Arizona Diamondbacks decline club options on Wilmer Flores and T.J. McFarland

The Arizona Diamondbacks declined the club options on INF Wilmer Flores and LHP T.J. McFarland. Additionally, the D-backs outrighted OF Abraham Almote and LHP Robby Scott to Triple-A Reno.

The team wasted no time in giving Flores and McFarland their walking papers. The former probably counts as more of a surprise, in that when we polled the SnakePit about Flores last week, there was better than a 2-1 margin in favor of exercising the option. 70% of respondents voted yes there; McFarland was also given the nod, but by a much smaller edge, of 58-42%. This decision may imply the team is looking to move Ketel Marte back to second next season, feeling they can replace him in center field. Alternatively, they may have other places for second-base, which may or may not include Ildemaro Vargas. We’ll see what develops as we move through the off-season.

McFarland, as also documented a few days ago, wasn’t able to follow up his outstanding 2018 performance, having a very mediocre 2019. Buying out his option will only cost the team $50,000, considerably cheaper than the $500,000 the Diamondbacks will have to pay Flores to leave. The other two moves were designed to clear spots on the 40-man roster, which can be used to protect prospects in advance of the Rule 5 draft in December. The team currently has 35 men on there, including those who are currently on the 60-day injured list (David Peralta, Silvino Bracho and Stephen Souza).

There was also this little nugget dropped in at the end:

INF Kevin Cron, 26, underwent a Partial Medial Meniscectomy (medial meniscus trim) in his right knee on October 15 in Scottsdale (performed by Dr. Waslewski). Cron is expected to be a full participant in Spring Training.

First I’d heard of any kind of issue with Cron’s knee.