With every team throughout MLB in roster maintenance mode now that the offseason is underway, there’s a steady stream of players being jettisoned from 40-man rosters via outright waivers. Players who’ve previously cleared waivers and been outrighted at least once before have the option to elect free agency upon clearing a second time, as does any player who has at least three years of MLB service. We’ll track today’s slate of players opting for the open market in light of previously announced outrights here…
- First baseman/outfielder Tyler Austin elected to become a free agent rather than accept an outright assignment from the Brewers, per the Pacific Coast League’s transactions log. Austin, who turned 28 in September, only took 27 plate appearances in his brief tenure with the Brewers. He split the 2019 season between Minnesota, San Francisco and Milwaukee, batting a combined .188/.296/.409 with nine long balls in 179 trips to the plate. Austin possesses significant power (career .232 ISO) but has struck out in 36.9 percent of his career plate appearances — leading to glaring on-base issues. He could, however, be a useful platoon option at first base, given the right-handed hitter’s career .253/.345/.539 batting line against left-handed opponents. Austin was outrighted last week and would’ve been eligible for arbitration had he remained with the club.
- Blue Jays lefty Buddy Boshers opted for free agency after clearing outright waivers, per the International League transactions page. Boshers, 31, pitched 20 innings out of the Toronto bullpen and logged a 4.05 ERA (4.21 FIP) with a 26-to-10 K/BB ratio. The southpaw has been solid but not overpowering against lefties in parts of four MLB seasons, holding same-handed opponents to a .247/.295/.371 batting line through 200 plate appearances. Right-handers have had an easier go against him, hitting at a .261/.335/.442 pace through 259 plate appearances.
I would love Tyler Austin on the Braves. He’s a hometown boy and something about having guys like that on the team make a difference. NM, CC, BMac, Flowers, Swanson, JD (I believe). It’s just fun watching Braves fans be Braves. Austin would make a nice bench bat in my opinion. People forget he can catch also. Nice to have him back there as a 3rd option if needed
There’s usually a lot more minor leaguers declaring free agency. Any idea what the holdup is?
There’s always got to be the first few announced. They’re not going to dump 200 names in one post.
Hundreds have already declared. We generally don’t list every single minor leaguer and have always kept with guys who were on the 40-man roster simply because the volume of minor leaguers becoming free agents is so large. Austin and Boshers are notable, in this instance, since they ended the season on a 40-man roster and were only removed within the past couple of days.
We recently ran through some position players and pitchers of note as well (guys who appeared in MLB this season but didn’t finish on a 40-man):
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/10/position-players-recently-electing-free-agency.html (Position players)
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/10/pitchers-recently-electing-free-agency.html (Pitchers)
But we’ve never made a habit of listing out every minor leaguer who’s going to hit the market — particularly with regard to players who’ve never even made it to the Majors.
Is there a place to find all the names of said minor leaguers?
Baseball America will likely have their minor league FA database up later this week.
Steve,
You should do a piece on where you think the best 50 FA are going to land, and their expected contracts.
Our annual Top 50 rankings with contract predictions and destinations will run either today or tomorrow. Tim, Jeff, Connor and myself have been collaborating on it for the past couple of weeks.
Awesome. cant wait to read it
Sweet!! Can’t wait to read it! Chomping at the bits to read if
This off season will be worse than last years free agent period!!! Boras is the representative for Rendon, Strasburg, and Gerrit Cole. The Rendon won’t sign until the first of February. Strasburg and Cole won’t sign until July because Noras will want too much. Boras is only looking at the 30 million he can make off of those 3. He cares nothing about their careers at all!!! Just ask Kimbrell and Kuechel from last season.
All interested MLB teams in the top tier of the free agent market, will not sign any other 2nd tier free agent such as Moustakus, Bumgarner, and Kuechel until it’s getting close to Spring Training. When they give up on the top 3.
Today at 5:00 pm EST is when guys reaching MLFA because of minor league service time become free agents. The small list of names for MLFA are guys who could refuse an outright assignment coming off the 40-man roster.
Come on, these are just jabroni names. Give me some real players.
just because they are not big names does not mean they cant help a team win a WS. im sure Gerardo Parra was considered a no name trade by the Nats, and he turned out to be a huge asset for them
Free agents can sign today! Let the rumors begin.
Dear Red Sox,
Taking a chance in 2003 for Ortiz proved to be great impact for the organization. The Twins just released another player named Taylor. He is older however the potential is there like 2003.
Did Cole or Rendon sign yet? Come on, what’s the hold up??? You better get some news quick and speed this game up or I may just become a football or video game fan. – signed, a protected millennial
Funny.
Ha!!! That’s funny!!! Try big player movements not coming until after February 1st. Boras will hold up allowing his top free agents to sign until February in hopes of drinking their market value up between more than one competitive Team hoping for the big brass ring!!!!
Boshers is a lefty that’s still breathing, so he will find a job somewhere. With Tim Mayza on the shelf for the season, however, The Jays don’t have a single lefty that’s certain to make the bullpen.