MLB rumors: Braves sweep could force Cohen’s hand, Didi is back, Red Sox call-up, more
By Josh Wilson
The Braves could completely derail the Mets season, a broken star is back in the minors, and the Red Sox made a move before tonight’s Yankees game.
Today’s MLB rumors roundup looks at a pair of minor league moves made by the Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox, as well as the state of the New York Mets which is entirely questionable after getting swept by the Atlanta Braves.
Last night, Ozzie Albies called game in the 10th inning with a walk-off home run, making for the third game in a row that Atlanta rallied from a deficit to defeat the Mets. New York has won just one of its six games against Atlanta this season and is on a five-game skid.
But before we get to the Mets trouble, let’s look at the Mariners and Red Sox moves.
Infielder Didi Gregorius is back in the minors in Mariners organization
Shortstop Didi Gregorius has signed a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners that includes $1.5 million in performance bonuses. Gregorius will play at AAA in Tacoma to start and is expected to, “move around the infield,” and play a fair share of second base.
Didi Gregorius’ deal with the Mariners will include $1.5 million with performance bonuses if he makes the Major League team, according to a source.
— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) June 9, 2023
The longtime shortstop will move around the infield, including second base, when he reports to Triple-A Tacoma after a physical.
Last year, the Phillies released Gregorius after he suffered a tough performance decline. He put up a .567 OPS in 2022 and a negative defensive WAR in his final two seasons with Philly after being a net-positive defender in all but one of the other seasons of his big-league career. He committed 18 errors in 2021 in fewer than 100 games started.
It’s a low-risk signing for the Mariners who could help Gregorius get his career back on track.