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Mets, Jose Rojas Agree To Minor League Deal

By Steve Adams | November 10, 2025 at 10:30am CDT

The Mets agreed to a minor league deal with infielder/outfielder Jose Rojas, reports Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. The Gaeta Sports client will be invited to major league camp this spring and would be paid $820K if he makes the roster.

Rojas, 32, hasn’t appeared in the majors since 2022 but is coming off a monster 2025 season with the Yankees’ Triple-A club. The lefty-swinging slugger popped 32 home runs last year, tops in the Triple-A International League, and slashed .287/.379/.599 overall (153 wRC+). Since his last MLB appearance with the ’22 Angels, he’s spent a year in the Korea Baseball Organization (.253/.345/.474 with the Doosan Bears) and bounced between the Triple-A affiliates for the Pirates and Yankees.

All of Rojas’ big league experience has come with the Angels. He’s struggled considerably, hitting just .188/.245/.339 with a 28.6% strikeout rate — albeit in a relatively small sample of 241 plate appearances. He’s consistently torched Triple-A pitching in a much larger sample of 2050 plate appearances.

Defensively, Rojas is experienced at all four corner positions and, to a lesser extent, second base (865 innings). He played the outfield exclusively during his 2023 season in the KBO and has primarily played the infield and outfield corners since returning to North American ball. He’ll vie for a bench spot in camp and give the Mets some thump to stash in Triple-A if he doesn’t make the roster. Rojas also has a minor league option remaining, so if he’s selected to the 40-man at any point he can be shuttled between Syracuse and Queens without needing to be exposed to waivers.

Tatsuya Imai To Be Posted For MLB Teams This Offseason

By Mark Polishuk | November 9, 2025 at 10:02pm CDT

The Saitama Seibu Lions announced (Japanese language link) on their official team website that they have accepted Tatsuya Imai’s request to be posted to Major League teams. Once Imai is officially posted, he’ll have 45 days to work out a contract with a big league team, or else he’ll return to the Lions for the 2026 Nippon Professional Baseball season.

It has been over two months since reports first surfaced about the likelihood of Imai’s availability this winter, and today’s news officially confirms the three-time NPB All-Star as one of the most intriguing arms of the 2025-26 free agent class. Imai has a 3.15 ERA over 963 2/3 career innings with the Lions, with a 22.31% strikeout rate and a 11.52% walk rate. While that career walk rate is on the high side, Imai has reduced that number in each of his last four seasons, and he had a very solid 7.02% walk rate over 163 2/3 innings in 2025.

Imai is only 27, and doesn’t turn 28 until May. Between his age and an intriguing four-pitch arsenal (headlined by a fastball in the 95-99mph range and a plus slider), there’s a lot to like in terms of how Imai’s success in NPB might translate against Major League hitters. This upside led MLBTR to place Imai seventh on our list of the offseason’s top 50 free agents, and we’re predicting a six-year, $150MM deal even though some evaluators feel Imai projects as a back-end starter or even as a reliever in the majors.

Imai qualifies for full free agency next offseason, so the Lions may feel that they can at least earn some money back via a posting fee by letting Imai go now rather than 12 months from now. As per the terms of the MLB-NPB posting system, any Major League team that reaches an agreement with Imai will owe the Lions a staggered fee depending on the size of the deal, and on any future earnings (i.e. options, bonuses, etc.) attached to that initial contract.

The Lions will get 20% of the contract’s first $25MM, 17.5% of the contract’s next $25MM, and 15% of any money above the $50MM mark. So if Imai were to sign a deal matching MLBTR’s $150MM projection, his new team would owe the Lions a $24.375MM posting fee on top of Imai’s $150MM salary.

Christian Roa Elects Free Agency

By AJ Eustace | November 9, 2025 at 9:59am CDT

Right-hander Christian Roa has elected free agency, according to the transaction log at MLB.com. The Marlins recently outrighted Roa to Triple-A Jacksonville. As a player who has been outrighted before, he had the right to elect free agency rather than accept the assignment.

