The Diamondbacks are signing infielder Luis Guillorme, reports Daniel Álvarez-Montes of El Extrabase on X. It appears to be a major league deal, as Álvarez-Montes adds that the infielder is already at LoanDepot Park in Miami for tonight’s game against the Marlins. The Snakes will need to make a corresponding move or moves to add the veteran to their active and 40-man rosters.
Once Guillorme officially becomes a Diamondback, it will be his third club of the year. He began the season with Atlanta but was traded to the Angels in May. The Halos had most of their infield either banged up or on the injured list at that time, with each of Anthony Rendon, Michael Stefanic, Brandon Drury, Luis Rengifo and Miguel Sanó dealing with injuries. He played a part-time role with the Angels until he was released last week.
Between the two clubs, Guillorme has hit .218/.285/.290 this year, a line that translates to a wRC+ of 63. That’s roughly in line with last year’s production, when he hit .224/.288/.327 with the Mets for a wRC+ of 70. He was non-tendered after 2023 and became a free agent, which led to his deal with Atlanta.
Prior to the lackluster performance that began last year, Guillorme had a some solid years in Queens. He got into 201 games for the Mets over the 2020 to 2022 period, slashing .278/.367/.344 for a wRC+ of 107. He did that while bouncing between the three infield positions to the left of first base, getting average-ish grades at all three in that time.
The Diamondbacks recently lost a big piece of their infield with Ketel Marte landing on the injured list due to a left ankle sprain. That has led to Kevin Newman moving from a bench role into the club’s regular at the keystone, next to Geraldo Perdomo at shortstop and Eugenio Suárez at third base.
The club has Blaze Alexander on hand as infield depth but he’s fairly lacking in experience, with just 61 big league games under his belt to this point. He’s also right-handed, whereas Guillorme hits from the left side, so having both on the bench could give manager Torey Lovullo a bit more flexibility in optimizing his non-Marte lineups. Guillorme has a 98 wRC+ against righties in his career, compared to a 63 wRC+ against southpaws. Newman, a righty, has a 98 RC+ with the platoon advantage but a 69 without.
It’s a fairly low-cost pickup for the Snakes, as the Angels are on the hook for most of Guillorme’s $1.1MM salary. Arizona will only have to pay him the prorated version of the $740K league minimum salary for any time spent on the roster, with that amount subtracted from what the Angels pay.
Guillorme hasn’t been in amazing form of late but has a decent track record, which could perhaps allow him to help the Diamondbacks get through this period of time without Marte, which they hope will be short. If Guillorme bounces back and holds his roster spot through the end of the year, he can be retained for 2025 via arbitration.
Why?
because marte is out and Blaze looks bad. he’s a solid player
Solid, but can’t hit for squat. Yay.
Let’s hope he learns to hit with us.
I find it hard to believe the Dbacks signed this guy to a Major League contract, maybe a Minor League contract? Unless Marte actually has a major injury to his ankle ending his season so he can immediately be moved to the 60 Day IL? I hope that’s not the case, but it’s the only reason for such a move.
Unless it’s Gabi Moreno or Christian Walker that go on season ending 60 Day IL?
Still no reason for the signing we have people filling in for those guys that are solid think it’s Torrey don’t like pavin and once again he’ll be sent form
Dbacks site just reported blaze was the one sent down which again just makes no sense
yes it does. he’s been bad and we need a veteran. blaze will be up in September
Rugger
Blaze was scuffling at AAA before the Dbacks brought him back up. I think either he lost confidence in himself or theDbacks lost confidence in him…or both.
Taker
I think if Lawler is healthy, he’ll get the call in September for his speed, just like last year.
Arguably the most underrated franchise in all of sports.
Damn , here I thought it was the Blue Jackets.
Adjusting the 25-man roster is easy, send Alexander back to Reno. As far as the 40-man roster could it be with Del Castillo hitting right now and Moreno may not be back before the season is over according to some reports, they could move Moreno to the 60 day.
Ok I’m an alarmist!
Dbacks designate Gavin Hollowell for assignment to create the 40 man roster spot. I was only thinking about position players.
Nobody can replace Marte, but Hazen has been pretty crafty finding platoon partners that put up solid numbers. Unless Guillorme gets crazy hot, I’m guessing he is DFAd when Marte returns. If he does get hot, Pavin Smith may go back to Reno.