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Nicky Lopez, Sammy Peralta Elect Free Agency

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The White Sox announced that both infielder Nicky Lopez and left-hander Sammy Peralta cleared waivers and elected free agency in lieu of accepting outright assignments. The club’s 40-man roster count drops to 36.

There wasn’t any previous indication that either player had been removed from the roster, but it’s a common time of year for a bit of shuffling. The Rule 5 protection deadline is coming up on November 19, meaning that all clubs are likely going to be needing a few spots to shield young players from that draft. As that deadline date approaches, roster spots around the league will be at a premium, increasing the chances of a player being nudged off and then passing through waivers unclaimed.

Lopez, 30 in March, has a decent track record now as a glove-first utility player. He was acquired by the White Sox as part of the November 2023 trade that sent Aaron Bummer to Atlanta, then went on to appear in 124 games for Chicago this year. He hit just one home run in 445 plate appearances, leading to a pyramid-shaped slash line of .241/.312/.294. That production translated to a 77 wRC+, indicating he was 23% worse than league average at the plate.

That season brought his career batting line to .248/.312/.314, which equates to a 73 wRC+. Lopez has been able to bounce around the field, playing all four infield spots and even a small amount in the outfield, stealing some bases here and there as well. But the bat is clearly subpar, with seven career homers in 2,346 trips to the plate.

The Sox could have retained him for one more season via arbitration, with MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projecting him for a salary of $5.1MM, but it seems the Sox weren’t planning to do that. Lopez has more than enough service time to reject an outright assignment, so he’ll head to the open market. He’ll likely garner interest from clubs interested in a depth infielder, either on a minor league deal or a major league pact with a modest guarantee.

Peralta, 27 in May, was first selected to Chicago’s roster in May of 2023, but he’s been on and off since then. He was designated for assignment in March of this year, went to the Mariners via waivers, but then came back to the Sox via another waiver claim in May. Shortly after coming back to the Sox, he was put back on waivers and cleared, getting outrighted to Triple-A. He was selected back to the 40-man in June but has now been outrighted for a second time.

Around those transactions, he has thrown 35 big league innings with a 4.37 earned run average, 17.9% strikeout rate and 11.1% walk rate. His Triple-A track record consists of 125 2/3 innings over the past three years. He has a 4.80 ERA at that level, along with a 24.1% strikeout rate and 8.8% walk rate.

Since this is his second career outright, he has the right to elect free agency and has done so. He will market himself to other clubs around the league and will likely be looking at minor league offers.

KBO’s Kia Tigers To Sign Adam Oller

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Right-hander Adam Oller has agreed to terms with the Kia Tigers of the Korea Baseball Organization, reports Ari Alexander of Houston’s KPRC-2. It’ll be the Gaeta Sports Management client’s first stint overseas, and he’ll join the reigning KBO champs.

Oller, 30, has pitched in each of the past three big league seasons. Originally a 2016 draftee of the Pirates, he wound up out of affiliated ball by 2019 but parlayed stints in the independent Frontier League (2019) and in the Australian Baseball League (2020-21) into a minor league opportunity with the Mets. He made the most of that, pitching his way into prospect status with an outstanding age-26 season split between Double-A and Triple-A. The A’s were intrigued enough to acquire Oller and fellow righty J.T. Ginn as their return from the Mets in the trade sending Chris Bassitt to Queens.

Things didn’t work out for Oller in Oakland, however. He was in the majors early during his first season with the organization but hit hard in both 2022 and 2023, yielding a combined 7.09 ERA in 94 frames. The A’s tried to pass him through waivers in July of ’23, but the Mariners claimed him and optioned him to Triple-A Tacoma. He’d spend the remainder of the season with Seattle’s top affiliate, eventually clearing waivers and electing free agency after being dropped from the roster in October.

Oller caught on with the Guardians and Marlins on minor league deals in the year that followed, the latter of whom selected him to the majors this past July. He pitched another 42 1/3 MLB frames across eight starts but was tagged for a 5.31 ERA. Oller did have a handful of nice outings in Miami, but it was an up-and-down tenure with more lows than highs. He was passed through waivers again at the beginning of this month, elected free agency and will quickly find a new opportunity overseas.

