The Nationals introduced that first baseman Joey Meneses has been optioned to Triple-A Rochester after in the present day’s sport. Moreover, outfielder Eddie Rosario has cleared unconditional launch waivers and is now a free agent. The corresponding transfer for Meneses has not been introduced but.
Meneses, 32, will head to the minors for the primary time in virtually two years. The rebuilding Nats cleared out some lineup house on the 2022 deadline, buying and selling away Juan Soto, Josh Bell and Ehire Adrianza.
They chose Meneses to the roster at the moment. He had all the time hit effectively within the minors however was a 30-year-old with no main league expertise and the transaction was largely buried, with Meneses anticipated to easily play out the string on a misplaced season.
However Meneses went on to demolish main league pitching in his debut. He received into 56 video games as 2022 was winding down, crushing 13 dwelling runs in that point. He slashed .324/.367/.563 for a wRC+ of 157.
Although it was a magical couple of months, he hasn’t been in a position to carry it ahead. He added one other 13 homers final 12 months, however in a good bigger pattern of 154 video games. His .275/.321/.401 batting line in 2023 wasn’t disastrous, translating to a 96 wRC+, however he doesn’t supply a lot else. He’s not a burner on the basepaths and isn’t thought of a powerful defender at first base or in an outfield nook. Right here in 2024, the outcomes have been even worse. He has simply three lengthy balls to date and is slashing .235/.294/.310 for a wRC+ of 72.
The Nats have clearly determined that it’s time to maneuver on, however they might want to work out how you can cowl first base now. Harold Ramírez could possibly be an choice however he’s additionally thought of a poor defender and isn’t hitting a lot this 12 months both. Joey Gallo received a bunch of at-bats there earlier within the season however he’s on the injured listing with a hamstring pressure and it doesn’t seem his return is imminent. Jesse Winker has by no means performed first within the majors however has a small quantity of expertise there within the minors. Trey Lipscomb is on the 40-man however he’s extra of a glove-first utility man. Juan Yepez is in Triple-A on a minor league deal and never on the 40-man at current. The open market options gamers like José Abreu and Mike Ford, although they had been let go attributable to their very own struggles.
From a service time standpoint, Meneses got here into this season with one 12 months and 65 days, placing him 107 shy of the two-year mark. At the moment is the 99th day of the 2024 season, that means he’s nonetheless just below that two-year line. He’ll nonetheless have an opportunity to cross it if he comes again up at any level, however he’ll seemingly want to supply extra offense within the subsequent few weeks to ensure that that to return to fruition.
As for Rosario, it was reported yesterday that the membership had requested launch waivers on him. No different membership was going to say him, on condition that he’s making $2MM this 12 months whereas having slashed .183/.226/.329. Now that he’s a free agent, he’ll be free to signal with another membership. That signing membership would solely should pay him the prorated league minimal for any time spent on the roster, which might be subtracted from what the Nats owe him.
