Every year, the MLB non-tender deadline sees clubs allow some of their team-controlled players to test the open market early, whether it’s due to rising arbitration costs or the need for more cap space on the team’s 40 players. list. In previous seasons, there have been a number of high-quality players who ended up not receiving tenders, including Brandon Woodruff last winter again Cody Bellinger the year before that. Kyle Schwarber again Kevin Gausman they are among a handful of other star players who have gone non-tendered for some reason during their careers, and all but Woodruff (who is expected to return to the mound next year after missing the 2024 season due to shoulder surgery) have gone on to enjoy major league success following their non-tenders.
While that type of non-tendered free agency player is extremely rare, most players find themselves quickly released by their clubs to make an impact elsewhere, whether it’s on the roster or in the rotation. just as a solid contributor off the bench or out of the bullpen. With most of the teams in the game signing at one level or another that they hope to compete in 2025, clubs that have been harassed in the free agency or trade market this winter will certainly be motivated to try to uncover the diamond in the rough. in the winter as they hunt for offensive upgrades. Let’s take a look at five hitters who hit free agency following last week’s non-tender deadline and may be worth watching for the rest of the season. The players are listed in alphabetical order, with their age for the 2025 season in parentheses.
Austin Hays (29)
Hays is perhaps the most surprising non-tender on this list, as he was an All-Star with the Orioles last year and has been a reliable league-average shortstop who has been able to play all three outfield positions throughout his career. That continued production is what convinced the Phillies to make the trade Seranthony Dominguez again Christian Pache to the Orioles to get him in the summer. While he didn’t live up to expectations in 22 games with Philadelphia down the stretch, his lackluster .256/.275/.397 slash line during that span comes with a major caveat: Hays spent the second half of the year battling a kidney infection that severely limited his ability. his playing style, as discussed at length in a recent article from The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.
Given the serious illness that plagued Hays during his time as a Phillie, it seems wise to examine his free agency in the context of his entire career. By that metric, an outfielder would be a valuable addition to almost any outfield mix in the major leagues. In his three seasons as a full-time player with the Orioles from 2021 to 2023, Hays hit a solid .261/.313/.439 (108 wRC+) in 420 games for Baltimore. During that time, he produced 6.1 fWAR, a number that put him ahead of the average tight end at the time. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and fellow Orioles Anthony Santander. What’s more, Hays continued to put up excellent numbers against left-handed pitching even in this year’s illness-plagued season that reduced his role to a part-time starter: in 49 games against lefties this year, he hit a perfect home run. .354/.407/.537, even better than his .277/.331/.469 career line against southpaws. If Hays can return to the form he showed from 2021 to 2023, he could be a solid cornerback, especially one who struggles in left tackle.
Ramon Laureano (30)
Early in his career, Laureano proved to be an integral part of the Athletics’ core on the sideline Matt Olson, Matt Chapman, Marcus Semien, Sean Manaeaagain Frankie Montas. In his first two seasons in the big leagues, Laureano hit an impressive .288/.345/.508 (128 wRC+) in a combined 657 trips to the plate while playing solid defense in right field. After that, however, Laureano’s career was marred by three shortened seasons: a 60-game shortened campaign in 2020 and the 2021 and ’22 campaigns that Laureano was cut short by an 80-game PED suspension. In those three seasons, Laureano hit just .225/.310/.400 with a wRC+ of 103 and defense that was barely noticeable in the field. That poor production continued through the 2023 season, as he posted a 90 wRC+ overall between stints with the A’s and in Cleveland. His second season with the Guardians got off to a rough start in 2024, as he hit just .143 in 31 games before the club cut him short.
If this is where Laureano’s story for the 2024 season ended, he could be a surprising name hoping for a minor league deal this winter. That’s not the case, though, because he joined the Braves’ roster to fill in Ronald Acuna Jr. after the reigning MVP suffered a torn ACL. He looked like a hitter earlier in his career during his time with Atlanta, hitting a career-best .296/.327/.505 (129 wRC+) in a part-time role that saw him collect 226 plate appearances in 67 games. While that performance wasn’t enough to convince the Braves to bring him back despite Acuna’s expected return early next year, most teams could benefit from an above-average corner outfielder who is hitting batters (.305/.343/.526 in 102 PA this year) and putting up decent enough numbers. against rights to become a passing norm.
