MLB‘s Non-Tender Deadline Drama: A Comedy of Errors
Well, folks, it’s that time again in Major League Baseball, a moment that could only be described as the sporting equivalent of a mass exodus from a sinking ship. The deadline for tendering contracts to arbitration-eligible players is tonight at 7pm CT, and already we’re witnessing teams tossing players out like last week’s leftovers. Spoiler alert: if you’re not a fan of barnyard animals (or indeed, mere mortals), you might want to look away, because the following list might make you feel like you just watched a particularly grotesque circus act.
Rolling the Dice: The Non-Tendered Players
Let’s dive headfirst into the pool of poor decisions that the teams are apparently swimming in. And remember, if you see these names in a free agency ad, it’s not for a new line of vegan protein shakes!
Athletics Say Goodbye to Dany Jiménez
The Athletics decided that paying a projected $1MM for right-hander Dany Jiménez wasn’t in their playbook this season. With a 4.91 ERA and an alarming 16.2% walk rate in 25 appearances, Jiménez is swiftly heading to the free agency pool to compete for a new job—perhaps behind the bar at a local pub, considering his gift for giving walks!
Blue Jays Wave Goodbye to Dillon Tate
Speaking of sad farewells, the Blue Jays do appear to be mastering the fine art of non-tendering. They’ve decided to part ways with righty Dillon Tate after a brief fling that lasted all of September. Despite a promising start as a fourth overall pick, Tate ghosted the game for much of 2023 due to an injury, and clocked in with a mediocre 4.66 ERA in 2024. And it seems his projected salary of $1.9MM wasn’t quite enough to pen another chapter in the Jays’ book of disaster!
Mariners Cut Ties with Sam Haggerty
Poor Sam Haggerty, the meta definition of ‘limited edition,’ is being non-tendered by the Mariners. After playing only eight games in 2024, courtesy of a torn Achilles, he’s heading into free agency armed with just a $900K projected salary and a solid suggestion to invest in bubble wrap for next season!
Orioles Part with Jacob Webb
Now onto the Orioles, who’ve decided to part ways with right-hander Jacob Webb. Webb, who threw a respectable 56 2/3 innings with a 3.02 ERA and a strikeout rate that impressively still hovers over 24%, simply couldn’t convince the O’s that he was worth his projected $1.7MM salary. It’s like being told you’re excellent at parties but not invited to the next one—ouch!
White Sox Say “No Thanks” to Gavin Sheets
And finally, the White Sox have officially non-tendered first baseman/outfielder Gavin Sheets and righty Enyel De Los Santos. With a 5.20 ERA, De Los Santos wasn’t exactly lighting up Hall of Fame dreams, while Sheets seems to be more of a ghost than an MVP. Surrounded by poor decisions, he’s loading up the moving truck!
Conclusion: The Non-Tender Tango
As the clock strikes 7pm CT and contracts are tossed into the trash like a bad romantic comedy script, it’s clear that MLB teams are making some questionable calls. Will these players find new homes, or will they relish in the glories of free agency? Only time will tell. Remember, folks: in baseball, much like in life, sometimes it’s all about who can dodge a bullet—and other times, it’s just about who can avoid being non-tendered.
The countdown is on: teams must tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players by 7 PM CT tonight. As we keep our eyes peeled on the roster changes, here’s an overview of the players on American League teams who have been non-tendered earlier today. This article will be continuously updated as new decisions unfold in real-time. MLB Trade Rumors contributor Matt Swartz provided projected salaries for arbitration-eligible players last month, giving fans and analysts a glimpse into potential salary negotiations. Once players are non-tendered before tonight’s cutoff, they immediately enter free agency, where they become available to sign with any of MLB’s 30 franchises.
Onto the transactions…
- The Athletics confirmed their decision not to tender a contract to right-hander Dany Jiménez, who was projected to earn around $1 million for the upcoming season. During the 2024 campaign, he registered a 4.91 ERA across 25 appearances, managing to strike out 21.4% of the batters he faced, but struggled significantly with his control, issuing walks at a troubling 16.2% rate.
- The Blue Jays appear ready to non-tender right-hander Dillon Tate, as reported by Ben Nicholson Smith and Shi Davidi of Sportsnet (X link). Tate, who was acquired just off waivers at the beginning of September, was projected to earn $1.9 million but endured an injury-riddled 2023 season and registered a 4.66 ERA during the 2024 campaign. The Jays are also looking to non-tender right-hander Jordan Romano, a decision discussed further here.
- The Mariners intend to non-tender outfielder Sam Haggerty, according to Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 (X link). Haggerty’s impactful 2024 season was marred by a torn Achilles, limiting him to just eight games. Although he was projected to earn a modest $900,000, the Mariners have opted to part ways with him.
- The Orioles have signaled plans to non-tender right-hander Jacob Webb, as per Andy Kostka of the Baltimore Banner (X link). Webb was projected to command a salary of $1.7 million next season after completing 56.2 innings for the Orioles in 2024, showcasing a respectable 3.02 ERA along with a 24.5% strikeout rate, though he did struggle with an 11.4% walk rate.
- The White Sox made headlines today by announcing plans to non-tender first baseman/outfielder Gavin Sheets. Earlier today, MLBTR reported on the Sox’s decision regarding Sheets, but they also ultimately decided to non-tender right-hander Enyel De Los Santos, who was projected to earn $1.7 million after concluding the season with a 5.20 ERA.
How do injuries affect a player’s free agency prospects after a challenging season?
Who battled injuries throughout the season. After just eight games played in 2024 due to a torn Achilles, Haggerty, projected to earn around $900,000, is looking for a fresh start in free agency.
Stay tuned for updates as more non-tender announcements roll in, and keep an eye on which players might find new homes as free agents in the coming days!
