Jason

Vosler

Vosler, 31, crushed the ball in Triple-A last season, hitting .303/.371/.573 with 31 homers and 110 RBI for Tacoma, but he’s thus far come in at just .207/.274/.395 in 107 major league games with the Giants, Reds and Mariners. With the choice of taking a minor league contract with a chance to compete for a job in spring training or getting guaranteed money overseas, he’s opted for Japan. He could take over as Chunichi’s first baseman. That was a spot long held down by former White Sox player Dayan Viciedo, but at age 35, he lost his hold on the job last season.

Vosler went unclaimed despite putting up excellent numbers in the minors with Triple-A Tacoma. He’ll be a minor-league free agent at the end of the 2024 campaign.

The move makes room for Austin Kitchen on the 40-man. Vosler has been excellent in Triple-A this year, hitting .299/.368/.566 with 28 homers in 111 games. It might make sense for the Royals to put in a claim and give themselves another first base option with Vinnie Pasquantonio out.

Vosler loses his spot on Seattle’s bench with Dominic Canzone set to return from the injured list for Thursday’s game against the Tigers. The 30-year-old hit .179 (5-for-28) with three RBI in 10 games for the Mariners.

Turner brings a .254/.349/.371 line with him to Seattle. Odds are that he’ll fare a little worse while playing half of his games in arguably baseball’s toughest ballpark for hitters, but we’ll see. He’ll serve as a first baseman and DH for the Mariners. Jason Vosler, Tyler Locklear and Mitch Garver might all have to fight it out for time the other spot. That’s bad for Garver, but he will remain the team’s backup catcher.

INF Ryan Bliss was optioned in a corresponding move and the Mariners already had space on the 40-man roster after trading Mike Bauman to the Giants. Vosler hit .289 with 20 home runs in 89 games at Triple-A and figures get time at first base with Ty France placed on waivers.

Vosler posted a .571 OPS with three homers in 20 games early last season for the Reds before being shipped to the minors by late April. The 30-year-old corner infielder provides Seattle with some emergency infield depth at Triple-A Tacoma heading into the regular season.

Vosler cleared waivers after being designated for assignment earlier this week. The 29-year-old year makes for useful depth for Cincy moving forward.

Vosler got off to a hot start with three homers in his first five games with the Reds, but has cooled off considerably of late, batting .161/.200/.371 with three homers and 10 RBI across 65 plate appearances. The 29-year-old corner infielder makes sense as a righty-mashing platoon specialist in a limited role.

Vosler had a great first week, but he’s 5-for-47 with one extra-base hit and 20 strikeouts in his last 50 plate appearances. He’d be getting optioned out now if Joey Votto were ready to return. Since that’s not happening, maybe the Reds should take a look at other potential replacements (Matt McLain?).