Dozens of players were non-tendered today, and they've been added to our 2010 free agents list. It's fitting that these players comprise the youngest free agents, since they were cut before tallying six years of service time. It should be noted that a one-year deal for many of these players can become more, as quite a few would again be arbitration-eligible after the 2010 season. Let's take a look at the most interesting non-tenders…
- Matt Capps, RP – The decision to let Capps go was a surprise move by the Pirates. The 26-year-old did fine work closing for the Bucs in 2007 and '08. His career BB/9 is just 1.7. His elbow was bruised twice this year, but Capps was otherwise healthy as his hits and home runs allowed ballooned.
- Kelly Johnson, 2B – Dealing with a wrist injury, Johnson hit .224/.303/.389 and lost the starting second base job in Atlanta. He's an interesting pickup given his offensive success in the two years prior. Johnson turns 28 in February.
- D.J. Carrasco, SP/RP – It was surprising to see Carrasco's name pop up as a possible non-tender on Friday, but it became a reality today. The righty, 33 in April, led MLB in relief innings and did solid work with a 3.76 ERA. Carrasco hopes to start in 2010, according to MLB.com's Scott Merkin.
- Chien-Ming Wang, SP – Wang, 30 in March, had strong years in '06 and '07 as the Yankees' mid-rotation groundball specialist. He had shoulder surgery in July but hopes to be ready by May 1st.
- Jack Cust, DH/OF – Cust is the AL strikeout leader for three years running, but he's also hit at least 25 home runs and drawn at least 90 walks in each of those seasons. He'd fit best in a DH role.
- Ryan Garko, 1B – Garko, 29 in January, has some decent years under his belt but struggled after being traded to the Giants this year. He still handles lefties well.
- Adam Miller, SP – Miller was once the Indians' top prospect, but he's had tendon surgery performed many times on the middle finger of his pitching hand.
- John Buck, C – Buck doesn't seem much worse than the veteran catchers currently snagging two-year offers, and he's only 29. He's shown flashes of power at times.
- Mike MacDougal, RP – MacDougal became a non-tender candidate when the Nationals acquired Brian Bruney last week. He saved 20 games this year but walked more than he struck out.
- Jonny Gomes, OF – Gomes, 29, hit .267/.338/.541 in 314 plate appearances for the Reds this year, though he did get to face lefties 35% of the time. He's had a hard time shaking the platoon bat label due to a .224/.311/.448 career line against righties.
- Garrett Atkins, 1B/3B – He has the name value, but his defense and ability to hit away from Coors are in question. This year, he didn't hit at Coors either.
- Ryan Church, RF – With a career line of .272/.345/.441 and strong right field defense, Church would at the least make a solid fourth outfielder.
- Jose Arredondo, RP – Armed with a 94 mph fastball, Arredondo posted a 1.62 ERA, 8.1 K/9, and 3.2 BB/9 as a rookie in '08. He struggled this year and is now scheduled for Tommy John surgery. He could be signed with an eye on 2011.
