Ex-Red Sox Fireballer Officially DFA'd By AL West Club After Rough Start To Season

Oakland made moves Thursday, including one involving a former member of the Red Sox

One former member of the Boston Red Sox may be on the move. 

Former Red Sox reliever Jeurys Familia officially was designated for assignment by the Oakland Athletics on Thursday afternoon, according to the club, after signing a big league contract with the club in March. 

Familiar began the season as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks organization after signing a minor league contract this past offseason. The fireballer was released by the club in March and almost immediately signed with the Athletics. 

At one point, Familia was one of the most dominant relievers in all of baseball, but he has struggled over the last few years. The 33-year-old spent the first six years of his MLB career with the New York Mets. Familiar was dealt midway through the 2018 season from the Mets to the Athletics, but re-joined New York ahead of the 2019 season. Familia spent the 2022 season between the Philadelphia Phillies and Red Sox and struggled while compiling a 6.09 ERA in 48 appearances. 

In Boston alone, Familia made 10 appearances and compiled a 6.10 ERA. Familia has struggled to begin the 2023 season and has compiled a 6.39 ERA in 14 appearances for the Athletics. Command has been his biggest issue as he's walked 13 batters while striking out just nine batters. 

Now that Familia has been designated for assignment, Oakland will have one week to trade Familia. Teams will have will the chance to place a waiver claim on the hurler as well, but if they were to sign him he immediately would have to join the acquiring team's 40-man roster. If no team has traded for or claimed Familia in a week, he could go to Oakland's farm system or become a free agent and have the chance to sign with any club. 

After struggling to open the season, it wouldn't be too surprising if Familia were to go unclaimed and then sign a minor league contract with a club. He's a former All-Star and 12-year veteran so he likely could provide depth for another club, but may need some time in the minors to fine tune his mechanics and return to form. 

There's no way for sure to know what will happen next, but he likely will be on the move.  

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