Roa, 26, was a second-round draft pick by the Reds in 2020 and remained in their system through the 2024 season. The Marlins claimed him off waivers in November of that year, though he spent most of 2025 in the minors before eventually having his contract selected in September. He made his big-league debut on September 6 and made two appearances for the Marlins, logging three innings and three strikeouts without allowing an earned run, although he did issue three walks. Roa was optioned back to Triple-A on September 15 and eventually outrighted on November 6 before electing free agency.

During his time at Triple-A, Roa relied on a sinker-slider combination, with the former accounting for 39.7% of his pitches and averaging 95.6 mph. He used the slider 31.2% of the time, while his 96.0 mph four-seamer was his third-most used pitch at 21.1%. Across 60 1/3 innings over 50 appearances, Roa posted a 2.83 ERA with a solid 26.1% strikeout rate. However, that output came in the International League, which is considered the more pitcher-friendly of the two Triple-A leagues. He also walked 11.4% of hitters, and his .225 BABIP allowed suggests that Roa benefitted from good luck.

Still, the solid ERA and high-velocity pitch mix might be intriguing for teams in need of bullpen depth. Roa has less than a year of big-league service time, so he would come with several years of team control. He also still has two minor-league options remaining and could be shuffled between the majors and Triple-A if needed.

Photo courtesy of Jim Rassol, Imagn Images

Pirates To Sign Joe La Sorsa

By Charlie Wright | November 8, 2025 at 11:10pm CDT

The Pirates are expected to sign left-hander Joe La Sorsa, reports Jon Morosi of MLB Network. It’s a minor league deal with an invite to MLB Spring Training.

La Sorsa has pitched in parts of three MLB seasons with three different teams. He debuted with the Rays in 2023. La Sorsa was most recently with Cincinnati. He made five appearances with the Reds last season.

Tampa Bay drafted La Sorsa in 2019. He tossed 36 1/3 innings at Low-A that same year. La Sorsa delivered a 3.60 ERA across 31 appearances in 2021, striking out nearly a batter per inning. He took a step forward the following season, with an elite 36.3% strikeout rate leading to a Double-A promotion. Minor leaguers hit just .191 against La Sorsa in 2022. He posted a 2.33 ERA across a career-high 73 1/3 innings.

La Sorsa was designated for assignment after just two games with the Rays in 2023. He was quickly scooped up by the Nationals via waiver claim. La Sorsa logged 23 appearances out of Washington’s bullpen that season. He limited walks and kept the ball in the yard, but finished with a 4.76 ERA. After a half-season with Triple-A Rochester, La Sorsa was back with the Nationals in August of 2024. He delivered similarly tepid results and was released in the offseason.

Cincinnati had La Sorsa traveling back and forth from Triple-A Louisville to Great American Ball Park all summer. He was recalled to the big-league club on four separate occasions, including three times in June. La Sorsa was knocked around for eight earned runs in 6 2/3 innings with the Reds. He allowed four home runs in his five outings with the team.

Brewers Release Tucker Davidson

By Charlie Wright | November 8, 2025 at 11:08pm CDT

The Brewers have moved on from left-hander Tucker Davidson. He was released at the end of the season, as noted by Baseball America’s Matt Eddy in a breakdown of minor league transactions. The 29-year-old had latched on with Milwaukee in August. He made six appearances for Triple-A Nashville prior to his departure.

Davidson had one of his most successful professional seasons in 2025. He headed overseas to pitch for the KBO’s Lotte Giants and delivered 22 starts with a 3.65 ERA. Davdison struck out just under a batter per inning and won 10 games with the Giants. He was waived in August when the team brought in Vince Velasquez. Davidson was unable to continue his solid season upon joining the Sounds. He posted a 4.68 ERA across six starts. Triple-A bats hit .277 against Davidson over 25 innings.

Atlanta took Davidson in the 19th round of the 2016 draft. He cruised through the minors, reaching Triple-A by 2019. Davidson put up a pristine 2.15 ERA across 25 starts between Double-A and Triple-A that season. He wasn’t missing a ton of bats, but he piled up ground balls at a high rate.

