Paul Hoynes wrote this morning that the Guardians were obviously giving up on the season to play the young guys. I scoffed a little as I thought that was a really bleak outlook.
Then I saw the news today. Bobby Bradley released and Franmil Reyes DFAd.
When you get sent to the minors because you sucked in the majors (Bradley) and then you look as bad at AAA, it is sometimes good for a change in scenery. Obviously even the most minor deal couldn't be had for Bradley so he was released. Don't know whose fault it was, Bradley's or the Guardians but a guy with this much promise should not flame out this badly.
As far as Reyes, this was a shock. My guess is, and it is only my guess, is that there are some attitude issues here. Going all conspiracy theory on this one, a lot of Reyes' underperformance seemed to start when Jose Ramirez signed his extension. I wonder if Reyes was hurt that he didn't get an extension, too, after his last couple of seasons and just went through the motions. Only he and his teammates know for sure but if he had attitude when he went to Columbus, that certainly could have been the last straw for this organization. Certainly he didn't tear it up when he went down to AAA even thosgh that sample size was ultra-small. The math doesn't add up for them to DFA him so soon unless there was more there than a single season slump for a guy who has shown this much so recently in the majors.
For both these players it is just a waste, almost an insurmountable waste, that we will likely lose both these players and get nothing back. Now, of course, Reyes could go unclaimed and, as this is the first time he has ever been DFAd I think he has to accept his assignment to Columbus. If so, this is just a paperwork move to remove him from the 40-man. If some team picks him up on waivers that team would be on the hook for almost $2 million of his remaining salary. Even then, however, here you have a guy who hit 30 HRs last year and 37 in 2019 who has 1 option remaining heading into next year. It think it is a fair guess to assume he will be snapped up by the Pirates or Reds in short order here. If not, we have him at AAA and can bring him back up if he ever gets it together.
Hunter Gaddis was not awful last night. He looked about the same as he did at AAA, factoring in that he knew throwing the ball down the middle would have been death in the majors. Basically, he just wasn't ready. Now he needs to go back to AAA and get ready. I really, really believe that him starting this game is a good sign because I know he can't be considered a fungible (extemely expendable/replacement level) asset. So Gaddis, who was on the bubble to be added to the 40 man this winter due to a numbers crunch, is now on the roster. He made it, which is good for the future of the Guardians, in my opinon.
Jake Jewell up to the majors? Fungible assets. I doubt if Mikolajchak would have been called up if he had struck out 3 in a row the other night instead of giving up 5 hits in a row as he is a prospect who they wouldn't want to DFA to create roster space. So they bring up Jewell and DFA him if they need his spot. Just like they have with other guys this season. No news here.
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