MLB Hot Stove Morning Brew: Several players hit the free agent market after being non-tendered Friday night
Teams had until 8pm Friday night to non-tender contracts to their arbitration eligible players. Each year there are always notable names or surprises that end up being released from their team.
All arbitration projections are provided from MLB Trade Rumors.
Dakota Hudson has been non-tendered by the St. Louis Cardinals. Hudson is projected to earn $3.7 million. The right-hander struggled in 18 games (12 starts) with a 4.98 ERA/5.06 FIP.
The 29-year-old looks to limit hard contact and produce ground balls. He was in the 86th percentile last season in ground ball rate.
Aaron Cimber, 33, was non-tendered by the Toronto Blue Jays. The right-handed reliever was projected to earn $3.22 million.
This past season he appeared in only 22 games before being placed on the 60-day IL with a shoulder impingement.
In limited action he had a 7.40 ERA last season. In 299.2 innings he holds a 3.49 career ERA. If healthy, he could be a good bounce back candidate.
The Cinncinati Reds non-tendered utility man Nick Senzel. He was projected to earn $3 Million in arbitration.
The former 2016 second overall pick hit a career high 13 homeruns this past season. He hit .239/.302/.369 in six seasons with the Reds.
The utility man appeared at second, third, and all three outfield spots. The 28-year-old split his playing time fairly evenly, although his most appearances was at 3B with 57.
The New York Mets have non-tendered first baseman and designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach.
He was projected to earn $2.6 million.
The soon to be 31 year old slugged 13 homeruns in his only season with New York. He slashed .233/.339/.404 in 104 games (78 starts). Vogelbach didn’t play in the field at all this year as he was strictly used as a designated hitter.
The Milwaukee Brewers non-tendered first baseman Rowdy Tellez. He was projected to earn $5.9 million in arbitration.
Tellez managed only 13 home runs last season after going deep 35 times in 2022.
He appeared in 76 games at first base, while displaying below average defense. Perhaps, the lefty is most known for being a Red Sox killer.
The slugger is a career .233 hitter, but when he faces Boston he takes his game to another level. Against Boston he has hit .327 with 29 RBIs and 14 homeruns in just 38 games.
Catcher Austin Nola has been non-tendered by the San Diego Padres. He was projected to earn $2.35 million in arbitration.
The veteran backstop really struggled this season slashing .146/.260/.192 in 154 plate appearances. Nola was hit with a ball back in March which lead him to visit a doctor due to a vision issue.
The official diagnosis was oculomotor dysfunction, a vision issue that impacts the brain’s ability to coordinate eye movement.
The Arizona Diamondbacks non-tendered outfielder Kyle Lewis. He was projected to earn $1.61 million.
Lewis is most known for winning NL Rookie of the Year in 2020 with the Seattle Mariners. In the shortened 60 game season Lewis hit .263 with 11 homeruns.
Unfortunately the 28-year-old has been unable to stay on the field due to injuries.
He battled a concussion in 2022 and has had constant knee issues
In 248 plate appearance in AAA, Lewis slashed an impressive .371/.457/.647, displaying his talent, unfortunately his game didn’t translate as managed to only hit .157 in the major.
There were a total of 63 players that ended up being non-tendered prior to the 8pm deadline.
Other names to be non-tendered include: Cardinal first baseman and outfielder Juan Yepez, Miami catcher Jacob Stallings, Rangers right-handed pitcher Matt Bush, Mets infielder Luis Guillorme, Nationals first baseman Dominic Smith, Tigers outfielder Austin Meadows and righty Spencer Turnbull.
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