The Alexis Diaz experience
Alex Diaz's time is up in Cincinnati. It's just a matter of when the Reds are willing to admit it.
It's been a steady performance decline for the former Reds closer.
Some might call it all surprising. Afterall, he posted a 2.47 ERA in his first 130 ML appearances.
But since the start of 2023, he's seen a year-to-year decline in first strike percentage, strikeouts per nine innings, an increase in baserunners per nine innings, walks per nine innings and ERA.
What happened? Simple answer: MLB hitters stopped swinging at balls. He doesn't throw enough strikes, and when he does, they get hit. And when batters get on, he can't stop them from running. That's an unworkable situation for a pitcher.
Terry Francona cleary saw no reason to trust him after eyeballing him in Goodyear. But the Reds gave him a shot. Heck, they saved him the embarrassment of a demotion out of spring training, by instead placing him on the 'IL', despite his admission his hamstring was fine.
After three weeks of mediocre to poor Triple-A performances, they called him up.
He's still a mess.
He's a man without a role. There isn't a game situation that matters that they could possibly feel good using him in.
Sure, he's got minor league options. But they've been there, done that. The attempted 'fix' didn't take.
There's no purpose sending him back to Louisville.
So, now what?
He's owed $4.5M this year.
Can they trade him? Perhaps. Maybe they offer to pay a portion of the salary and get a low level prospect in return.
How do they replace him? I'd assume it's with Sam Moll in about a week.
All that remains is the final chapter on Diaz. The transaction will read either traded, or released.
The clock ticks. The end nears.