The Miami Marlins decided they had enough of first baseman Jesus Aguilar.
The first sacker hadn’t been playing at the top of his capabilities as of late, and the club decided to designate him for assignment.
First baseman Jesus Aguilar has been designated for assignment by the Miami Marlins.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) August 26, 2022
This action is performed when the team needs a roster spot: it effectively removes the player from the 40-man roster.
Now, the Marlins have seven days to trade the player or place him on irrevocable outright waivers.
If Aguilar clears waivers, he may be sent outright to the Minor Leagues or released.
Aguilar hit 35 home runs in 2018, and drove in 93 runs last year for the Marlins.
Aguilar Has Struggled In 2022
His bat, however, hasn’t been the same this year.
The hulky slugger is hitting .236 with 37 runs scored, 15 home runs, 49 RBI, and a poor .674 OPS.
That’s far from his best form.
His .592 OPS since the All-Star break ended up costing him his spot on the roster.
Aguilar is set to hit the free agent market after the season, so the financial hit for the Marlins isn’t as high as one would think.
The Marlins, a rebuilding club, have apparently moved on and decided to give other players, younger players, a chance at playing time.
The most likely scenario has Aguilar clearing waivers and joining another team to play for the final month of the season.
As for the Marlins, they will probably have Garrett Cooper and Lewin Diaz splitting time between first base and the designated hitter spot for the rest of the campaign.
Aguilar’s era with the Marlins was, as a whole, productive, especially at a time in which offense in Miami was scarce.
Those days are now over, and each party will move on in separate ways.
