Xavier

Paul

According to MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch, former minor league outfielder Breland Brown posed as an agent and told ABL officials that Paul would play in the Australian league this offseason if Brown himself was also invited. When Paul didn’t show, authorities were alerted and Brown’s attempt at landing a contract were thwarted. It’s an odd news item, but Paul should ultimately espace the fiasco unscathed.

This offseason hasn’t been kind to Paul, whose name was used in an identity hoax earlier this month in Australia. The 26-year-old outfielder batted .255/.292/.346 with two homers, 20 RBI, 16 stolen bases and a .638 OPS over 262 plate appearances this season between the Dodgers and Pirates. He will become a free agent if he is not claimed.

Paul’s nightmare offseason continues. His name was used in an identity hoax earlier this month in Australia, the Pirates DFA’d him 10 days ago, and now he’s been given his walking papers. MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch writes that the Pirates expressed interest in Paul returning, but he cannot resign with the organization until May 16, per baseball rules, which makes a reunion unlikely. The 26-year-old outfielder batted .255/.292/.346 with two homers, 20 RBI, 16 stolen bases and a .638 OPS over 262 plate appearances this season between the Dodgers and Pirates.

Paul hit just .255/.292/.346 with two home runs in 262 plate appearances this past year for the Dodgers and Pirates. He’ll serve as outfield depth with the Nats.

Paul recently signed a minor league deal with the Reds after opting out of his contract with the Nationals. The 27-year-old has a .246/.288/.341 batting line over 411 plate appearances in the majors and can be ignored in most fantasy leagues.

Paul opted out of his deal with the Nationals last week. He’s reported to Triple-A Louisville and will give the Reds some depth there.

Paul evidently had the ability to opt out of his minor league contract with the Nationals. The 27-year-old outfielder was hitting .318/.379/.517 with eight homers, 44 RBI and an .896 OPS through 59 games with Triple-A Syracuse.

Since he was called up by the Reds last July, Paul has hit as well as any reserve outfielder, batting .294/.389/.438 with four homers and 20 RBI in 160 at-bats. Paul has cost Cincy four runs below replacement defensively in limited opportunities this year, so he’ll have to keep his lumber warm to steal at-bats.

No word on the reason for the change. Alex Presley will make the start in center field while Xavier Paul plays left.

Paul’s single in the first inning plated a pair of runs, and he added two more singles after that. The journeyman has seen lots of playing time in left field this season and is quietly having a nice year, sporting a .278/.398/.389 batting line. The problem is that he doesn’t have much power or speed, making him a pretty underwhelming fantasy option.