The Dodgers announce they have chosen the catcher’s contract Ben Rotwitterpreviously reported actions. In the corresponding move, they chose the infielder Alex Freeland and designated as right-handed Alexis Díaz Make allocations.
Not long ago, Díaz was 28 years old and was close to Cincinnati but was in trouble recently. In 2023, he fought 37 saves for the Reds. He scored an average run of 3.07 in 67 1/3 innings. His 12.6% walk rate is too high, but he beats 30.1% of the batsmen. He continues to move forward in 2024, but there are some signs of concern. He added another 28 savings with a 3.99 ERA, but his strikeout rate has been down to 22.7%.
Although the trend line moved in the wrong direction, the Reds still led him to sign the contract. He was qualified for arbitration for the first time in 2025 and provided three years of service. He and the Reds avoid arbitration by agreeing to a $4.5mm salary.
Things are getting worse this year. He started the season on the injury roster due to hamstring strain. He was restored in mid-April Emilio Pagán After the game, there was no promise for Díaz to regain the ninth inning. Díaz then struck out only three times in his first six innings, but hit the batsman twice five times, allowing eight runs in his first six innings.
The Red Army selected him to the minors in early May. On the farm, things didn’t get better. In Louisville’s 13 2/3 innings, he hit out at 22.9%, but walked 12 opponents with a cut rate of 17.1%. He hit two more batsmen and canceled two wild courts. The Reds then traded him to the Dodgers, which was essentially a salary deal. Their return player, right-handed Mike Villania young man who was only 22 years old at the time, had only two professional bureaus at the time.
The Dodgers initially sent Diaz to an Arizona facility in an attempt to get him back on track. His sample of major league work has been decent enough since then. In nine innings, he made seven hits, two walks and hits two batsmen to allow five runs while hitting nine batsmen. But he also threw ten innings and three innings, allowing passing seven hits, eight walks and hitting three hits, while hitting ten hits at the same time.
The Dodgers seem to have seen enough and are willing to risk losing Diaz to another club. It would be interesting to see if you are interested in the claim. Short-term benefits will be minimal. It’s September and Díaz will be out of time with the playoff club. He may be a possible non-sports candidate considering this year’s struggles.
On the other hand, there is theoretical upward space. As most of this year is spent among minors, Diaz can still control it for another three years after that. This also means he will not be able to conduct a famous arbitration salary increase in the 2026 season. If some clubs there saw a path that brought him back on track, maybe they would consider catching him now. Raising his contract for 4-5mm next year is similar to signing someone like this Ryne Stanek or Jonathan Loáisigahe signed a one-year deal in that range during the offseason.
Even though the Dodgers can’t figure him out, that won’t leave much hope for other clubs. And, he still owes him about $580,000 this year, a hard reliefist that won’t even help in the playoffs. If he passes unclaimed immunity, he will almost certainly stick with the Dodgers as a non-stock depth. Because he has three years of service, he will have the right to elect free agents. But because of his 5ths, he will have to confiscate the remaining money in exercising this right.
Freeland has become one of the club’s highest prospects. He was called in late July as several infielders were suffering injuries. He cut only .190/.292/.310 in his first 97 plate appearances, during which some infielders stood out from the IL. He will carry three catchers for the club, at least only Will Smith Injuried. It’s not uncommon for prospects to struggle during their first promotion, so Freeland remains a big part of the club’s future, but he’ll be back in the minors now.
Photo courtesy of Aaron Doster, Image
