We’ve seen dozens of players elect minor league free agency over the past couple weeks, and that has continued to be the case in recent days. We’ll round up a few more players who are hitting the open market here, courtesy of the Triple-A transactions trackers.
Players can qualify for minor league free agency in a few ways. The most notable of these include: players with 3+ years of MLB service time who have been outrighted off their teams’ 40-man rosters this season, players who have been outrighted off a 40-man roster multiple times in their careers, and unsigned players not on a 40-man roster who have spent parts of at least seven seasons on a minor league roster or injured list.
Each of this group of players has hit the market within the past week and not yet been covered at MLBTR:
- Shawn Armstrong (Rays)
- Jorge Bonifacio (Phillies)
- Mike Freeman (Reds)
- Edgar García (Twins)
- Chi Chi González (Rockies)
- Erik González (Pirates)
- Brody Koerner (Yankees)
- Brady Lail (Phillies)
- Ryan LaMarre (Yankees)
- Alex McRae (White Sox)
- Keury Mella (Pirates)
- Keynan Middleton (Mariners)
- Tommy Milone (Reds)
- Bryan Mitchell (Marlins)
- José Mujica (Rockies)
- Renato Núñez (Brewers)
- JT Riddle (Twins)
- Burch Smith (A’s)
- Mike Tauchman (Giants)
- Beau Taylor (Reds)
- Mike Wright (White Sox)
- Jimmy Yacabonis (Mariners)
just to clarify, last year did count as a year towards MiLB FA, right?
So, I haven’t seen any formal reporting about this for this year and beyond. But it did count for last season’s group of free agents, as J.J. Cooper at BA reported at the time (https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2020-milb-free-agents-eligible-for-free-agency-this-fall/).
I don’t see any reason why that wouldn’t be the case for all classes, since it really behooves no one to just skip an entire year of first-time minor league free agents this winter.
that’s what I was imagining was the case, but just didn’t want to assume.
could of put positions…
Yes last season was counted as a minor league season towards minor league free agency despite no season https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2020-milb-free-agents-eligible-for-free-agency-this-fall/?amphtml
JJ confirmed with me that it also counted as a year toward Rule 5 eligibility as well.
Dodgers lost a pitcher, Brett De geus to the rule 5 this year. He was hurt after they drafted him 17 and missed the his first season, rehabbed through his second and managed to pitch the second half. Spent the third season in the bullpen and lost out on his fourth season due to covid. So the Dodgers only got to see 1 1/2 season of development. That lost milb season meant a lot of players who never should of got the call, well did, and guys like De geus don’t really get the proper season to get a look. He pitched 47 innings on two teams this year, with an 7.57 Era
Looks like a better set of names are available
There is not one player there I’d want on my team……and my team is one of the worst in baseball. All AAAA players.
I’d take a shot with Armstrong or Tauchmann on a minor league deal. But the point is that these guys are minor league free agents for a reason.
I’d also take a shot at Renato Nunez. Provided some pop for the Orioles in 2019-2020. I’m shocked he didn’t get a shot in 2021 by no team.
I seen Armstrong pitch, if I was Boston I’d sign him and release Austin Davis….
Nunez might still figure it out, if I was running a rebuilding team I’d be fine letting him get some regular DH atbats to see if he could be a late bloomer. He is young enough and his 2019-2020 numbers aren’t terrible.
Not the Bonus Yac!
Is there a difference between the players becoming free agents in early October vs the bigger group that elects free agency in early November?
The ones in November are major league free agents, and had 6-7+ years of major league service time. These players are minor league free agents, and most of them either had enough service time and didn’t end the year on a 40-man roster, or they were recently outrighted off a team’s 40-man roster.
Time to dumpster dive
None of ’em!
Chi Chi Gonzalez could be interesting. No doubt his numbers suffered from pitching at Coors. A team could do worse than having him as a #5 starter.
If Key Middleton could ever stay health, he’s closer material.
The Orioles should give Chi a shot.