The non-tender deadline provided a few shocks as teams finally ran out of patience waiting for breakouts, or they just decided to cut ties with significant arbitration figures looming.
You could build a half-decent team from the non-tendered players. When I say half-decent, they would probably beat the Detroit Tigers.
Catcher: Luke Maile
28-year-old released by the Blue Jays offers nothing with the bat but was 16th out of 113 catchers according to defensive metrics. He possesses an in-demand skillset, so will likely get another job fairly quickly.
First base: C.J. Cron
Over the last two seasons, the 29-year-old has averaged 27 home runs with .799 OPS despite being hampered by a thumb injury. By comparison, the Tigers best slugger last season was Brandon Dixon with 15 homers and .725 OPS. Just saying.
Second base: Cesar Hernandez
His career .352 OBP, solid middle infield defence and speed on the basepaths works for all 30 teams … well, all except the Phillies.
Third base: Maikel Franco
More than 100 home runs and an impressively low 15% career-strikeout rate. Franco is still only 27 years old, but is there any player who has flattered to deceive as frequently over the last six years?
Shortstop: Addison Russell
Former first-rounder with a good glove but you probably wouldn’t want to go out for a beer with him. Fingers-crossed my team doesn’t sign him.
Outfield: Domingo Santana
Defensively-suspect but a dominating slugger with 112 OPS+ since the Astros dumped him in 2015. Plus he is only expected to earn $3.7 million.
Outfield: Steven Souza Jr.
Hit 30 home runs with .810 OPS with the Rays in 2017, but injury restricted his two-year stint in Arizona to just 72 games.
Outfield: Kevin Pillar
One-man centrefield highlight reel. Led the Giants in all four categories of home runs (21), runs (82), RBI (87) and stolen bases (14).
Bench
- Travis Shaw (Averaged 32 homers with 94 RBI with the Brewers before capitulating last season)
- Yolmer Sanchez (No-one has played more games for the White Sox over the last three years)
- Jose Peraza (Multi-positional, 25-year-old who still has bags of potential)
- Kevin Plawecki (Ranks as one of the top 20 defensive catchers)
Starting pitcher: Aaron Sanchez
Cy Young Award contender in 2016 with strikeout weapons but struggles with control – still a potential superstar.
Starting pitcher: Kevin Gausman
Career 10.2 WAR and coming off a 3.17 FIP stint with the Reds.
Starting pitcher: Jimmy Nelson
Injury has restricted him to just three starts since receiving Cy Young Award consideration in 2017.
Starting pitcher: Taijuan Walker
Missed most of the last two seasons recovering from Tommy John surgery, but leaves Arizona with an impressive 3.47 ERA.
Closer: Blake Treinen
68 appearances with 38 saves and 0.78 ERA in 2018. Enough said.
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