The New York Yankees and free-agent infielder Wilmer Difo agreed to a split contract on Friday that will pay him $1.2 million if he's in the majors in 2023, according to a source. The 30-year-old will receive a non-roster invite to major-league spring training. He'll be hoping to earn a roster spot on Opening Day as a utility infielder for the Yankees. The Dominican switch-hitter only played in three games in the majors last season for the Arizona Diamondbacks, and he has a mediocre .250/.311/.353 slash line with a .664 OPS, 19 home runs, 103 RBI, 158 runs and 24 stolen bases in 493 career games over eight major-league seasons with three teams. Difo doesn't have any fantasy appeal.
Diamondbacks Reportedly Sign Wilmer Difo To Minors Deal
The Arizona Diamondbacks have reportedly signed infielder Wilmer Difo to a minor league deal, according to FanSided's Robert Murray. Also per Murray, Difo will report to Major League Spring Training. The infielder made his Major League debut with the Washington Nationals in 2015 and stayed with Washington through the 2020 campaign. The veteran signed with Pittsburgh last January and logged 240 plate appearances for the National League Central franchise last season, hitting .269 with a .329 on-base percentage, four home runs, and a stolen base. Able to play second base, shortstop, and third base, he'll give the Diamondbacks some additional infield depth behind starters Ketel Marte, Nick Ahmed, and Josh Rojas.
Pittsburgh Pirates utility player Wilmer Difo went 3-for-5 with a triple, three RBI and two runs scored in a 6-5 win over the Cubs on Sunday. Difo has been primarily used as a pinch-hitter or late-inning replacement, but with injuries affecting the Pirates' outfield, Difo could be in line for a slight bump in playing time. In 24 games this season, Difo is now slashing .273/.304/.477 with one home run, six RBI and five runs scored. When he is in the starting lineup, he could be worth considering as a replacement off the bench in NL-only or deep mixed leagues.
Washington Nationals shortstop Wilmer Difo went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run, his first of the year, in Washington's 6-5 loss against the New York Mets on Saturday. Difo, who replaced Trea Turner after the latter broke his finger on April 2, can go deep (or steal a bag) occasionally but lacks mixed league relevance with his career wRC+ of 74. Still, any signs of competence like Saturday's from Difo will continue to keep at bay any temptation for the Nationals to rush top prospect Carter Kieboom to the majors.
Washington Nationals infielder Wilmer Difo (rest) is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Miami Marlins. Daniel Murphy will bat sixth and play second base, while Matt Adams (finger) returns from the DL and plays first base. Playing time for Difo is going to continue to decrease as the Nats get healthy. Owners who are counting on Difo should go ahead and look for another option.
Washington Nationals infielder Wilmer Difo (rest) is not in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Boston Red Sox. Daniel Murphy will play second base and bat fifth against lefty Brian Johnson. Mark Reynolds will play first base and Murphy slides back over to second for Tuesday's contest. Difo has seen more playing time lately with Murphy getting starts at first base. Difo is worth an add in NL-only leagues, but won't be a fantasy asset once Ryan Zimmerman (oblique) gets off the disabled list.
Wilmer Difo Becoming an Interesting Deep League Option
Washington Nationals second baseman Wilmer Difo has quietly become an interesting deep league fantasy option in 2018. Difo hit .282 with three home runs and an .810 OPS over 25 games in May, and he has hit two triples while driving in three runs and scoring three runs over his first four games in June. He doesn't have any one single category where he will help your team, but he can contribute in most categories across the board and his eligibility at second base, third base and shortstop in both ESPN and Yahoo leagues makes him a good plug-and-play option to keep on the bench. Add him in 12-team NL-only leagues and 14-team mixed leagues.
Washington Nationals second baseman Wilmer Difo extended his hitting streak in dramatic fashion on Sunday with a walk-off single to center field against the Phillies. Difo has now hit safely in nine straight games for the Nats. The Nationals have been using Difo in the ninth spot in the lineup recently. While that is not ideal for fantasy purposes, Difo has responded well and has become someone to keep on your radar. Difo's walk rate in 2018 has improved to 14.4%, leading to a .388 OBP on the season. Difo is obviously more valuable in OBP formats. Look for Difo to slide back to a bench role when Daniel Murphy comes back from his knee injury.
Wilmer Difo Gets On Base Four Times While Batting Ninth
Washington Nationals infielder Wilmer Difo found that hitting ninth agrees with him. On Tuesday, he was switched with starting pitcher Max Scherzer in a move designed to get someone on base for Bryce Harper, who was leading off. The move worked brilliantly, as Difo got on four times, hitting a home run, walking twice and scoring three runs. He now has a .352 on-base percentage this season, a few ticks above his career mark of .328. Manager Dave Martinez has said that Harper will stay atop the lineup, so this configuration with Difo in the nine-hole might provide Difo owners with some nice numbers in the coming days. Couple that with his multi-position eligibility, and you might have an OBP deep league sleeper on your hands in the short term.
Anthony Rendon Sits Again Sunday, Wilmer Difo Starting At Third
Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon is sitting out the series finale against the Rockies on Sunday. Wilmer Difo will draw the start at third and bat second. Rendon fouled a ball off his foot on Friday and a trip to the DL is still possible. He's been a steady, if unspectacular, hitter in the early going, one of the few for the ball club. Difo has quietly been getting on base at a steady clip over the last seven days. He's gone 6-for-15 with two doubles and two walks. Keep an eye on how many starts he makes around the infield. He's already started once at third, once at shortstop and splits time at second with Howie Kendrick while Daniel Murphy is out.
Wilmer Difo
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Yankees
