Former Guardians Ace Elects Free Agency

He was once the next ace of the Cleveland Guardians pitching staff, posting a 2.28 ERA and a 0.79 WHIP in 2020, along with a stunning strikeout-to-walk ratio of 57:6.

But things have gone downhill for Zach Plesac over the past three seasons, and now, after being DFA'd in June, Plesac has decided to elect for free agency, and he'll try to catch on with another team, one that believes they can unlock that 2020 version of the righty once again. 

Zach Plesac files for free agency: Guardians’ class of 2016 takes another hit https://t.co/9RazeBQ0de

— paul hoynes (@hoynsie) October 14, 2023

Plesac posted a combined ERA close to 5.00 over the last three years, including a 7.59 mark in eight starts this past season. Things got no better at Triple-A this season in Columbus, where he struggled to a 6.08 ERA in 19 appearances. 

Given that he's still just 28, and has minor league options remaining, he could find himself a deal with a team willing to roll with him at the major and minor league level next season in an attempt to get back to form. 

Overall, in 466 big league innings, he still has a 4.20 ERA with a 1.23 WHIP and an ERA+ above average (102, 2% above the average pitcher). 

Photo: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports