The Angels announced that infielder Liván Soto has been claimed off waivers by the Orioles while right-hander Zach Plesac has been sent outright to Triple-A Salt Lake. Both players were designated for assignment earlier this week. The Orioles had two open spots on their 40-man roster, which is now at 39. The O’s also announced their claim of Soto, noting that he has been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk.
This is the second time the Orioles have claimed Soto off waivers from the Angels this year. The first came back in February, though the Angels were able to claim him right back that same month, just over a week later. But now Soto is going from the Angels’ roster to the Orioles’ roster yet again.
Soto, 24 in June, has excelled in the majors so far, though in a small sample. He has slashed .375/.414/.531 in his 71 plate appearances in the big leagues. His minor league track record doesn’t suggest he can maintain anything close to that kind of production. In 1,505 trips to the plate on the farm since the start of 2021, he has a combined batting line of .246/.340/.355 for a wRC+ of 86.
Despite that subpar offensive output, he has other attributes. He had a bit of speed, racking up double-digit stolen base totals in the minors in 2021 and 2022, and has enough versatility to play the two middle infield spots or third base.
The Orioles have an infield filled with young talent, including Gunnar Henderson and Jackson Holliday up the middle. Ryan Mountcastle has been getting most of the playing time at first base this year while Jordan Westburg and Ramón Urías have been sharing third base and Jorge Mateo is on hand as a bench/utility option.
The recent promotion of Holliday likely left the O’s with a spot on the Tides for Soto and they had two open spots on the 40-man, so it’s understandable why they would put in a claim and add some extra depth. Soto is still young and has another option year remaining after this one, so he can theoretically continue serving as a depth option well into the future if he continues to hang onto his 40-man spot. Though the O’s also have a penchant for claiming guys and trying to run them through waivers later, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Soto sent down that path at some point.
As for Plesac, 29, he seemed to be emerging as a viable big league starter with Cleveland a few years ago. He had a 3.32 earned run average over 29 starts in 2019 and 2020, but his ERA climbed over the next two seasons, a combined 4.49 in 2021 and 2022. His first five starts in 2023 led to an awful 7.59 ERA and he lost his roster spot with the Guardians.
The Halos signed him to a $1MM deal this winter but put him on waivers after just two Triple-A starts and none of the other 29 clubs put in a claim. Since he has over three years of big league service time, he can technically reject this outright assignment and elect free agency. But since he doesn’t have five years of service time, doing so would mean forfeiting the remainder of his salary, so it seems fair to expect him to accept it and stay with the Halos as non-roster depth.
Why claim a guy who can’t pitch for the Angels?
You are correct that he didn’t pitch for the Angels, but they may have more to do with the fact that he is a position player.
Lol
Doh! Was thinking of a different guy. My mistake.
Perhaps Livan Hernandez?
Were you thinking Sonia “Soto” Sotomayor?
MORENO JUST SELL MAKE THE FANS HAPPY
Didn’t they do this “game” already 1 month ago?
Yep. I was feeling deja vu all over again..
The end of Urias?
They’ll just option him to AAA to replace Holliday.
Why is everyone trying to get rid of Urias. Quintessential utility guy and a great teammate, not to mention that gold glove.
I suspect at some point it’s him or Norby but let’s give Jackson some time to settle in.
Yeah, Urias is the only other third baseman (now behind Westburg) since the O’s clearly want Gunnar at shortstop. If they let go of Urias they will have to play Gunnar at third on occasion, which I doubt they want to do.
Only downside is he doesn’t hit enough lately and is getting expensive for a backup. Os can afford that at the present time. He is still a former gold glover. If he can hit some could save his role or provide some trade value.
Urias’s overall numbers since being on the major league roster are subpar. Yes he won a gold glove couple of years ago. But the Os are in “great” mode right now and he’s just not contributing at an acceptable level. There’s a monster named Coby Mayo who they can bring up to play third if needed. They are in a position to field really good players (and trade for really good players) up and down the lineup, so why settle for guys who are subpar
The problem is Coby has just been plain bad at 3B. He may not stick there especially with Westburg there now. Coby may be a 1b/DH but time will tell.
Only 23, I kind of like the claim. Assuming he has options?
Ok, Plesac is still an Angel.
