The Pink Sox introduced that outfielder/designated hitter Masataka Yoshida has been reinstated from the injured listing, with first baseman Garrett Cooper designated for project in a corresponding transfer. Chris Cotillo of MassLive was amongst these to relay the strikes on X.
The Sox have been scrambling to fill their first base and designated hitter combine since late April, as each Yoshida and Triston Casas landed on the injured listing across the similar time. They acquired Cooper from the Cubs in a money deal and in addition signed Dominic Smith.
Neither Smith nor Cooper have performed particularly effectively, however Cooper’s outcomes have been far worse. Smith has two house runs and has drawn a stroll in 11.7% of his plate appearances, resulting in a .221/.325/.327 batting line and 88 wRC+.
Cooper, in the meantime, was hitting .270/.341/.432 for the Cubs earlier than the deal however produced a bleak line of .171/.227/.229 since coming to Boston. Now that Yoshida is again, Smith will get to remain whereas Cooper has understandably been nudged off the roster by that poor efficiency.
The Sox will now have every week to commerce Cooper or cross him by waivers. Given his poor outcomes, the curiosity is prone to be tepid. He’s performed a little bit of nook outfield however is primarily a primary baseman, the place the offensive expectations are typically increased than up-the-middle spots.
Cooper at the very least has some first rate ends in his previous that might assist him generate curiosity. He hit .274/.350/.444 for the Marlins over the 2019 to 2022 seasons, with that efficiency translating to a 117 wRC+. Staying within the lineup was a problem, as numerous accidents restricted him to 331 video games over that span of three full seasons and the shortened 2020 marketing campaign.
He then slumped a bit in 2023, regardless of a profession excessive 17 house runs, as he struck out in 28.9% of his plate appearances and slashed .251/.304/.419 for a 96 wRC+. He needed to accept a minor league take care of the Cubs and received onto their main league roster. As talked about, he carried out fairly effectively, however in a small pattern of 12 video games. Although his first rate batting line with the Cubs was buoyed by a .391 batting common on balls in play and in addition masked a 31.7% strikeout price. The Cubs determined to maneuver on in a transfer that was considerably stunning on the time however appears sensible on reflection, given how far Cooper’s outcomes have fallen within the interim.
