Zack Meisel
@ZackMeisel
·
1h
The Guardians are designating Zach Plesac for assignment.

They also optioned reliever Michael Kelly to Triple-A, all of this to clear a spot for Triston McKenzie’s return today.

I was not pleased with Plesac's behavior problems and not excited about his pitching in the past 1 1/3 seasons, but this move still startles me. His lack of success at Columbus convinced them either that he has really lost his command, or perhaps has lost his desire to work hard, or both. I expected him to return as a decent middle reliever someday. Not for Cleveland apparently, unless no one scoops him up

I would be guessing that they know that another team is interested and saving part of his 2.9 million salary is why they are doing it now.

it is cheaper for another team to not put in a waiver claim but wait until he's a free agent. then they're not stuck with his salary.
but you are most likely right: if multiple teams have interest then a waiver claim and a deal would be the route to Zach's new home

If another team is interested, why didn't they trade him?

The answer is nobody wants the rest of his contract. They'll wait till he clears waivers. Then the G's are responsible for his salary. G's may get a few bucks back in an after waivers trade.

If he clears waivers the Guardians can assign him to the minors. Plesac has the right to decline the assignment but he immediately loses what is left of his 2023 salary. So if traded or he declines the assignment to the minors the Guardians rid themselves of his contract.

The DFA thing just puts a time frame for all interested parties.

Going forward, the Guardians will have one week to waive or trade Plesac before either assigning him outright to Triple-A or granting him his release. Of course, Plesac has three years of big league service time, giving him the option to reject an outright assignment. That said, he would forgo the remainder of his $2.95MM salary in doing so, making it rather unlikely Plesac decides to test the open market.

Of course, it’s possible things won’t even progress that far. Plesac, as an optionable pitcher who’s still just 28 years old with a history of success int he big leagues, could draw interest from pitching-needy clubs such as the Rockies, Cardinals, or Rays even in spite of his extreme struggles this season.

MLB Trade rumors

Daily Bo Naylor update:

Nothing new. As usual.

Bo Naylor daily update.

No news is bad news.

Daily Bo Naylor Update

Zunino with one of his solid days at the plate: only 3 K in 4 AB and he even managed an infield single. No passed balls, no wild pitches, 2 successful steals against.
Bo in Columbus: also one single in 4 AB, one K. 2 WP, his fault or Cantillo's? One steal against.

Also in AA: Lavastida single double homer; 3 steals against one caught; one throwing error

Bo Naylor Daily progress report

1-5 no steals no wild pitches no passed balls

Gallagher 2-4 one steal against one wild pitch allowed

Going out on a limb here. I think Bo Naylor will be up within the next 12 days. That is as long as they do not acquire a backup catcher based on Plesac or others.

It's hard to imagine them waiting much longer. Z is setting hard to match standards of ineptitude

11 days.

We should hear Plesac news today or tomorrow at the latest.