The Seattle Mariners are set to make a bold move by moving on from first baseman Ty France. According to Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times, the Mariners have placed France on irrevocable outright waivers, allowing the other 29 MLB teams to claim the 30-year-old infielder.
If France clears waivers, the Mariners can send him to the minors, though France has the option to refuse the outright assignment due to his service time. This move comes as France is enduring the worst offensive season of his career, batting .223 with an OPS of .662 over 88 games, both career lows for the six-year veteran.
France’s decline is notable considering he was an All-Star just two years ago, boasting a .274 average with 20 home runs and 83 RBIs in 2022. However, he isn’t solely responsible for the Mariners’ poor offensive performance. As a team, Seattle is hitting an MLB-worst .218 through 101 games, even lower than the struggling Chicago White Sox.
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Despite their offensive woes, the Mariners have remained competitive in the AL West, largely due to their stellar starting rotation. Seattle’s starters lead the American League with a 3.34 ERA through Sunday’s games. With the Houston Astros now contending for the division lead, the Mariners seem willing to make roster adjustments to stay ahead.
This move signals that the Mariners are serious about addressing their hitting issues as they gear up for a potential playoff run.
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