won the pitcher’s Silver Slugger if awarded back then

          3
          Reply
        • hiflew

          2 years ago

          He was before my time when he played, but I grew up listening to him as the co-voice of the Reds with Marty Brennaman. Great guy.

          2
          Reply
      • stymeedone

        2 years ago

        It wasn’t the “sniffles.” It was a pandemic that killed millions.

        3
        Reply
  12. FenwayFanatic

    2 years ago

    Come to Boston

    1
    Reply
  13. angt222

    2 years ago

    TB will sign him for 1 yr/$2.5M to start, and he will pitch like an All-Star.

    5
    Reply
  14. AndyM

    2 years ago

    Matt Blake’s pitching clinic needs to take a look at this guy

    Reply
    • LordD99

      2 years ago

      Normally I’d agree, but Cleveland couldn’t fix him and that’s their core strength.

      4
      Reply
  15. Slider_withcheese

    2 years ago

    He’s beyond repair. He’s Manoah-esq but with a worse father

    3
    Reply
  16. Herc33

    2 years ago

    I feel like this has Padres written all over it. They need numerous SP and Ruben Niebla knows him from his time in CLE. Probably in as good a position as anyone to try to get him back on track

    1
    Reply
  17. JFactor

    2 years ago

    This will be one of the 3 starters Moz from the Cardinals gets this off-season

    1
    Reply
    • tbone0816

      2 years ago

      I agree

      Reply
  18. Yanks2

    2 years ago

    This guy’s uncle from MLB Network is a total dbag

    1
    Reply
  19. acoss13

    2 years ago

    If Cleveland couldn’t fix him, not sure other teams can do much. Might be worth a shot at a one-year deal with a team in Japan or South Korea.

    2
    Reply
  20. In nurse follars

    2 years ago

    Some team desperate for pitching will take a chance.

    1
    Reply
  21. steelerbravenation

    2 years ago

    Pirates should take a flyer on him

    1
    Reply
  22. Old York

    2 years ago

    Why is the guy throwing so many sliders compared to 2019/2020 when he had some success?

    I don’t think he survives as a starter anymore but I could see him in a bullpen role for a team. His kwERA 4.08, 4.09 & 4.37 the past 3 years so that’s not going to get it done as an MLB starter but removing the defense ability behind the guy and focusing on his pitching alone, a 4+ FIP/kwERA could be worked on from a bullpen perspective. Big thing for him is that he doesn’t walk a lot of guys so he needs to focus on reducing the hard hit balls and induce more weak contact.

    Sign a minors deal and have him focus on being more of a bullpen guy to come in for 2 or 3 innings. It takes a lot of pressure off him as a starter and if he’s motivated enough, he’ll make the changes.

    Reply
    • PutPeteinthehall

      2 years ago

      Look at the headline photo. I believe he’s grabbing some grip.

      Reply
  23. Ted

    2 years ago

    Every team in the league realistically needs 10 players capable of making starts to start the year. A five man rotation, a swing man in the pen who can throw 4 innings, two high level prospects, and two vets lurking in AAA.

    Plenty of opportunities for a guy like this

    Reply
  24. GarryHarris

    2 years ago

    Zack won’t go unsigned long.

    Reply
  25. Dad

    2 years ago

    Here’s a St Louis Cardinal !

    Reply

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