The Major League Baseball non-tender deadline was Wednesday at 8 p.m. EST. That means that any pre-arbitration and arbitration-eligible players that did not receive a contract tender from their respective teams are now free agents. With that in mind, let’s break down the biggest non-tendered players and what their markets may look like.
Atlanta Braves
Adam Duvall
This move came as a bit of a surprise for the Braves after Duvall mashed 16 home runs in 2020. Atlanta’s decision to non-tender him obviously doesn’t mean they won’t want to bring him back, but now he can explore the market. Marcell Ozuna will be a big target for the Braves as they look to re-sign him. But the Ozuna market is waiting on whether or not the designated hitter will remain in the National League. This may have had an impact on this non-tender decision. Duvall was projected to make anywhere from $4.4 million to $7.1 million in arbitration.
Contract Prediction: One-year, $5 million
Top Landing Spots: Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Dodgers
Baltimore Orioles
Hanser Alberto
The first-time arbitration-eligible Alberto was set to command between $2-4 million more in arbitration but now enters free agency. He was one of the Orioles’ most productive players over the last two seasons. He hit .305 in 2019 and .283 in 2020 while holding a .735 OPS in 193 games in Baltimore. The 28-year-old infielder hit a league-leading .394 against left-handers over that stretch. Alberto could be a great utility infielder for any team that needs more production from the bench or their infield spots. The Orioles also traded Jose Iglesias earlier on the day, so they will have a couple of voids to fill in their infield.
Contract Prediction: One-year, $2.6 million
Top Landing Spots: New York Yankees, Orioles, New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays
Chicago Cubs
Kyle Schwarber
Schwarber was set to earn about $8 million in 2021 and he will now be a free agent after six seasons with the Cubs. Chicago is keeping the door open on a return for a lesser deal. The Cubs’ faithful will certainly miss him if he does not end up back with them as he is a fan favorite. He was a big part of the 2016 World Series-winning team, as he hit .412 in five games in the series. Whether or not if the designated hitter will be in the NL is a big question mark for whether he ends up somewhere in the Senior Circuit, as he is really nothing more than a DH.
Contract Prediction: One-year, $8.5 million
Top Landing Spots: Yankees, Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, Mets
Other non-tenders: Albert Almora Jr., Jose Martinez, Ryan Tepera
Chicago White Sox
Carlos Rodon
Rodon was projected to earn a $4.5 million contract in arbitration. But he was limited to fewer than 50 major league innings the last two years following Tommy John surgery. He hasn’t been even close to the same pitcher as he was prior to surgery and the White Sox just didn’t see him in the plans. Someone could take a flyer on him as a bullpen depth arm, but not for a too expensive contract.
Contract Prediction: One-year, $4 million
Top Landing Spots: Miami Marlins, Cubs, White Sox, Seattle Mariners
Nomar Mazara
Mazara was projected to make around $6 million in 2021 and was expected to be the White Sox right fielder. But he hit just .228 with one home run in 42 games in 2020. The White Sox will still remain in contact with Mazara as they evaluate his market. The White Sox acquired him from the Texas Rangers for Steele Walker in December 2019. Mazara earned $5.56 million in 2020.
Contract Prediction: One-year, $5.2 million
Top Landing Spots: White Sox, Boston Red Sox, Mets, Indians
Cincinnati Reds
Archie Bradley
Bradley will now be one of the top free-agent relievers on the market this winter after posting a 2.95 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 18 strikeouts in 18.1 innings between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Reds in 2020. Several teams could use an arm like Bradley to help bolster their bullpen. He was set to make around $6 million in arbitration as a proven bullpen arm.
Contract Prediction: Two-years, $11 million
Top Landing Spots: Yankees, Mets, Los Angeles Angels, Philadelphia Phillies
Colorado Rockies
David Dahl
The biggest name in the group of Rockies’ non-tenders, the first-round Dahl worked his way back to play a career-high 100 games in 2019 and earned himself an All-Star selection. He slashed .302/.353/.524 with 15 home runs and 61 RBIs but his 2020 season ended early when he underwent shoulder surgery in September.
Contract Prediction: One-year, $2.3 million
Top Landing Spots: Mets, Indians, Houston Astros, Cardinals
Other non-tenders: Tony Wolters, Chi Chi Gonzalez
Kansas City Royals
Maikel Franco
Franco has now been non-tendered for the second straight season after facing the same fate with the Phillies last season. He was projected to earn between $4.5 and $8 million in his final arbitration-eligible year. The 28-year-old hit .278/.321/.457 with eight home runs in 243 plate appearances with the Royals after they took a flyer on him.
Contract Prediction: One-year, $6.2 million
Other non-tenders: Jeison Guzman, Erick Mejia, Bubba Starling
Los Angeles Angels
Hansel Robles
Robles struggled in 2020, surrendering 19 earned runs in 18 appearances out of the bullpen. He has struggled with injuries and inconsistency since a decent rookie year in 2017.
Other non-tenders: Keynan Middleton, Hoby Milner, Justin Anderson, Matt Andriese
Minnesota Twins
Eddie Rosario
Rosario cleared outright waivers on Wednesday which was a clear indication they would non-tender him. They did just that after playing his first six big league seasons with the Twins. The Twins have an abundance of young outfielders like Alex Kirilloff and Brent Rooker, so moving on from the free-swinging Rosario didn’t come as a surprise. Especially considering his increasing salary.
Contract Prediction: One-year, $9 million
Top Landing Spots: Marlins, Detroit Tigers, Red Sox
Other non-tenders: Matt Wisler
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