Emilio Bonifacio has cleared release waivers and is now eligible to sign with any team as a free agent, tweets Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish.
The Royals avoided arbitration earlier with Bonifacio earlier this month, agreeing to a one-year, $3.5MM contract. However, since that time, they've agreed to bring lefty Bruce Chen back into the mix in 2014 and chosen to designate Bonifacio for assignment to clear roster space. The Royals were unable to find a trading partner and placed Bonifacio on release waivers two days ago. Arbitration contracts are not fully guaranteed, and as Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports pointed out yesterday, Kansas City is only on the hook for roughly $575K of that $3.5MM guarantee.
Any team is now free to sign Bonifacio at any price. The speedy 28-year-old struggled to a .218/.258/.321 batting line in his short time with the Blue Jays but quickly turned it around upon arriving in Kansas City last year. With the Royals, Bonifacio slashed a healthy .285/.352/.348 in 179 plate appearances. He showed off his best tool — speed — by swiping 28 bases in 36 tries between the two clubs last season. Though he's not a gifted defender at most positions, Bonifacio is versatile; he comes with big league experience at second base, shortstop, third base and all three outfield positions. As many as nine clubs, including the Orioles, are said to have interest in the switch-hitter.
Surprising nobody went there.
This has TB written all over it, low cost player who can play multiple positions.
Only thing is he plays fairly poor defense at several of those positions
Maddon has a knack for putting players like Bonafacio in in situation where they will succeed
Maddon would be his kind of manager, but would really like to see him with O’s or some team where can pull for him..
I know the Braves will kick the tires. They’ve liked him in the past.
He’d be a great 25th man for the Cards & would resolve the fan bases debate of Descalso vs Kozma.
I like shane robinson but would rather have bonifacio instead. or keep robinson and trade or send down kozma and or descalso. Still think they would keep descalso and that would push robinson to the minors.
Article should say struggled with the Jays.
You mean he struggled with the Blue Jays?
Wren needs to get him, no questions asked.
He can be very useful.
I have same feeling about him as I did C-Mart, Pena, EOF, ect…
And play him where? The Braves already have Pena, Pastornicky, LaStella, and Reyes as backup infielders (or starting second basemen), plus Constanza and Schafer have speed off the bench. The Braves had Elliot Johnson and let him go to save the money. Unless Bonifacio signs for six figures, the Braves should save their money so they can take on some payroll at the trade deadline. He’s gonna wind up with the Orioles. The fit is just too perfect.
Constanza shouldn’t be on main roster. Bonifacio would be perfect back up everywhere, speed and more versatility on the bench. If he could be had on a minor league deal with spring invite, then it’s a no brainer. However, if he expects 3.5 or whatever mill, then no. However, places can be found for him to play if he were signed and makes the roster opening day.
Bonifacio can do all INF except 1B/C and do all OF, that’s the type of versatility Wren likes and has gotten in the past.
Bench Of:
Laird
Doumit
Schafer
Pena
Bonifacio
Would fit a lot of needs.
Not to mention, would have 3 switch hitters on the bench.
I actually like this idea for as much as 1-1.5M. LaStella could use and extra year of development and Pastornicky has never really impressed. I like Pena but I think he’d be exposed playing everyday, and let’s not forget that Johnson requires a defensive substitution on a regular basis with more often than not would be Pena.
Exactly bravo_84.
More depth. Bonifacio could be back up/insurance 2B while Pena is 3B or however.
Wren should jump on this.
I remember hearing they were looking awful hard at him before he got shipped to the Jays. That’s a year and a lot of bad defense ago, but he could be an interesting insurance policy for the Braves. Worst case scenario he’s be a nice piece on a bench with 3 switch hitters.
He’s not going anywhere he doesn’t have an excellent shot at a starting job. While the Braves would love that to be the case, I think Uggla’s contracts says otherwise. Plus they inexplicably like this La Stella kid.
Paging Brian Cashman – this may be an upgrade over the Kelly Johnson/Brian Robers/Scott Seizmore platoon to cover 2b and 3b!!!!
If he is the KC Bonifacio then he could be a really useful piece for the Yankees at 2b. Then the bombers only glaring hole would be 3B and personally I am hoping Austin, Anna or Mustelier( if they invite him to camp ) prove that they can handle the position.
This makes the most sense. Bonifacio can help a lot of teams out there, but isn’t really worth $3.5 million to any of them.
Well he fits perfectly for the Brewers also but there’s one catch. Signing Bonafacio now would expose their ultimate plans for Weeks, which are to offer to pay 75% of his salary if anyone will take him off their hands. They can’t in good conscious do this until teams have actually seen Weeks in action in Arizona. Bonifacio would be ideal occasional platoon guy for 2B with Gennett and is an adequate once or twice a week player at 3B to save Ramirez’ knees.
This is a great fit for the Yankees.
How come they are on the hook for so little of the amount agreed to?
My guess would be that it’s an arbitration salary that was released before the season and/or Spring Training
I’d much rather have Bonifacio than Tony Abreu, if I was SF. Adds depth at both 2B and CF, has speed and is probably roughly the same on offense. Doubt it will happen, though
Cubs?
With the guys they let go on waivers today I wouldn’t be surprised if they were making room for him
No brainer for the Mets. It will be a cheap alternative to Drew on SS
Plus, he adds speed, handled both LHP and RHP and would fill the leadoff role naturally. Drew would be forced to bat out of his normal order, and can’t hit lefties at all. You would sacrifice some power for speed, but i think he would be a better lineup fit.
If the Cardinals didn’t just get Bourjos I would hope the Cardinals would sign Bonifacio.
A’s? Would make decent SS depth.
Even with a down year, you can’t teach that kind of speed.
Dodgers should grab him as added insurance on the infield.
Mets should grab him for 7m and start him every day at SS and lead him off.