Despite his lack of MLB success, there’s reason to think Oller could fare well in the KBO. He posted sharp numbers in Triple-A in 2021-22, struggled through a disastrous season with the Athletics’ Triple-A Vegas club in 2023, and then again pitched to a 2.88 ERA with the Marlins’ top affiliate this past season. His 6.22 Triple-A ERA in 2023 skews his career-long mark to 5.01, but he’s typically been a solid arm at the top minor league level. Oller averages 93.7 mph on his four-seamer, complementing the pitch with a curveball and lesser-used changeup.

It’s at least feasible that Oller could spin one strong KBO season into a big league return, though success overseas can also open further opportunities in Asia. It’s common for players who thrive in the KBO to re-sign for a pay raise in their second season or perhaps to draw interest from teams in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. However it plays out, the earning power for Oller overseas is surely greater than it would be on a minor league deal in North America, and for a pitcher who’s already turned 30 and is still not into arbitration, that’s a compelling selling point.

A’s, Alejo Lopez Agree To Minor League Deal

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The Athletics have agreed to terms with infielder Alejo Lopez on a minor league contract, Lopez himself announced on Instagram. The former Reds infielder will presumably head to spring training as a non-roster invitee.

Lopez, 28, has spent parts of three seasons in the big leagues, all coming with Cincinnati. He’s a .265/.309/.329 hitter in 181 major league plate appearances, showing little power but an excellent feel for contact. Lopez has fanned in only 14.9% of those trips to the plate (against a lackluster 5% walk rate) and has consistently posted even lower strikeout rates in the upper minors. In parts of four Triple-A campaigns, he’s a .294/.387/.407 hitter with nearly as many walks (11.7%) as strikeouts (12.1%) in just over 1500 plate appearances.

Defensively, Lopez has played all over the diamond, though the vast majority of his time has been split between second base (3260 innings) and third base (2023 innings). He’s logged 653 innings at shortstop and a combined 715 frames between the two outfield corners.

The A’s don’t have a set third baseman and could have multiple bench spots up for grabs in spring training, depending on how their offseason plays out. The switch-hitting Lopez will give them some depth all over the infield and could nab a reserve role if he shows well in camp. He’s coming off a nice year with the Braves’ Triple-A affiliate, wherein he slashed .307/.392/.397 with four homers, 21 doubles, a pair of triples and 21 stolen bases in 112 games (473 plate appearances).

Braves, Enoli Paredes Agree To Minor League Deal

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The Braves are in agreement with reliever Enoli Paredes on a minor league contract, reports Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 (X link). Paredes will get a non-roster invite to major league camp.

It was a short free agent stay for the 29-year-old righty. The Cubs sent him through outright waivers last week. He elected free agency at that point but apparently emerged as a priority depth target for the Atlanta front office. Paredes posted strong numbers in a limited sample with the Brewers and Cubs this year.

In 21 2/3 innings between the two teams, he combined for a 1.66 earned run average. Discouraging peripherals led teams to pass on claiming him off waivers last week. Paredes only managed an 18.4% strikeout rate and walked more than 11% of opponents. Throwing strikes has always been an issue. Paredes posted double digit walk rates as a member of the Astros between 2020-22.

While he hasn’t missed many bats at the big league level, Paredes posted monster strikeout numbers with Milwaukee’s Triple-A team. He fanned nearly 40% of hitters en route to a 1.73 ERA over 26 innings at the top minor league level. He sits in the 94-95 MPH range with his fastball and features a mid-80s slider as his secondary pitch.

Paredes is out of options. If he pitches his way to an MLB job in Atlanta, the Braves would need to keep him on the roster or send him back into DFA limbo. They have a solid high-leverage core but a few spots up for grabs in the middle innings. A.J. Minter hit free agency while Joe Jiménez underwent knee surgery that might cost him the entire season.

