Non-Tendered Players’ Starts

Last December, 39 players were non-tendered by their clubs, sending them in search of new employment. We're now two months into this season, and those who have found a home on a major league club have begun to settle into their new surroundings. Let's take a look at some of the notable names from that list and see how they've fared early on:

• Matt Capps signed a one-year deal with Washington for $3.5MM and has been tremendous so far. While he's slipped recently, allowing runs in four of his last five outings, he's still got a 2.96 ERA, an 8.51 K/9, and 17 saves.
• Kelly Johnson had a scorching April, mashing 17 extra base hits (nine homers) en route to a 1.154 OPS for the month. He's hit just .200 in May, but owns a .253/.357/.553 line for Arizona after signing for one year at $2.35MM.
• After being cut loose by the Royals, John Buck signed with Toronto for one year and $2MM. He's hitting .267/.315/.533, hitting eight home runs and throwing out 19.2% of thieves on the basepaths.
• D.J. Carrasco has increased his walks (3.64 BB/9) but his strikeouts as well (7.28 K/9) since being non-tendered by the White Sox and signing with Pittsburgh for $950K. The righty has notched 29.2 innings and a 3.94 ERA for the Buccos while allowing just one home run.
• Scott Olsen was non-tendered by the Nationals, but re-signed with club a day later for a $1MM base salary. After a rough start, the lefty strung together five great outings, though struggled in his last and was placed on the DL. Olsen has a 3.77 ERA, 6.7 K/9, and 2.93 BB/9 through 43 innings (eight starts) this season.
• Like Olsen, Jonny Gomes re-signed with his former team after being non-tendered. Gomes has been great for the Reds so far, hitting .307/.354/.543 through 148 PAs.
• After being non-tendered by Atlanta, Ryan Church signed with Pittsburgh for one year and $1.5MM. Plagued by some bad luck (.240 BABIP), Church is off to just a .208/.255/.354 start. The BABIP may explain the low average, but Church's normally keen eye has dissipated as well (4.9 BB%).
• A change of scenery wasn't what the doctor ordered for Garrett Atkins. Since finding a new home in Baltimore, the former Rockies powerhouse has hit just .214/.261/.294 with one home run.
• Ryan Garko signed with the Mariners after being non-tendered by the Giants, however he failed to make the team out of Spring Training and was waived. The Rangers claimed him, but he managed just three hits in 38 plate appearances before clearing waivers and being sent to Triple-A.