Breaking: Mariners Put $7 Million Player on Waivers

We’ve known all season that the Seattle Mariners are looking to beef up their offense. Now, we can only assume that a major move is coming, as they have placed their regular first baseman, Ty France on irrevocable outright waivers.

The Mariners have placed 1B Ty France on outright waivers, per source. If he goes unclaimed, France — who is earning $6.775M and is arbitration-eligible for one more season — can refuse an assignment to the Minors. France has 8 HR, 31 RBI & a .664 OPS in 87 G. @RyanDivish was on…
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 22, 2024

France, who's earning $6.775 million this year, has had an extremely disappointing season, batting just .224 with an OPS of .664, far removed from his All-Star season of 2022. The 30-year-old has just 8 HR and 31 RBIs.

If France goes unclaimed by another team, due to his service time, he can refuse the outright assignment to the minors and become an unrestricted free agent.

Prospect Tyler Locklear, who's played all of 11 games at the major league level this season, will now get full-time at-bats at first base, until/if another more proven bat is brought in (it would be a big surprise if that doesn't happen).

Locklear has hit .283 with an .893 OPS at Double-A and Triple-A this season with 12 homers and 44 RBIs.

The Mariners have been mentioned as a top suitor for the top first basemen who could be on the trade market this coming week, from Pete Alonso (not very likely) to Josh Bell (much more likely) and others in between.