The strong year earned Davidson an MLB look in 2020, though just for one appearance. He made seven starts for the Braves from 2021 to 2022, before heading to the Angels in the Raisel Iglesias trade. Davidson was moved to relief in 2023, making 37 appearances out of the bullpen for the Angels and Royals. He also made a start with Kansas City, who acquired him in an August trade after the Angels designated him for assignment. Davidson has a 5.76 ERA across 129 2/3 big-league innings.

Photo courtesy Denny Medley, Imagn Images.

Padres Release Wes Benjamin

By Charlie Wright | November 8, 2025 at 5:49pm CDT

The Padres released left-hander Wes Benjamin earlier this week, as pointed out by Baseball America’s Matt Eddy in a review of minor league moves. He joined the organization in February on a minor league deal with a non-roster invite to MLB Spring Training. Benjamin spent his 2025 campaign with Triple-A El Paso.

Texas took Benjamin in the fifth round of the 2014 draft. He posted solid results as he moved through the Rangers’ system, recording a sub-4.00 ERA in each of his first four seasons. Benjamin reached Triple-A in 2019. He struggled to a 5.52 ERA, but set career highs in starts (25) and innings (135 1/3).

Benjamin debuted with the Rangers in the shortened 2020 season. He scuffled to a 4.84 ERA over eight appearances, though his xERA was more than a run lower. Benjamin got another look with the big-league club in 2021, but was blasted for 22 earned runs in 22 2/3 innings. He elected minor league free agency at the end of the season.

After a brief stint in the White Sox system, Benjamin would head abroad. He joined the KT Wiz of the KBO partway through the 2022 season. Benjamin produced solid results over three years with the Wiz, including a 15-win season in 2023. He wrapped up his time in Korea with a respectable 3.74 ERA over 406 innings.

Benjamin had an ugly 6.42 ERA with the Chihuahuas this past season. His xERA and xFIP were both above 5.50. He also lost time to injury.

Photo courtesy of Mark J. Rebilas, Imagn Images.

White Sox Release Blake Sabol

By Charlie Wright | November 8, 2025 at 3:49pm CDT

The White Sox have released catcher Blake Sabol, as mentioned in a minor league transaction roundup from Baseball America’s Matt Eddy. Chicago had acquired Sabol in a July trade with Boston. Sabol spent the duration of his brief White Sox tenure at Triple-A Charlotte.

The 27-year-old backstop was drafted by Pittsburgh in 2017. He hit the ground running as a professional, putting up above-average offensive performances in each of his three minor league seasons in the Pirates’ system. Sabol reached Triple-A in 2022, slashing .296/.426/.543 over a brief 25-game sample.

Sabol was selected by Cincinnati in the Rule 5 draft following the 2022 season. He was then traded to San Francisco. Sabol showed decent power in his first taste of big-league action, popping 13 home runs over 344 plate appearances in 2023. He made 46 starts behind the plate and 32 in left field. Plate discipline was the main concern. Sabol struck out 34% of the time while walking at a meager 7% clip.

The 2024 campaign saw Sabol spend the majority of the season at Triple-A Sacramento. He had a couple of brief stints with the Giants, totaling 38 plate appearances across 11 games. Sabol posted a strong 129 wRC+ in limited action.

San Francisco designated Sabol for assignment after the 2024 season. He was eventually traded to Boston for international bonus pool space. Sabol went 2-for-18 in eight games with the Red Sox.

With Chicago boasting young talents Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero, plus veteran Korey Lee, Sabol was a long shot to contribute at the MLB level this past season. He’ll now be on the search for another opportunity.

Photo courtesy Matt Marton, Imagn Images.

Royals Sign Connor Kaiser To Minor League Deal

By Mark Polishuk | November 8, 2025 at 2:55pm CDT

The Royals announced that Connor Kaiser has been signed to a minor league contract. Kaiser was outrighted off the Diamondbacks’ 40-man roster two days ago and he then elected free agency, so it was a short stay on the open market for the infielder.