There is a lot of dead weight in this bullpen. I’d be surprised if he is not used to pitch some of those innings.
And he shall be Livan, and he shall be a relief man, and he shall be optioned to Norfolk, in tradition with the Orioles plan.
*Utility man, doh!
Oh, I thought the O’s claimed Juan Soto off waivers.
Pretty close career OPS in the majors (Livan 0.946 vs. Juan 0.947). Of course Livan only has 64 mlb AB’s and his track record as a prospect suggests that he will more than likely be a below average mlb hitter.
You know the Marlins and the Red Sox will put in claims for Urias. The Sox should move Devers to first base and put Urias at third. That could solve some of their defensive problems and help ease the loss of Story. The Marlins curls go ahead and trade Arrauez.
The Marlins,the White Sox and perhaps the Richie should should be targeting the Os trade partners. They should be targeting Heston Kjerstad and/or Coby Mayo, Colton Cowser, Westburh, Ryan McKenna, Kyle STowers, Terrin Vavra,
The Os are too deep with position players. Luzardo would look great in Baltimore uniform, while making them deadly in the playoffs. Get 6 to 7 solid innings from Luzardo throughout the playoffs and they might be unbeatable. If they don’t want to pay Burnes and Boras’free agent asking price, they won’t be stranded without a backup plan. The Orioles could also ask for Trevor Rogers as a complimentary piece.
If I was a GM for one of the aforementioned teams, I would have the Orioles on speed dial. The Marlins can then go ahead and trade Luis Arrauez for younger pitching and younger prospects
Even if Luzardo were pitching well I doubt the O’s would trade Westburg, Cowser or Mayo for him — but they could consider trading Kjerstad and some of the others. Including Arraez in a deal would certainly change things even though Arraez isn’t really hitting much yet.
Arraez going to replace Holliday. Not likely at this point
No but he could replace Westburg at third. Problem is Westburg is hitting and Holliday so far looks a little overmatched (though only two games).
If Urias is placed on waivers he’ll never get to the Red Sox. He’ll be claimed by Colorado or the White Sox, and instantly be one of their best players.
Kjestad is replacing Santandar at year end when he hits fa. Mayo will replace Urias. Os need more hr power. Norby might be the only one without a role if he can’t move to lf. Luzardo is good but not worth the cost in future for minimal upgrade over kremer as number 5 starter when means and bradish both back in less than a month.
Not so sure Mayo will replace Urias. Mayo’s defense has not looked very good, at least not yet. Mayo might be a first baseman or DH, but hopefully he will stick at third.
Like “Terrin Vavra” shout out. Talk about a forgotten dude, geez!
Typo at the beginning of the 2nd paragraph. It says “this is the second time the Angels have claimed Soto off waivers from the Angels this year” but it is meant to be “this is the second time the ORIOLES have claimed Soto from the Angels this year”
That’s okay, in their article about Jansen they give a link to the wrong Francisco Rodriguez, and as of this time, they still haven’t corrected it.
Destination…..unnnnnnknown
Livian, Livian, Livian Soto
Livian, Livian, Livian Soto
“This is the second time the Angels have claimed Soto off waivers from the Angels this year. The first came back in February, though the Angels were able to claim him right back”
Whoa, my brain hurts
“This is the second time the Angels have claimed Soto off waivers from the Angels this year.”
I hope their is no bad blood between the Angels and the Angels…
Darragh, “This is the second time the Angels have claimed Soto off waivers from the Angels this year.”
The Orioles need more infielders?
He’s a good player and only 23. The Orioles stash him at triple-A and he if plays well he becomes a trade chip. The fact the Angels didn’t find room for this kid is ridiculous.
Because he has mediocre numbers in the minors, that’s why.
So how long before Baltimore DFAs him and the Angels claim him?
The Angels had no room on the 40 man roster and had to DFA him. The Orioles had a spot on the 40 man roster. They claimed him and can send him down!
Orioles fans, what would you want for Kyle stowers from the Padres $$$ or a player? THANKS.
Stowers is worth a lot
More than just cash
Agree Stowers and or kjerstad are rf in 2025 os
tell me how much,
What’s with the Oriole obsession with waiver claims?
Thay have had a lot of luck or skill in taking cast-off and making them succeed. Or in this case it’s more likely depth in minors….
This is not the Soto you are looking for…