The Oakland A’s recent signings and blockbuster trade involving Sean Murphy has led to a roster crunch. Two more players now find themselves on the outside looking in.
The A’s made the signings of Jace Peterson and Aledmys Diaz official on Tuesday. Due to those signings, the A’s also announced that Ernie Clement and Yonny Hernandez for assignment. Vimael Machin had also been DFA’d on Monday.
Oakland A’s cut more utility player depth in Clement, Hernandez
Clement, Hernandez, and Machin are all essentially the same sort of player. They have high contact rates with minimal power and an ability to slot around the infield. All three had been at least somewhat well regarded at times in their minor league careers, although that did not translate to the major league level.
Clement had spent most of the 2022 season with the Guardians before the A’s acquired him off of waivers late in the season. He did not exactly make a strong impression in his brief time in Oakland, notching one hit, albeit a double, in his 18 plate appearances. Overall in 2022, Clement posted a 33 OPS+ with four doubles in his 179 plate appearances as he was one of the worst hitters in the majors last season.
Hernandez, somehow, was worse at the major league level, although he had a much smaller sample size. He had two hits in 28 plate appearances, “good” for a -28 OPS+. Yes, he stole two bases, but that did not make up for his lack of contributions anywhere else. He did not exactly light Triple-A on fire either in 2022, posting a .241/.349/.324 batting line with 13 extra base hits in 298 plate appearances despite playing in an offensively charged league.
It is possible that both players will remain in the A’s system. The A’s could keep Clement and Hernandez in Triple-A, ready to come to the majors in case of injury or if one of their other options falls apart. It may, however, be expecting too much of either player to be at least respectable with the bat.
The Oakland A’s are starting to get rid of their collection of mediocre utility infielders. Ernie Clement and Yonny Hernandez were designated for assignment on Tuesday.