Brendan Rodgers (28)
The youngest player on this list, Rodgers seemed to come into his own as a player in the 2021 and ’22 seasons. As the Rockies’ primary second baseman, Rodgers hit .274/.326/.434 (95 wRC+) while improving enough defensively to win a Gold Glove award at the position in 2022. Unfortunately, what should have been a chance to follow up that strong performance was cut short when he underwent shoulder surgery in March of 2023, leaving him sidelined until the end of July. He got some regular playing time with Colorado when he returned, but he didn’t look as good as he had before. In 181 games since his return, he’s hit just .265/.314/.402 (85 wRC+). His defense has also dropped to a Glove-caliber showing that he shined in 2022, when he posted limited defense metrics the past two seasons.
While the red flags in Rodgers’ post-surgery profile are obvious, his youth, pedigree as one of the top 20 players in the sport, and a small infield market this winter seem like he might be a real consideration on the market. After all, if taking another year out of his shoulder injury can help him regain the form he shined in 2022, it’s easy to imagine him posting a solid season as a regular second baseman for a team without a clear answer at a position like the Mariners, Yankees, or Giants. Unlike the outside players on this list, Rodgers’ competition on the domestic market is similarly flawed, with several players likely to receive multi-year deals.
Josh Rojas (31)
Rojas was surprisingly non-tendered, given his status as one of the Mariners’ best infield options heading into 2025. Apparently, the club wasn’t willing to pay a projected $4.3MM salary for his services next year after an up-and-down 2024 campaign that saw him slash a respectable .204/.304/.336 (91 wRC+) overall. That slash line doesn’t tell the whole story, though, as Rojas is hitting just .192/.273/.301 (72 wRC+) after the All-Star break this year. That’s an unbearable slash line for an everyday player, especially given the fact that Rojas is a walk-on defender at second and third base.
That being said, Rojas figures to benefit from a lackluster infield market just like Rodgers does. Over the past four seasons, Rojas has been a league-average hitter (97 wRC+) with the Diamondbacks and Mariners. It is also notable that he stands out as a strong member of the group; Left-handed hitters are somewhat scarce, and Rojas took full advantage of his platoon advantage by posting an above-average 104 wRC+ against right-handed pitching this year. With a lefty-mashing teammate or a bench role that helps reduce his exposure to same-handed hitting, it’s easy to imagine Rojas enjoying a strong season in 2025. Another notable thing in Rojas’ free agency should be that he’s looking to stay. he is due to be dealt next winter, meaning his next club could keep him for a second season if the first goes well.
Mike Tauchman (34)
Tauchman is the oldest player on the roster, but he’s notable for being the only player here to post an above-average wRC+ over the past two seasons. After a short stint in South Korea to play in the KBO in 2022, Tauchman joined the Cubs and thrived in the fourth outfielder role with the club. In 217 games with Chicago over the past two years, he’s slashed .250/.360/.372 with a 110 wRC+ and a career-best 13.7% walk rate that even earned him the club’s best hitter. Tauchman found himself non-tendered despite his solid production thanks in large part to his diminished role with the team in the second half last year; The Cubs have it Ian Happ, Cody Bellinger, Seiya Suzukiagain Pete Crow-Armstrong it’s all penciled into the regular playtime list, and the kids love it Alexander Canario, Owen Caissieagain Kevin Alcantara on the 40-man roster as depth options.
That cost Tauchman money in Chicago, but he should be an interesting free agent option for a team in need of a stable, veteran OBP presence in their outfield mix. While he’s a walk-on defender in all three outfield positions, Tauchman’s ability to play in the middle should add to his value, and like Rojas he comes with an additional season of team control after 2025 if the club that signs him is interested in him. services in the following year. The Astros, Dodgers, Cubs, and Mets are the only clubs posting a wRC+ higher than 110+ in the outfield in 2024, and 13 clubs have experienced below-average offensive production in the grass overall, meaning Tauchman could be at the most affordable level. number of clubs needing outside help this winter.
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