Should the Red Sox make a play for DFA’d Guardians outfielder Franmil Reyes?
The Cleveland Guardians have designated outfielder Franmil Reyes for assignment on Saturday, according to The Athletics Zack Meisel. The move was a surprise considering Reyes has been a productive big leaguer in the past.
His 2022 season hasn’t gone to plan, Reyes is hitting .213 with 56 hits, nine doubles, nine homers, 28 RBIs, .603 OPS and a 65 wRC+. Reyes’s 65 wRC+ is a career low and he owns a career high 37.1 percent strikeout rate.
Would the Red Sox take a flyer on Reyes?
The 27-year-old slugger has hit over 25 homers three times in his career. In 2019 when he was traded by the Padres to Cleveland he hit 37 home runs and 30 during the 2021 season. Despite having a down season, the opportunity to acquire someone with prestigious power by way of a waiver claim doesn’t happen everyday.
An argument can be made that he’s lost that power stroke, considering Reyes has only hit nine dingers this season.
If Boston were to claim Reyes, they would be on the hook for a pro-rated $4.55 million remaining he is owed this season. In addition, the right-handed slugger has two years of team control remaining.
Boston could see what Reyes can do for the remaining two months of the season. If he preforms poorly, Reyes can be a non-tender candidate this winter.
The Red Sox have the sixth waiver claim priority in the American League. For the Sox to have a chance on claiming his, he would need to pass by Oakland, Detroit, Kansas City, Los Angeles and Texas.
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Too bad he can't play center field, we could use one right now.