The Mariners have positioned first baseman Ty France on outright waivers, in keeping with Ryan Divish of The Seattle Instances. France stays on the membership’s 40-man roster and may nonetheless play for the Mariners whereas on waivers till or until he’s claimed.
Ought to France clear waivers, the Mariners would then have the ability to outright or launch him, although it’s value noting that France has sufficient service time to reject an outright project in favor of free company and that Seattle might additionally merely decide to retain France on their roster afterwards, because the Blue Jays did with heart fielder Kevin Kiermaier earlier this month. As was the case with Kiermaier, the transfer seems to be motivated by a need on the a part of Seattle to discover a taker for France and the rest of his $6.75MM wage this 12 months, although ESPN’s Jeff Passan means that the transfer can also be designed to open up full-time at-bats on the massive league degree for high first base prospect Tyler Locklear.
France, who celebrated his thirtieth birthday final week, is within the midst of a tough season on the plate. The primary baseman has slashed simply .224/.313/.351 good for a wRC+ of simply 97 and is hanging out at a career-worst 24.5% clip. It’s the second consecutive down 12 months for France, as he posted a considerably lackluster 104 wRC+ in 158 video games with Seattle final 12 months as properly. That down 2023 season led the membership to hearken to gives for the primary baseman final summer season, though no deal in the end got here collectively. Practically a 12 months later, the membership is now evidently open to parting methods with France for nothing however wage reduction with Locklear knocking on the door of the majors and France nonetheless struggling to provide at a degree commensurate with the offensive expectations of his place.
Extra to return…
