Now that the season is over, we’ll start seeing several players choose to become minor league free agents. Major League free agents (i.e. players with six-plus years of big league service time) will hit the open market five days after the end of the World Series, but eligible minor leaguers can already start electing free agency.
To qualify, these players must have been all outrighted off their team’s 40-man rosters during the 2025 season without being added back. These players also must have multiple career outrights on their resume, and/or at least three years of Major League service time.
We’ll offer periodic updates over the coming weeks about many other players hitting the market in this fashion. Unless otherwise credited, these free agent decisions are all listed on the official MLB.com or MILB.com transactions pages, for further reference.
Catchers
- Eric Haase (Brewers)
- Chad Wallach (Angels)
Outfielders
- Akil Baddoo (Tigers)
- Dominic Fletcher (White Sox) (per Scott Merkin of MLB.com)
- Corey Julks (White Sox) (per Merkin)
Pitchers
- Carl Edwards Jr. (Rangers)
- Trevor Richards (Diamondbacks)
- Keegan Thompson (Cubs)
- Randy Wynne (Reds)
Photo courtesy of Jonathan Hui, Imagn Images
I hope Baddoo gets a chance with a rebuilding team. He is a fun energy guy off the bench. Probably not going to have a role on a contender but would be a fun player to watch on a rebuild.
He had a chance with a rebuilding team. They were rebuilding when he had his chance
I like Yabba Dabba Badoo but he’s a AAAA guy not a MLB player
There were times where he could have signed elsewhere, yet he came back to the Tigers after no one else wanted him. If he’s smart, he heads to Japan… there he’d have a shot at becoming the next Tuffy Rhodes.
Fun energy guy off the bench? Maybe fun but he sure can’t hit. Check out his BA and stats over the last 4 years. Hopefully he finally leaves the Tigers organization.
Solid in AAA, bad in MLB.
Yes a fun high energy player. Not a good hitter or really all that great a fielder but he was fun to watch during the rebuild. Heck he would be one of the best outfielders on the White Sox or Rockies. He wouldn’t win them many games but sometimes you need fun players when you suck lol.
God forbid someone makes a positive comment about a player they enjoy watching and want to wish good fortune to.
Adieu Baddoo.
Ce jr should open his own
Ce as a restaurant
I never heard of half these guys and the other half are way past their prime!
My Dad says the same about most Major League Rosters.He has never heard of any but the stars.He only knows them because they are talked about the most.I said just follow the teams closer.
“This guy here is dead…”
“CROSS HIM OFF, then”
Every single time I watch Major League I replay that scene at least several times! 🤣
Most if these guys never had a prime!
Tomás Nido as well.
Say hello to Erikah
The Cubs lost faith in Keegan Thompson a couple of years ago. They probably were right to, but at a couple of points it seemed like he was resetting himself, but they chose to bury him at Iowa. He is not a kid anymore. It will be interesting to see if any other team gives him a chance.
Ross wore him out one year and he was exceptional. Then he got injured and never seemed to make it back. Just when it looked like at times he was back he’d get injured again. Cubs have given him every shot to come back but it just never happened. Somebody will take him on as a project at the very least. Good luck to you Keegan. You deserve a break.
He’s 30 and hardly pitched. 2022 Thompson was a viable major leaguer. Then injuries and roster shuffle. He’s only pitched 227 innings in his professional career..
People leaving the brewers already
Angel’s rumors free agency so we’re supposed to believe the Angels are going to reload? With what Arte Moreno squeaks when he walks Let’s be real: after 10 losing seasons, the only thing hotter than our playoff hopes is the temperature in the training facility… because apparently, there’s no air conditioning. Just ask Kikuchi.
This isn’t just about roster turnover it’s about credibility. Who wants to sign with a franchise that’s been spinning its wheels while the rest of the league builds dynasties? We’re trying to drink champagne on a beer budget, and the cork’s been missing since 2015.
Free agents don’t just want money yes money is important they want vision, leadership, and a shot at October. Right now, the Angels are offering none of the above. Until ownership steps up, upgrades the infrastructure, and commits to a winning culture, we’re not attracting talent we’re repelling it.
Arte do the right thing Sell the team
Beer budget? They aren’t adding sugar to the Kool-Aid at this point.
I’ll take Haase on a AAA team.
Tigers: ENOUGH WITH BADDOO ALREADY!!
Tim Mead the former head of communications for the Los Angeles Angels admitted under oath that he searched the desk of his employee Eric Kay three separate times, looking for illicit drugs or paraphernalia during Kay’s final years with the team. This revelation came during the first day of testimony in the wrongful death civil suit filed by the family of pitcher Tyler Skaggs, who died of a fentanyl overdose in 2019 A.
Kay, who was convicted in federal court in 2022 for supplying Skaggs with the fatal pill, is currently serving a 22-year prison sentence. But the civil trial now shifts focus from individual culpability to institutional negligence. Mead’s testimony paints a troubling picture: a senior executive suspected drug activity yet failed to report it or take decisive action. According to the plaintiffs, this wasn’t just a lapse it was a pattern of enabling behavior that violated team policy and may have contributed to Skaggs’ death
Who Knew What and When?
The lawsuit alleges that multiple individuals within the Angels organization either knew or should have known about drug use among players and staff. Mead acknowledged Kay’s erratic behavior, his hospitalization, and rehab stint—but claimed he was trying to help, not enable. Still, the question looms: if the front office had suspicions strong enough to warrant desk searches, why wasn’t there a formal investigation or intervention?
This isn’t just about one rogue employee. It’s about a culture of silence and a failure of oversight.
Could the Angels Be Held Liable?
If the Skaggs family prevails, the Angels could face significant financial damages and reputational fallout. The case hinges on whether the organization exercised reasonable supervision and whether it ignored red flags that could have prevented a tragedy. Legal experts say the testimony so far suggests a breakdown in internal accountability that could expose the team to civil liability.
Arte Moreno’s Legacy on the Line
Arte Moreno, who has owned the Angels since 2003, is already under fire for a decade of losing seasons, failed free-agent signings, and a crumbling stadium infrastructure. Now, with the Skaggs case dragging the franchise into deeper controversy, fans and insiders are once again asking: will Moreno finally sell?
He previously pulled the team off the market in 2023, citing “unfinished business.” But with mounting pressure—from both legal scrutiny Moreno himself has said he’d consider selling if “someone makes some stupid, crazy offer” With the Angels finishing 72–90 this season and facing a potential civil judgment, any offer might not seem so stupid anymore.
Step right up, folks!
Arte Moreno’s Big Top is back in town, and the main attraction is ?
that’s right folks you guessed it! managers
The manager search that feels more like Ringling Brothers than Major League Baseball team.
Albert Pujols may be the crowd favorite to take the reins, but the Angels aren’t done juggling. Torii Hunter and Kurt Suzuki fellow special assistants to GM Perry Minasian are also in the ring. And just when you think the act is over, here come the flying candidates: Nick Hundley (Rangers), Ryan Flaherty (Cubs), Brandon Hyde (ex-Orioles), and Rocco Baldelli (ex-Twins).
It’s a revolving door of résumés and nostalgia, but will Moreno finally stick the landing or just keep tossing hats into the ring? Stay tuned. The circus isn’t leaving Anaheim anytime soon.
Tickets are available at this special event
w.w.w sale the team.com
Baddoo seems like he was more suited to have been a football RB or CB.