The Diamondbacks designated veteran shortstop Nick Ahmed for assignment, manager Torey Lovullo informed reporters (including Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic). That’s the corresponding move for the promotion of top infield prospect Jordan Lawlar.
It’ll close the book on Ahmed’s 10-year tenure in the desert. Arizona initially acquired him as part of a five-player return from the Braves for Justin Upton and Chris Johnson during the 2012-13 offseason. Ahmed debuted in the majors a year later and took over as the starting shortstop heading into 2015.
That was the first of six eventual Opening Day starts over the next nine years. Ahmed has never made much of an offensive impact, but he immediately broke in as one of the game’s preeminent defensive shortstops. In a little over 7000 career innings, Ahmed has rated an elite 80 runs above average by measure of Defensive Runs Saved. Among shortstops, only Andrelton Simmons has topped Ahmed in DRS over that stretch. Statcast’s Outs Above Average metric, which dates back to 2015, has placed him only behind Francisco Lindor (who has logged over 3000 more innings).
Ahmed deservedly secured consecutive Gold Glove awards in 2018-19. Heading into the 2020 campaign, Arizona signed him to a $32.5MM contract to cover his final arbitration season and three would-be free agent years. It was a bet in Ahmed maintaining his elite defensive form, but the deal didn’t go as the organization had hoped.
The first season went well. Ahmed hit at a nearly average level in the shortened season while continuing to play excellent defense. His offense plummeted to a .221/.280/.339 slash the following year. Ahmed continued to defend well but battled a shoulder injury toward season’s end. That unfortunately carried over into 2022, as the veteran was forced to undergo season-ending surgery last June.
Arizona turned the shortstop job back over to him headed into 2023. Ahmed continued to struggle offensively, though, and Arizona gave increasing playing time to Geraldo Perdomo. Ahmed has worked as a glove-first backup, appearing in 72 games and hitting .212/.257/.303 across 210 plate appearances.
Between Perdomo and Lawlar, it always seemed as if Arizona would move on from Ahmed once his contract expired at year’s end. With the D-Backs hoping for an offensive spark in calling up the 21-year-old top prospect, they bumped the veteran off the roster a few weeks early. Arizona will put Ahmed on waivers in the coming days. He’ll surely go unclaimed, as no team will want to take on the approximate $1.4MM remaining on his $10MM salary. He will very likely become a free agent — either via release or declining an outright assignment.
While he could then look for other opportunities, he wouldn’t be eligible for postseason play with another team. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he simply waits until the offseason to look for a new landing spot for 2024.
It’s cold in the desert
Cold Hearted
Releasing him right after the post season deadline, cold blooded.
Very cold blooded with the team paying $1.4MM to him for doing nothing.
There could be some cold blood though. First, because Ahmed was the players’ representative. Second, he apparently refused to undergo surgery for recurrent injuries that have had him quite often on the shelf ever since signing that extension.
It’s obvious that it has been one of the worst extensions for the Diamondbacks in the team’s history.
No, it’s not. He wasn’t paid so much they were forced to play him if he wasn’t performing, and they had a very capable replacement in Perdomo. A bad contract is when you have to play him, and have no capable back up. See Rendon, or Baez, blast from the past, Chris Davis.
Ahmaan
Farhan running for the phone.
♂️
Hahaha right
Thanks for the years of service, Nick.
He’s out as they are making one final push for a wildcard. Have many games against Cubs in next week or so. I guess anything can happen but Chicago appears to be one of the better teams in the NL. Can’t see Arizona winning more than half of the games against the Cubs.
For a guy who has had a home in Phoenix for the past decade, he has been cast off to wander the desert in search of a new home. He stuck with the snake pit, both through years of glory and years of despair.
Sadly, with a new young Venomous Viper in Lawlar, the serpents shed off their old skin, and christen their new shine. In a world of predators, it’s eat or get eaten, and the Diamondbacks are seeking out a feast.
You could’ve said that without all the snake references but okay
You could’ve not commented this, but okay
You could’ve not salty response this, but okay
Very colorful description, probably one of the most descriptive responses I’ve seen, I like it!
I appreciate it man, I was feeling creative that night.
It was more cringe tbh
“Years of glory?”
What kind of exaggerated maudlin memories are these? During Ahmed’s tenure, the Diamond backs made the post season just once and won above 90 games just once as well. Not counting this year, they are a combined 111 games below 500; it’s not a complete reflection on Ahmed just using it as another point that those glory years are a misnomer.
Best WAR of his draft round.
Don’t feel too sad, he’s getting paid for rest of the season, hopefully he’ll spend some quality time with his family and rest up for next year. Hopefully he can find someone to sign him and continue his career
He was really lucky to get a 4-year contract for his glove. Now 10 yrs. in the majors get a retirement check. He could walk away now into coaching or maybe managing in the minors. Someday be a Major league coach or manager.
White Sox could use a good fielding SS, even if for the bench.
Not a bad idea for the White Sox, beats Tim Anderson being the shortstop. Should probably move him to second base.
Longest tenured dback player in team history. Team first guy. Glove got him 10 years, bat was pretty brutal & could never achieve league average wRC+. Tough way to go out. It’s not personal, it’s strictly business.
Springfield MA native.
Crusty the clown
Why can’t the team put him in IL or send him to the minors in case you need him later on? A great defense at ss, and a clutch hitter.
Does the player get his 10th ML service time?
Ahmed to that. Take me to church