Braves Acquire Nick Allen

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The Braves added infield depth on Monday night, acquiring shortstop Nick Allen from the Athletics. Atlanta sent minor league reliever Jared Johnson back in a one-for-one swap. The acquisition pushes Atlanta’s 40-man roster count to 38.

Allen has exhausted his option seasons, which likely motivated this move. Going forward, he needs to either be on an active roster or else removed from the 40-man entirely. All teams are going to be soon facing roster crunches, as the Rule 5 protection deadline is just over a week away.

As a prospect, Allen got plenty of attention for his glovework. The question was whether or not he would hit. He certainly hasn’t produced with the bat at the major league level thus far, as he currently sports a line of .209/.254/.283 in his 760 plate appearances. He has received strong reviews for his shortstop defense, also spending some time at second and third base, but that offensive production translates to a wRC+ of just 53.

The results in the minors have been far more encouraging. Over the past two years, Allen has stepped to the plate 541 times at the Triple-A level, turning in a .341/.428/.503 batting line. The former third-round pick doesn’t need to hit much to be a viable utility option given the strength of his glove. His Triple-A numbers are surely inflated by the hitter-friendly nature of the Pacific Coast League, but they offer hope that there’s a little more potential with the bat than he’s shown in the majors.

Allen has bottom-of-the-scale power. Even his big production in the minors has come with just 12 home runs in nearly 200 games. He has solid bat-to-ball skills, making contact at a higher than average rate in both Triple-A and the majors. Allen walked more often than he struck out this year in Triple-A. The Braves have acquired similar players, Nicky Lopez and David Fletcher, in recent seasons. Neither spent much time on the MLB roster.

The 26-year-old Allen could have a better opportunity to stick around. Orlando Arcia had a dreadful offensive year in his own right, hitting .218/.271/.354 across 602 plate appearances. That’s still better than what Allen has shown in his major league career, but Arcia’s hold on the position probably isn’t strong. Atlanta should remain in the market for clearer upgrades.

From an A’s perspective, they’re moving on from a player who once ranked among the better position player talents in the system. That’s disappointing but not surprising given Allen’s lackluster production to date. They’re hopeful that Jacob Wilson is the long-term answer at shortstop, while Darell Hernaiz had also surpassed Allen on the infield depth chart.

Johnson, 23, spent this past season in High-A. He had a nice year in the later innings, turning in a 2.60 ERA across 52 frames. The former 14th-round pick fanned 26.4% of opponents but walked nearly 12% of batters faced. He’s a lottery ticket bullpen piece who will be eligible for the Rule 5 draft unless the A’s add him to their 40-man roster next week.

Image courtesy of Imagn.

Blue Jays Release Emmanuel Ramirez

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The Blue Jays released reliever Emmanuel Ramirez, according to the MLB.com transaction log. Toronto had designated the right-hander for assignment on Tuesday when they claimed Michael Petersen off waivers from Miami.

Ramirez is also a former waiver claim from the Marlins. Toronto grabbed the 30-year-old from the Fish in early September. They optioned him to Triple-A and kept him there for the remainder of the season. Ramirez did not throw a pitch for the Jays. His major league experience consists of 15 appearances with Miami earlier in the year. He tossed 20 2/3 innings with an earned run average approaching 7.00.

Things went a bit smoother in Triple-A. Ramirez combined for a 4.20 ERA across 45 frames between the two organizations. He punched out nearly 30% of batters faced against a manageable 9% walk rate. Ramirez flashed a three-pitch mix in his limited MLB look. He leaned most heavily on a 94 MPH fastball and a mid-80s splitter that generated a lot of whiffs. He’ll likely land a minor league contract somewhere.

Yankees Sign Brandon Leibrandt To Minors Deal

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The Yankees signed Brandon Leibrandt to a minor league contract, according to the left-hander’s profile page at MLB.com.  The Reds designated Leibrandt for assignment and outrighted him off their 40-man roster at the end of October, upon which Leibrandt opted to become a minor league free agent.

