BRONX, NY: Before yesterday’s blowout loss to the Atlanta Braves, the Yankees announced roster moves. Right-hander Phil Bickford's contract has been selected by the Yankees, who also designated left-hander Victor González for assignment in the same action.
Right-hander Ron Marinaccio was optioned Wednesday night, opening a spot on the roster for right-hander Yoendrys Gómez, who was also brought up.
It may come as a surprise that González loses his roster place given his 3.86 earned run average for the season. However, when you go a little further, the numbers aren't quite as good. With 13 walks this year compared to just 11 strikeouts, he has notably poorer than average walks/strikes ratios of 13.4% and 11.3%, respectively.
González will now have a week to be traded or placed on waivers. Despite the fact that his work this year has been quite lackluster, his prior performance may make him more appealing.
Between 2020 and 2023, he made 93 appearances with the Dodgers; however, an elbow ailment that necessitated an arthroscopic debridement treatment kept him out of action in 2022.However, he posted a 3.22 ERA, a 23.2% strikeout rate, an 8.4% walk rate, and a 58.1% ground ball rate during his tenure with the Dodgers.
In 2023, he used up his last option year, which probably made the Dodgers decide to trade him and Jorbit Vivas for Trey Sweeney in the offseason. Although other clubs won't be interested in signing him because he can't be sent to the minors, his control over him till 2026 might persuade them to give him a try.
He has between three and five years of service left, so if waivers are granted, he can decline an outright assignment; however, doing so will result in the loss of the remaining $860K in pay.
González has been an appealing name and will likely find a home elsewhere. The Yankees have an opportunity to gain some ground in a trade without losing out on González’s services altogether.
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