Left-hander Matt Moore elected free agency on Thursday, according to his player page on MLB.com. He was designated for assignment on October 1.
Moore is coming off a second consecutive solid season out of the bullpen, in which he posted a 2.56 ERA in 50 appearances for the Angels, Guardians, and Marlins. While Miami surely could have used him in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, he was ineligible for the postseason roster because he joined the team after the September 1 deadline. Thus, he was DFA’d in spite of his strong numbers.
The veteran southpaw spent the first five months of the season pitching for the Angels, with whom he signed a one-year, $7.55MM contract in February. He was arguably the club’s most effective reliever, leading the team in ERA when he was placed on waivers at the end of August. Nevertheless, with Los Angeles out of the playoff race, the front office did whatever it could to shed payroll and get below the base threshold for the competitive balance tax. That meant parting ways with several veterans on expiring contracts.
Moore was claimed by the Guardians, but less than three weeks later, the Guardians, too, fell out of contention. He was placed back on waivers and claimed by the Marlins, who were looking for any edge they could get in the close NL Wild Card race. The lefty did his job, pitching four scoreless innings in four Miami victories. He even collected the win on September 27, as the Marlins took hold of the third Wild Card spot.
The former All-Star starting pitcher will turn 35 next year, but having reinvented himself as a high-leverage reliever over the past two seasons, he should have no trouble finding a new major league deal this winter. In fact, with the exception of Josh Hader and Aroldis Chapman, he might be the most sought-after lefty reliever on the free agent market.
Isn’t this post inconsequential news? He will be a free agent anyways after the playoffs. Since the regular season is over, how is this different from him waiting to hit free agency in a month?
I could be wrong but can’t those already free agents start to negotiate or is there a freeze? He might be a better value than the dominant but inconsistent Chapman (as I’m typing, I’m asking myself can a pitcher be both dominant and inconsistent?).
I’m not sure he can sign in the postseason or that it would make sense now.
You cannot sign a new major league contract for 2024 until the free agency period begins. He could sign a minor league deal.
To the OP—
I think it is simply alering us that it happened nothing more. It was kind of a given that he would elect free agency.
FYI—
The Free Agency period begins 5 days after the World Series ends
Thanks all
2023 Contracts end when the World Series ends. Remember Gerrit Cole removing his Houston Astros hat, just moments after the WS ended, to Don a “Boras Corp” hat?
Was just about to reference this moment with Cole thank you!
Cubs need to kick the tires on this guy.
Would be the perfect lefty compliment to Chris Martin in Boston.
He’s going to get plenty of offers that’s for sure. I just hope Hoyer at least makes an offer.
across… I think Hoyer understands how under manned that BP was by the end of the year (He said as much), and will put more focus on it this offseason.
I couldn’t agree more, Dewey! Give him the same 2 year deal they gave Martin last year 2/$18M? That should secure his services. It would be nice to tack on another year to Martin’s contract as well.
Seattle offered only 2yrs $13MM.
cdouglas24000
October 6, 2023
Ring, ring . Mariners on line 1. They should be all over Moore on a 2 year 13 mil deal.
So, I guess Boston wins
Cora disagrees. His name isn’t “Hernandez” or “Espinosa”.
Makes sense. He’s at the top of his game. Time to cash in and make the big bucks.
A third stint with Texas would make sense.
Should be a good offseason to be Matt Moore. No shortage of suitors for a late innings LHP.
Teams claim players all the time…can he be claimed with the hopes of signing him to an extension..while paying the rest of this years salary?
The waivers claim period is over. He’s also not being paid anymore with the regular season over and will be officially a FA after the WS ends.
Makes sense, thanks
Where are my comments going?
Is that a trick question?
In one ear…out the other.
Honestly thought he would be one of the best SP in baseball for years after watching him when he first got called up. His start against TEX in the postseason (which was like his 3rd MLB game ever) was electric. Big cajones for that one.
Moore was claimed by the Guardians, but less than three weeks later, the Guardians, too, fell out of contention.
I think you mean the Guardians also fell out of contention.
Cry about it
You’re misunderstanding. He’s commenting on the bad grammar.
Ring, ring . Mariners on line 1. They should be all over Moore on a 2 year 13 mil deal. They need a lefty and a 7th inning stud bad in That bullpen.
Boston has you beat. They already offered 2yrs $18 big boy bills—
“ I couldn’t agree more, Dewey! Give him the same 2 year deal they gave Martin last year 2/$18M? That should secure his services.”
Ring ring? Line 1? Ummm this is 2023. Agents and GM call each other’s Cell Phone. MLB teams no longer have a Operators named Agnes manning the PBX board. This is not TV Land