The Marlins introduced they’ve signed infielder/outfielder Eric Wagaman to a one-year main league deal. Infielder Vidal Bruján has been designated for task because the corresponding transfer. Wage figures for Wagaman weren’t reported but it surely’s seemingly close to the foremost league minimal for the reason that Paragon Sports activities Worldwide consumer simply made his main league debut this 12 months. Daniel Álvarez-Montes of El Extrabase reported on the signing previous to the official announcement.
Wagaman, 27, was drafted by the Yankees and spent his whole profession with that membership till a couple of 12 months in the past, when the Angels plucked him away within the minor league section of the 2023 Rule 5 draft. After a robust season within the minors, the Angels known as him as much as the large leagues on September 10. He obtained into 18 video games down the stretch because the membership was taking part in out a dropping season, stepping to the plate 74 instances and hitting .250/.270/.403. He was non-tendered on the finish of the 12 months, sending him to free company with out being uncovered to waivers.
That’s a really small pattern measurement and the Marlins in all probability aren’t giving it a lot weight. He has 897 minor league plate appearances over the previous three years, with some intriguing numbers in that bigger pattern. He hit 35 residence runs, struck out simply 16.9% of the time and drew walks at a 9.5% clip. He has a mixed batting line of .276/.348/.473 over these three seasons, which interprets to a 129 wRC+.
He additionally stole 26 bases in that stretch, getting caught seven instances. Defensively, Wagaman was largely a primary baseman with the Yankees however the Angels fanned him out a bit, having him line up at first but additionally third base and the outfield corners this 12 months.
The rebuilding Marlins have little or no settled of their place participant combine. Finally 12 months’s deadline, they traded away Jazz Chisholm Jr., Josh Bell and Bryan De La Cruz. This offseason, they’ve despatched Jake Burger packing as nicely. Not one of the place gamers on the roster have even 4 years of main league service time. Jesús Sánchez is the one man with greater than three, whereas Nick Fortes and Derek Hill are the one guys with greater than two.
Briefly, there’s little or no written in stone. Sánchez will seemingly have a nook outfield job however is a candidate to be traded if the Marlins get a proposal they like. Connor Norby, Jonah Bride, Griffin Conine, Deyvison De Los Santos, Kyle Stowers and others are candidates for jobs within the corners however they’re all pretty inexperienced. Wagaman has a full slate of choices, so he can present minor league depth at varied spots or battle for an enormous league job. He has only a few days of service time and could be cheaply retained into the long run if he continues to hold onto his roster spot.
Bruján, 27 in February, was as soon as a high 100 prospect however he hasn’t but lived as much as that hype. He was praised for his pace, athleticism, plate self-discipline and talent to play a number of positions. Sadly, he hasn’t been in a position to do sufficient injury with the bat to make an impression. He has stepped to the plate 550 instances over the previous 4 seasons, with 5 residence runs and a .189/.261/.270 batting line. He has swiped 14 luggage however he’s additionally been caught 13 instances.
DFA limbo usually lasts every week however current years have seen that clock paused over the interval from Christmas to New Yr’s. On this date final 12 months, Ryan Jensen was designated for task by the Marlins and he wasn’t claimed off waivers by the Twins till January 4, over two weeks later. That may give the Fish a while to see if any membership is all for taking a flier on Bruján.
For what it’s price, the minor league outcomes have continued to be good, at the same time as he has floundered within the majors. He has simply over a thousand Triple-A plate appearances over the previous 4 years and has slashed .272/.357/.451 in these for a wRC+ of 113. He’s out of choices however he has lower than three years of service time, that means he can present 4 years of membership management if any group is keen to offer him a roster spot. He has performed each place besides catcher, giving him loads of methods to theoretically slot right into a membership’s plans.
