The Cardinals introduced that they’ve acquired infielder/outfielder Richie Palacios from the Guardians in alternate for money concerns. Palacios, who was designated for project by the Guards on the weekend, has been optioned to Triple-A Memphis. With a purpose to open a spot on the 40-man roster, outfielder Tyler O’Neill has been transferred to the 60-day injured record.
Palacios, 26, was initially chosen by Cleveland within the third spherical of the 2018 draft. He’s typically been thought-about a bat-first utility participant and hit his means up the minor league ladder. He was added to the membership’s 40-man roster in November of 2021 to stop him from being chosen within the Rule 5 draft.
He spent final yr as a frequently-optioned depth piece, moving into 54 main league contests. However in his 123 plate appearances, he hit simply .232/.293/.286 for a wRC+ of 65. He continued his robust offensive work each time within the minors, ending the yr with a line of .279/.371/.458 in Triple-A and a 121 wRC+. Nonetheless, this yr, he’s slumped badly whereas sticking within the minors. He presently sports activities a line of .217/.351/.318 by way of 269 Triple-A plate appearances on the yr.
Palacios has been bounced across the subject a bit in his profession to get his bat into lineups. He’s performed second base and left subject within the majors and likewise the opposite outfield positions within the minors. However since his bat is taken into account his finest trait, his struggles this yr received him bounced from the Guards to the Playing cards. The Cardinals have a penchant for growing versatile place gamers and can now attempt to get essentially the most out of Palacios. He nonetheless has choices and fewer than a yr of service time, permitting him to function an optionable and versatile depth piece for the foreseeable future.
As for O’Neill, he was positioned on the injured record in early Might resulting from a decrease again pressure. There’s been nothing to point he’s significantly near a return since he’s but to begin a rehab project that will be required earlier than rejoining the massive league membership. That makes this transaction a mere formality because the 60-day rely goes from his preliminary IL placement, not immediately’s switch. He’ll be eligible to be reinstated in early July if he makes important progress within the subsequent two weeks.
