Jarred Kelenic's White Sox DFA moves former Mariner closer to the end of the MLB line

It wasn't long ago that Jarred Kelenic had some helium underneath him ahead of a showdown with the Seattle Mariners as a member of the Chicago White Sox. But that was then. This is now, wherein he's no longer with the White Sox.

As a corresponding move for the selection of Rikuu Nishida, Kelenic was designated for assignment by the White Sox on Monday. He's now in DFA limbo, which could result in a trade, a waiver claim, an assignment to the minor leagues or, in Kelenic's case, free agency.

Whatever happens, this is the latest in a long line of less-than-flattering moments for Kelenic. In just five years, he's gone from ranking ahead of Julio Rodríguez among Seattle prospects to crashing out with the Mariners, the Atlanta Braves and now the White Sox.

With the season ongoing and teams always in need of reinforcements, you have to figure that Kelenic will elect free agency and catch on with whatever team has the best opportunity for him. Just to throw a few candidates out there, the Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees could have use of a lefty-hitting corner outfielder.

Just don't expect the Mariners to get in line. Even if Kelenic is purportedly a lot calmer than when he was in his Seattle days between 2021 and 2023, they're just fine with Luke Raley and Randy Arozarena in the corners.

Jarred Kelenic might need to consider an overseas Hail Mary to save his MLB career

Since Kelenic is bound to get another shot and there's still a lot of season left, it would be foolish to write off the possibility of him finding something in 2026. It could be that all he needs is the right coach in his ear.

For the moment, though, all the evidence says that Kelenic is who he is. And that's not a viable major league hitter.

As Kelenic will turn 27 years old on July 16, he should be in his prime. In actuality, he's played in 426 major league games and has an 84 OPS+ and -0.1 rWAR to show for the experience. He has a career 30.7 strikeout percentage, and has long been easily thwarted by breaking balls (.177 AVG, 41.7 Whiff%) in particular.

The vibe is that of a player who has fully squandered whatever value he once had as one of MLB's top prospects. As such, the best thing for Kelenic might be to leave MLB entirely for a year or two abroad in Japan or Korea. Rejected and dejected major leaguers have been known to find themselves again over there, including current Mariner Patrick Wisdom.

It's either this, or he can continue bouncing around major league organizations qith hopes that something will click. Given that he's not yet old enough to be washed, even Mariners fans should believe that Kelenic is too talented to subject himself to that kind of life.

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