The decision to place first baseman Ty France on outright waivers by the Mariners has come amidst a teamwide offensive slump. Trouble began for France upon his return from the injured list after sustaining a hairline fracture on his right heel. In the 26 games following his return, his performance at the plate has been less than stellar. With a batting average of .159, an on-base percentage of .275, and a slugging percentage of .227, along with only one home run and four RBIs in 102 plate appearances, it is clear why the Mariners made this move.
This downturn in performance is significant considering that Ty France was an All-Star just two years ago. The first baseman has been a reliable middle-of-the-order presence for the Mariners in his first two seasons with the team. However, he regressed to a league-average hitter last year, and his recent struggles have been mirrored by his teammates. The Mariners, who once held a 10-game lead in the AL West, have seen their offensive output decline significantly.
Placing France on irrevocable waivers means that any team can claim him and take on the remainder of his $6.78 million salary. Due to his more than five years of major league service, France can refuse a minor league assignment. If he chooses to sign with a new team as a free agent, that team will owe him a prorated portion of the major league minimum while the Mariners pay the difference. This presents a significant financial consideration for any team looking to acquire France.
While Ty France’s struggles have been highlighted due to his waiver situation, he is far from the only Mariners player to be facing difficulties at the plate. Outside of a few standout performers, such as Julio Rodriguez and Cal Raleigh, the team has seen lackluster offensive production overall. Key offseason acquisitions like Mitch Garver, Mitch Haniger, and Jorge Polanco have failed to provide the expected boost to the team’s offense. Seattle finds itself lagging behind in runs scored, ranking near the bottom along with teams destined for significant losses this season.
Ty France’s journey to becoming a major league first baseman has been unconventional. As a right-handed hitter standing at under 6 feet tall, he defies the typical profile of a player at his position. Despite his stature, France has shown the ability to make consistent contact and maintain a respectable average. However, his performance this season has fallen short of expectations, leading to his placement on outright waivers.
The Mariners’ decision to place Ty France on outright waivers underscores the team’s desperate need to address their offensive struggles. With France’s recent decline in performance and the overall lackluster output from the offense, changes were deemed necessary. It remains to be seen if a new team will take on France’s salary and provide him with a fresh opportunity to revitalize his career.
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