Kaiser is a local product who was born in nearby Overland Park and he played his high school ball in Stilwell, Kansas. A contract with his hometown team is a nice early birthday gift for Kaiser (who turns 29 on November 20) and perhaps an opportunity to win a bench job in Spring Training. His primary position of shortstop is obviously covered by Bobby Witt Jr., but Kaiser has experience at all four infield spots, and could work himself into the Royals’ uncertain second base picture.

A third-round pick for the Pirates in the 2018 draft, Kaiser’s MLB resume consists of three games with the Rockies in 2023, and 11 games with the Diamondbacks last season. Arizona signed Kaiser to a minors contract last winter and he got some playing time in the Show after the D’Backs dealt away starters Eugenio Suarez and Josh Naylor at the trade deadline, and after Lourdes Gurriel Jr. suffered a torn ACL at the start of September. Kaiser’s brief stint saw him record his first two career big league hits, but his career slash line over 23 plate appearances is only .091/.130/.136.

Over 1006 career PA at the Triple-A level, Kaiser has hit .230/.347/.378 with 21 homers and 23 steals (in 28 attempts). These modest numbers are diminished a bit more given that most of Kaiser’s Triple-A career has been spent in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. Known as a strong fielder, Kaiser’s defense and versatility may be the keys to whatever playing time he ends up earning with the Royals in 2026, though it helps that he has all three minor league options remaining.

Diamondbacks Sign Aramis Garcia To Minors Contract

By Mark Polishuk | November 8, 2025 at 12:49pm CDT

The Diamondbacks have re-signed catcher Aramis Garcia to a new minor league deal, Baseball America’s Matt Eddy reports. Presumably the new contract contains an invitation for Garcia to attend Arizona’s big league Spring Training camp, just like the previous minors deal Garcia signed with the D’Backs almost exactly one year ago.

Gabriel Moreno’s hand injury last June opened the door for Garcia to twice have his contract selected to the Diamondbacks’ active roster, though both of those promotions were soon followed by Garcia being designated for assignment and then outrighted off the 40-man roster. Garcia had the right to elect free agency after either of those outrights but he chose to remain in the organization on both occasions. He also was on track for minor league free agency once the season was over, but his time on the open market was pretty short, as he’ll now head back to the Diamondbacks.

Garcia’s time on the big league roster saw him appear in just two games in 2025, and he went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in his only four plate appearances. Between not playing in the majors at all in 2023 and going hitless in seven PA (over three games) with the Phillies in 2024, it has now been over three years since Garcia’s last MLB hit, which speaks to his career path as a journeyman. The catcher has hit .208/.245/.321 with 10 home runs over 331 career PA in the majors, suiting up with five different teams at the MLB level (and three more at the minor league level) since Garcia debuted during the 2018 season.

The D’Backs apparently liked what they saw from Garcia, both in his cups of coffee in the majors and in his more extended time at Triple-A Reno. With the caveat that the Pacific Coast League is a very hitter-friendly environment, Garcia had an impressive .266/.385/.481 slash line in 296 PA for Reno in 2025.

As it stands right now, Moreno and Garcia are the only two catchers in Arizona’s organization with any big league playing experience, since James McCann is a free agent. This makes Garcia the default as Moreno’s backup, but the Diamondbacks will surely add to their catching ranks between now and Spring Training, likely sending Garcia back to a Triple-A depth role once again.

Players Entering Minor League Free Agency

By Mark Polishuk | November 8, 2025 at 9:49am CDT

Major League free agents became eligible to sign with other teams on Thursday, but the minor league free agent market has technically been open since season’s end. MLBTR has published several posts detailing players who had already elected to become minor free agents, but Baseball America’s Matt Eddy (multiple links) has the full account of all the minor league free agents that officially joined their big league counterparts on the open market on Thursday.

This list details only players who have played in the Major Leagues, and whose minor league free agency hasn’t already been covered on MLBTR in the last month.

Athletics: Aaron Brooks, Carlos Duran, CD Pelham, Bryan Lavastida, Nick Martini, Alejo Lopez

Braves: Ian Anderson, Davis Daniel, Enoli Paredes, Amos Willingham, Brian Moran, Jonathan Ornelas, Chandler Seagle, Matthew Batten, Conner Capel