MLB Hot Stove Notes: Brewers non-tender top pitcher and add minor league infielder, Phillies lefty becomes a free agent
The Milwaukee Brewers tried to find a trade partner for right-hander Brandon Woodruff, when they were unable to, he was non-tendered before the 8 P.M. deadline on Friday night.
The decision to non-tender Woodruff came as a result of the righty undergoing shoulder surgery on Oct. 13. He is expected to miss the entire regular season.
If the Brewers kept Woodruff on their payroll, he would have accounted for more than $11 million next season.
"Today we had to make a very difficult decision relating to one of the best pitchers and human beings in franchise history," general manager Matt Arnold said. "Throughout his 10 seasons in the organization, Brandon Woodruff has represented the Brewers with class, kindness, heart and toughness.
"He is recognized as a tremendous teammate, both on the field and in the community, where he and his wife, Jonie, have positively impacted so many lives around them.
"We remain very open to his return to Milwaukee, and regardless of what uniform he wears next, Woody will always be a member of the Brewers family."
Woodruff’s departure closes the door on his 10-year run with the organization. He had been with the club since 2014 after he was drafted out Mississippi in the 11th round of the MLB Draft.
"Let's make this clear – I love Milwaukee and the organization, all the people in the organization from top to bottom," Woodruff told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Oct. 31. "Look, I would love to stay in Milwaukee. I realize I'm in a unique situation. I would love for it to work out. But I also realize I'm in a weird position. Because I'm due another raise and it's a lot of money and teams aren't going to necessarily want to pay one year not to pitch, right?
"So, the obvious thing is you either work something out longer term, or I could potentially be a free agent. That's kind of plain, cut-and-dried. That's where I'm at. But my hope is that I will be in Milwaukee – and not just for a couple years, but for a long, long period of time."
Brewers add free agent infielder on minors pact
The Milwaukee Brewers have signed free agent infielder Yonny Hernández to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training, per FanSided’s Robert Murray.
The 26-year-old spent the 2023 season with the Dodgers, spending the majority of the time in their minors. Hernández played in 14 major league games this season.
While playing in 93 Triple-A games, he slashed .252/.395/.342, hitting four homers, walked 18.4% of the time and struck out 19.9% of the time. Hernández did swipe 17 bases, while being caught 12 times.
The new Brewers infielder provides depth at second base, third base and shortstop. He will compete for a major league job during spring training but will face an uphill battle with Brice Turang, Andruw Monasterio, Owen Miller and Jahmai Jones all serving as infield depth.
Hernández was outrighted off the Dodgers 40-man roster in September and elected free agency.
Phillies outright pitcher Michael Plassmeyer, he becomes a free agent
The Phillies removed left-handed pitcher Michael Plassmeyer off the 40-man roster and outrighted him to Triple-A. The southpaw elected to become a free agent instead.
“Being able to chose where I go and have a little bit of a say in it for the first time in my life, having been traded all these times. I can have a little bit of say, look into it and see who has good pitching development, who’s got some opportunities for me, where can I get innings, is kind of exciting for me,” said Plassmeyer on the To the Show We Go Podcast.
Plassmeyer made his MLB debut this season, pitching in one game for the Phillies, he went 3 2/3 innings posting a 22.09 ERA. The lefty missed time with an injury this season before being designated for assignment. He returned back to the Phillies organization where he pitched at the Triple-A level.
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