TODAY: The Orioles announced that Givens has been officially released.
AUGUST 19: Givens has cleared DFA waivers, and the Orioles announced that he has been placed on unconditional release waivers.
AUGUST 13: The Orioles announced that right-hander Mychal Givens has been reinstated from the 60-day injured list and designated for assignment.
Givens, 33, signed a one-year deal in the offseason with a $5MM guarantee. Unfortunately, injuries have prevented him from providing much of anything this year. He began the season on the injured list thanks to left knee inflammation. He was activated in May but returned to the IL after just six appearances, this time due to right shoulder inflammation, eventually getting transferred to the 60-day version of the IL.
He seems to be healthy again, as he began a new rehab assignment a couple of weeks ago. But the O’s seem to have decided they don’t have room for him on their roster and have cut him loose instead. As a veteran with more than five years of service time, he can’t be optioned to the minors. He also has the right to reject an outright assignment in favor of electing free agency while retaining all of his salary.
The deal that he signed came with a $3MM salary here in 2023 and then there’s a $6MM mutual option for 2024. If Givens declines his end of the option, he would receive a $1MM buyout. If he triggers his end and the team declines, it’s a $2MM buyout. There’s still about $790K of that salary left to be paid out, as well as the buyout/option. Given his health issues this year and that money, he’ll almost certainly clear waivers, leaving the Orioles responsible for that cash.
That will allow any of the 29 other clubs to sign him and pay him just the prorated league minimum for any time spent on the roster, with that amount subtracted from what the O’s pay. Although he’s been injured for much of the year, other clubs could still be interested based on his previous track record. Givens has a career ERA of 3.47 over 425 appearances dating back to 2015, striking out 28.2% of hitters while walking 10%.
Unclemike1526
Jed Hoyer on line 1.
PutPeteinthehall
Could see it. If he’s willing to go to Iowa for a tune up first. Couldn’t be worse than Brian Shaw for the White Sox.
Unclemike1526
A couple of weeks ago I would of said bring up a young arm from Iowa. Unfortunately the young arms have been taking a beating in Iowa. Keegan Thompson started out with a good comeback performance then got hammered 2 times in a row. Palencia was rushed and could use a tad more seasoning maybe. Anyway couldn’t hurt to give him a shot for what it will cost, Basically nothing. Maybe Hottovy can get him going if he’s healthy. I know he just came back from something.
Dumpster Divin Theo
Who’s Keegan Thompson- any relation to that portly not funny guy on SNL?
Deadguy
Dumpster diving Theo Epstien and Jeff Luhnow playing the ghosts of Marley and Marley on lines 2 and 3
Dumpster Divin Theo
Hey now!
sophiethegreatdane
That went well.
C Yards Jeff
A panic signing when Orioles FO realized the extent of Tate’s injury this past off season.
misterb71
A “panic signing” in December? Try again.
C Yards Jeff
@misterb71. Yes. Absolutely, a panic signing. The way they watch their money and how they go about their creative ways in finding relief pitching; plenty of time between that signing and the start of ST to address the Tate situation.
baked mcbride
Had high hopes, bud. Let’s Go O’s!!!
Curly Was The Smart Stooge
Thank you for givens us a new way to spell Michael
Mychelle
Myark
Myatt
Myx
Myrcarcus
Mylo
And my fav, mysery
Curly Was The Smart Stooge
My best to Mychal’s mom, I hope she has no Miss Givens
dodgersvictoryagain
Best to your mom
Deadguy
She gave that away like Anthony Kedis
Now she needs another soul to squeeze
Heard it’s some really bad disease?
A from her head is where she bleeds?
getrealgone2
So much for that comeback.
AHH-Rox
Givens was so upset upon hearing the news that he threw his glove into his locker, but he missed and it went into the neighboring locker instead.
In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani
He was good recently. Its not like he is 40.
BrianStrowman9
Jacob Webb put the final nail in Givens’ coffin. He was pitching well to add Givens back.
He’ll probably clear waivers with all the money owed but could be a useful reliever for somebody in 2024.
Mercenary.Freddie.Freeman
Wow. That’s cold.
DCartrow
Think the O’s will have any misgivens over this?
CarryABigStick
They were hoping for a faster recovery, but management had to Givens at some point.
Golfsucks
If you read his mutual option his buyout decreases by 1 million if he declines. My guess is that he decides to accept it.
BrianStrowman9
I can’t see anyone giving Mychal Givens more than $6MM next year. He’ll certainly opt in. The Mets are pitching starved and he has history with Buck and the team. Wouldn’t be the craziest thing in the world if they rolled the dice. Crossing my fingers anyway!
Waymann
I think the Orioles declined by default by designating him for assignment. They’re on the hook for the $2M buyout unless he gets claimed.
Ironkevin49
Boston anyone stick to the bullpen and become a starter the gloom way
zantigm
Mets
Red Sox
Yankees
Oakland A’s
Spaced-Cowboy
He will be Given another chance.
Mercenary.Freddie.Freeman
Sad part is he was one of the better players on some horrible Orioles teams not too long ago. Now he’s cut when they are good again and he has gotten old.
icantstandyous
Another one of Eppler’s big time deadline moves crashes and burns miserably. And to think Cohen still trusts him with the keys to rebuild. What a mess.
Fr18vl
Wish the reds would bring him back for next season , when healthy he is a very effective reliever
MattTheRed
I would imagine he will get a call from the Reds after he clears waivers. I’d probably put a claim in on him if I were a team that needed bullpen help. What’s 790k?
Cohn Joppolella
I really thought he was at least 40.
DugoutJester
Shame, this guy was on his way to a Cy Young.
RandalGrichuksStubble
He will love Toronto next year, and probably bomb.
CrikesAlready
The Padres need someone to replace Rich Hill as the pitching patsy.
ba$eba||F@n21
Well that was a waste of good money
Vince Ferragamo's Dog
He’s good guy, helped cch U14 travel team in Bradenton area during spring training, he’ll get a shot sum where, needs to go team like Rays where they’ll accentuate what is different about em … hard throwing side armer n get em back on track, that or bein an ol Oriole u kno Buck will give em look on Mets, Good Luck In Extending Ur Career Givens