A sixth-round pick for the Phillies back in the 2014 draft, Leibrandt made his MLB debut in the form of nine innings and five appearances with the Marlins in 2020.  That cup of coffee marked his last trip to the Show until this past season, when Leibrandt tossed 6 1/3 innings over two appearances with Cincinnati.

In between those two big league stints, Leibrandt pitched in the minors with the Marlins and Cubs, and he spent the entire 2023 campaign and the start of the 2024 season outside of affiliated baseball, pitching with the Atlantic League’s High Point Rockers.  Leibrandt had a 2.70 ERA over 80 innings with the Rockers, which was enough for the Reds to give him a look on a minor league deal last May.

Leibrandt is turning 32 in December, so he’d be a late bloomer if he can unlock something at this stage of his career and catch on as a reliable big league pitcher.  However, the Yankees have had a solid recent track record at getting results out of unheralded pitchers, and Leibrandt’s seven percent career walk rate in the minors is a hint that he might possess MLB-caliber control.  There’s no risk for the Yankees in bringing Leibrandt to Spring Training and seeing what he can offer as a southpaw depth arm for the bullpen.

Reds Sign Alex Jackson To Minor League Contract

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The Reds signed catcher Alex Jackson to a minors deal, as per Jackson’s MLB.com profile page.  While not specified, the contract presumably includes an invitation for Jackson to attend Cincinnati’s big league spring camp.  Jackson chose to become a minor league free agent last month after he was outrighted off the Rays’ 40-man roster in September.

A veteran of five Major League seasons, Jackson’s 58 games and 155 plate appearances last year represented a new career high for the backstop, though he did very little with the opportunity.  Jackson hit only .122/.201/.237 over those 155 PA, with his 29 wRC+ was a whopping 71 percent below the league-average 100 wRC+ threshold.  These numbers essentially matched Jackson’s career .132/.224/.232 slash line in 340 PA with the Rays, Brewers, Marlins, and Braves.

It has been something of an unexpected career arc for Jackson, whose was seen as something of a hit-first catcher when the Mariners selected him sixth overall in the 2014 draft.  Jackson instead morphed into a quality defensive backstop who has simply been unable to hit big league pitching.  The Rays were content enough with Jackson’s defense to give him semi-regular playing time in 2024, but finally moved on by removing him from their 40-man roster in September.

Cincinnati declined its club option on Luke Maile and Austin Wynns became a minor league free agency after the season, leaving the Reds in sore need for a backup catcher to spell starter Tyler Stephenson.  Jackson and Stephenson are the only catchers in the organization with any MLB experience, and it is likely the Reds will bring in one or two more catchers to compete with Jackson in Spring Training.

Tigers Sign Bligh Madris To Minors Contract

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The Tigers signed first baseman/outfielder Bligh Madris to a new minor league contract, according to Madris’ MLB.com profile page.  Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports that the deal includes an invitation to the Tigers’ big league Spring Training camp, and Madris will earn $800K in guaranteed salary if he makes Detroit’s active roster at any point next season.

Madris returns for his second consecutive season in the Tigers organization, and third stint overall in Motown.  Initially claimed off the Astros’ waiver wire in November 2022, Madris was traded back to Houston a couple of months later.  He spent the 2023 season with Triple-A Round Rock and made 12 big-league appearances with the Astros before rejoining the Tigers on another minors deal almost exactly a year ago.

His first proper stay in Detroit saw Madris appear in 21 games at the MLB level, hitting .269/.324/.358 over 75 plate appearances.  This playing time came while Spencer Torkelson was figuring things out in Triple-A, as Madris ended up playing almost every day at first base after Gio Urshela and Mark Canha were both traded at the deadline, and before Torkelson was recalled in mid-August.

Madris has a .204/.273/.286 slash line over his 228 career PA in the majors, compiled with the Pirates, Astros, and Tigers over the last three seasons.  His Triple-A numbers (.254/.346/.447 in 1603 PA) are much more solid, and the Tigers obviously seem to value Madris as a depth piece within their farm system.  Madris has a minor league option remaining so he might again be spending most of 2025 in Toledo, and anything more than spot duty on the active roster could be difficult to achieve, since Detroit is if anything overloaded with left-handed hitters.

