Miami Marlins outfielder Cristian Pache has been sent outright to Triple-A Jacksonville after being designated for assignment on Tuesday. Miami claimed Pache from the Baltimore Orioles after the out-of-options outfielder was placed on waivers just days after the trade deadline. He was designated for assignment by the Marlins to create space on the active roster for fellow outfielder Dane Myers. Myers has been sidelined with a fractured ankle since July and recently returned from a minor league rehab assignment.
Cristian Pache cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Jacksonville
— Fish On First (@FishOnFirst) September 26, 2024
Pache appeared in 35 games for the Fish but totaled just 64 plate appearances, hitting .183/.234/.283 with a 32.8% strikeout rate. He had been a former top prospect, but the 25-year-old has struggled offensively at the big-league level. Pache is a career .181/.243/.275 hitter in 251 career games in the majors spanning parts of five seasons.
Marlins Outright Outfielder Cristian Pache to Triple-A
Pache’s prospect stock was largely built on his perceived floor as an elite defensive center fielder. The young outfielder is a gifted defender with 11 defensive runs saved and 17 outs above average in the majors. Despite his excellent defense, his offensive struggles have limited him to a fifth outfielder role.
This was the fourth time Pache has been designated for assignment and is the first time he has gone unclaimed. His three years of major league service time gives him the right to elect free agency over an outright assignment. Unless the Marlins call him back up within the next few days, Pache will qualify for free agency at the end of the season. Between his elite defense and former prospect status, Pache should draw plenty of interest as a non-roster depth player. His service time will make him arbitration-eligible this winter and give him three more years of club control. Considering that he is out of minor league options, Pache would either have to remain in the majors or be placed back on waivers.
Photo Credit: © Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
