Infielder Johan Camargo has been released by the Royals, according to his transactions tracker at MLB.com. MLBTR has learned that he triggered an opt-out in his deal. The Octagon client is now on the open market and free to sign with any club.
Camargo, 29, signed a minor league deal with the Royals this winter. He began the year on the minor league injured list but joined Triple-A Omaha in mid-May. That’s limited him to just 68 plate appearances in 15 games so far this year, but he has made the most of those. He has walked and struck out 11 times each for a strong 16.2% rate in both categories while hitting four home runs in that brief spell. His .298/.412/.544 batting line amounts to a 140 wRC+, indicating he’s been 40% better than league average in that time.
That’s a small sample of Triple-A work, but it’s understandable that Camargo would want to use that platform to survey the open market if the Royals weren’t willing to call him up. He also has plenty of major league work on his résumé, though generally as a light-hitting utility player. He’s hit .255/.313/.410 over the past six major league seasons with Atlanta and Philadelphia, which translates to a wRC+ of 90. He’s done so while spending time at all four infield positions as well as the outfield corners. He’s also a switch-hitter, which adds to his versatility.
Given his track record and strong start this year, he could have earned himself a promotion into a big league bench job. The Royals have a regular infield mix consisting of Bobby Witt Jr., Michael Massey, Maikel Garcia, Nicky Lopez and Nick Pratto, with Matt Duffy currently serving as the veteran utility guy off the bench. Duffy has a strong .312/.365/.403 line on the year and the club will seemingly stick with him instead of turning to Camargo.
That will allow Camargo the chance to look for opportunities elsewhere. Plenty of clubs around the league are dealing with significant injuries and they could be intrigued by a versatile player who’s been hot of late. If he is able to get himself back onto a 40-man roster, he is out of options but he could be retained via arbitration for 2024 since he won’t be able to get to six years of service time this year.
How long before Atlanta signs him? lol
Would welcome him back sooner than Ehire Adrianza’s return.
I agree but Atlanta shouldn’t want either of them.
Not really an indictment either way. Every team needs depth this time of year, especially swiss-army knives like Camargo. Just wonder when the light will turn on for him.
> Camargo. Just wonder when
> the light will turn on for him.
He’s a flashlight with dead batteries.
He’s a wax candle with no wick or replacement.
He’s a lamp with no lightbulb.
I LOVE LAMP!
Camargo really is not an option at shortstop outside of a genuine emergency, so they aren’t competing for the same spot.
> Camargo really is not an option at
> shortstop outside of a genuine emergency
> so they aren’t competing for the
> same spot.
What you are saying is even worse because they would crawl their way into the lineup at the same time as opposed to just one.
The chances of that happening is some small fraction to the left of the decimal point. So I guess it’s a little more likely than the DBacks winning their division. =}
I wonder if Pillar will relinquish 17 ?
KC
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Haha! Dbacks, you’re a real Camargo kidder!
@dbacks. No thanks. Just glad the Braves did NOT extend him.
I agree… But I don’t want either of them.
Who are you talking to?
Oh, sorry! No one..
Well ok.. Hey listen, I have to thank you. Anytime I post anything you give it a thumbs up. Thank you!
Sure. Keep it rockin’
you have issues
> you have issues
Come on, doc. We went over this a thousand times. I don’t need your therapy! Now would you find someone else to stalk online please?
never can have enough veteran players man. Need those guys come playoff time in pinch hit situations. not saying he’s the guy but he’s a decent player
You only have 4 bench players, and there is not an unlimited veteran players to pinch hit….where do you guys get this stuff..
Who said unlimited? I said it’s good to have a veteran. No idea what you are talking about. if someone gets injured he’s nice to have. They just got Aguilar did you expect that?
The Angels seem like a pretty logical suitor with Neto, Urshela, and Rendon all banged up currently.
that’s what I’m thinking.
Marlins might make sense.
He could walk into the Tigers clubhouse right now and be one of the top three hitters on the team.
white sox should sign this guy, our 2b situation is abysmal.
Angels are now in the market.
Can’t make the Royals right now? What is that like strike 30?
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