MLB.com posted an article on interesting non-tendered free agents. Some may re-sign with their old clubs, others are coming off major injuries, team salary relief, and a few have been in career collapse mode.
Former closers John Axford and Andrew Bailey among the biggest names not given a contract by their former clubs. Bailey is one of the most high-profile players to be
non-tendered, but he also is due for a roughly $4.5 million salary despite
coming off right shoulder surgery that could prevent him from being
ready for Opening Day. The two-time All-Star posted a 3.77 ERA and eight
saves last season for the Red Sox, who also non-tendered outfielder Ryan Kalish.
Boston's World Series opponent also parted ways with an expensive
ex-closer. Axford, whom the Cardinals acquired from the Brewers in
August, had a 1.74 ERA in limited action for St. Louis but also made $5
million last year.
Injured Diamondback pitcher Daniel Hudson,
who is recovering
from a second Tommy John surgery that could keep him out for much of --
if not all -- of 2014.
The Angels non-tendered four players, including pitcher Tommy Hanson
, who had a 3.28 ERA over 77 starts for the Braves from 2009-11 but since the
27-year-old has dealt with injuries since and struggled to a 5.42 mark
in 73 innings for the Angels last season. Pitcher Jerome Williams
had been a solid swingman for the Angels the past three seasons, making
46 starts out of 79 appearances.
The Dodgers let go reliever Ronald Belisario. The righty, who made $1.45 million last season, appeared in 145 games for the club over the past two years, with a 3.24 ERA.
The Rockies parted ways with reliever Mitchell Boggs,
who had a 2.21 ERA over 78 appearances for the Cardinals in 2012 but
struggled last year and was picked up by Colorado, where he appeared in
only nine games, with a 3.12 ERA.
The Marlins cut Chris Coghlan,
who posted an .850 OPS in 2009 that year but never came close
to duplicating that production. Miami also cut ties with right-handed
reliever Ryan Webb.
The Rays parted ways with outfielder Sam Fuld,
a speedy defensive whiz who hit .199 last season and
lefty reliever Wesley Wright.
The Blue Jays non-tendered their previous starting catcher J.P. Arencibia.
The former first-round pick started 331 games behind the plate since
debuting for Toronto in August 2010 but has a career .258 on-base
percentage and was due to make more than $2.5 million in '14.
The Mets were one of the most active teams in terms of non-tendering, cutting five players from their roster: starter Jeremy Hefner, reliever Scott Atchison, infielders Omar Quintanilla and Justin Turner, and outfielder Jordany Valdespin.
Those moves marked the end of Valdespin's tumultuous tenure in the
organization, which included some highlight-reel plays but also
confrontations with management, a 50-game suspension in the Biogenesis
case and a .188 average with New York this season.
Other non-tendered players included Braves infielders Paul Janish and Elliot Johnson, Indians catcher Lou Marson, Royals infielder Chris Getz, White Sox pitcher Dylan Axelrod and Yankees infielder Jayson Nix.
