The Seattle Mariners have claimed first baseman Michael Toglia off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds.
Toglia had a short stay on the active roster with the Reds, appearing in only 10 games before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury.
Who is Michael Toglia?
Toglia was a well-regarded prospect in the Rockies organization before being dropped from the 40-man roster.
He had a nice season in Louisville, slashing .273/.373/.547 with 22 dingers in only 402 trips to the plate.
However, his strikeout rate soared north of 39% in the next season, leading the Rockies to designate him for assignment and non-tender him.
- Toglia is a switch-hitting former first-round pick who was a well-regarded prospect in the Rockies organization.
- He had a career-high 458 plate appearances and belt 25 homers back in 2024, but a 32.1% strikeout rate undercut that power.
- He is out of minor league options and will need to either break camp with the Mariners or be designated for assignment.
What's the Challenge for Toglia?
Toglia will add a first base/corner outfield/designated hitter option to the Mariners' depth chart.
However, there's a decent chance he'll get bounced from the 40-man at some point over the winter.
Players who are on the injured list can't be placed on outright waivers, so it seems likely the M's picked him up off release waivers.
What's Next for Toglia?
Toglia will be stashed on the Mariners' 60-day IL until players need to be activated and returned to the 40-man roster.
This will likely happen five days after the conclusion of the World Series.
As the Mariners continue to build their roster, it's worth noting that Toglia's injury history and minor league options status make it uncertain how long he'll stick with the team.
According to sources, Toglia's shoulder injury was a significant concern for the Reds, and it's possible that the Mariners are taking a chance on him because of his potential upside.
However, if Toglia is unable to break camp with the Mariners, he may be at risk of being designated for assignment, which would be a significant setback for his career.
The Mariners' claim of Toglia adds depth to their roster, but it's unclear how long he'll be a part of the team.
As the offseason continues, it will be interesting to see how the Mariners use Toglia and whether he'll be able to carve out a role for himself in the big leagues.
Sources
- Mlbtraderumors: Mariners Claim Michael Toglia
- Yahoo Sports: Seattle Mariners claim Michael Toglia off waivers from Cincinnati Reds