Athletics Re-Sign T.J. McFarland

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Novemeber 8: McFarland is guaranteed a $1.8MM base salary, The Associated Press reports. The deal comes with another $250K in bonuses based on appearances. McFarland would unlock $50K in his 50th game and would receive another $100K apiece at 60 and 70 appearances.

November 7: The A’s are bringing left-handed reliever T.J. McFarland back ahead of their expected move to West Sacramento next year. The team announced Thursday they’ve agreed to terms with the free agent southpaw on a one-year deal for the 2025 season. McFarland is represented by Octagon.

McFarland, 35, spent the 2024 season in the A’s bullpen and was a reliable source of quality innings. He appeared in nearly half the team’s games (79) and pitched to a 3.81 ERA with a below-average 16.6% strikeout rate but strong walk and ground-ball rates of 7.2% and 57.3%, respectively. McFarland stymied left-handed opponents with a .234/.267/.324 batting line, though righties had an easier time with him, slashing .273/.364/.414 on the season.

This will be McFarland’s 13th season in the majors, and assuming he sticks on the roster for at least 122 days, he’ll reach the coveted 10 years of major league service time over the course of the 2025 campaign. The sinker-heavy southpaw carries a lifetime 4.10 ERA in the majors and has never been adept at missing bats (13.9% career strikeout rate, and career-high 18.2% mark in 2023). However, he’s one of the game’s premier ground-ball specialists (career 61.7%, and career-high 67.9% back in 2018) and has only thrice logged a worse-than-average walk rate in his lengthy career.

Somewhat incredibly, McFarland will become the only player on the A’s roster who has a guaranteed salary for the upcoming season. The rest of the roster includes four arbitration-eligible players — Brent Rooker, Seth Brown, Miguel Andujar and Dany Jimenez — but the rest of the players on the team’s 40-man roster have not yet even reached arbitration and thus do not have a salary locked in for next year. The A’s are widely expected to spend some money this offseason, be it via free agency or by acquiring players on guaranteed deals via the trade market, as they’ll need to spend a fair bit of cash in order to retain their status as a revenue-sharing recipient.

McFarland returns to a bullpen that lacks any real definition beyond star closer Mason Miller. Righty Tyler Ferguson posted nice numbers but did so as a 30-year-old rookie, making him something of a wild card. Hard-throwing righty Michel Otanez notched a 3.44 ERA and fanned 36.4% of his opponents in 34 innings … but also walked 13.2% of the hitters he faced. Twenty-seven-year-old Lefty Hogan Harris turned in a sub-3.00 ERA in 72 1/3 innings but had sub-par strikeout, walk and ground-ball rates (in addition to a disastrous 7.14 ERA in a comparable sample of innings in 2023).

Given the lack of defined roles beyond Miller, it’s likely the A’s will have multiple additions on the bullpen front. For now, McFarland looks like a candidate to work in some leverage spots against lefties who won’t be lifted for a pinch-hitter by the opposing manager. That said, A’s skipper Mark Kotsay typically used McFarland in low- and medium-leverage spots in 2025, so he’s not necessarily someone the team will throw right into full-on setup work.

The A’s could have some troubles drawing free agents to the team as they gear up to host home games in a Triple-A park for the next several seasons (assuming financing on their planned Las Vegas stadium is eventually finalized). But McFarland knows the team and the staff well, and for the well-traveled lefty, this new one-year deal offers him the opportunity to pitch consecutive seasons for the same team for just the second time in a span of seven seasons.

There’s obvious appeal in continuity for a pitcher who’s also spent time with the D-backs, A’s, Cardinals and Mets (plus a spring training with the Nationals) since 2019. It’s also just the second guaranteed deal he’s signed in what’s now five times through the free-agent process, so jumping early at a big league opportunity is both sensible and makes for a more relaxed offseason than the veteran southpaw is typically accustomed.

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