Every November, Major League teams must decide whether to tender or non-tender arbitration-eligible players. The big names, like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Kyle Tucker, will obviously be tendered. But, there’s another side, as there will be players non-tendered, likely ones who didn’t perform well this past year. With that said, here’s a look at 15 names likely on the non-tender bubble this fall.
Hitters
| Name | 2024 Team(s) | Position | 2024 Salary | 2024 Totals (MLB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ty France | Reds, Mariners | 1B/3B | $6.775M | .234/.305/.365, 13 HR over 535 PA |
| Luis Urias | Mariners | 2B/3B | $5M | .191/.303/.394, 4 HR over 109 PA |
| Trent Grisham | Yankees | OF | $5.5M | .190/.290/.385, 9 HR over 209 PA |
| Brendan Rodgers | Rockies | 2B | $3.2M | .267/.314/.407, 13 HR over 539 PA |
| Ramon Laureano | Guardians, Braves | OF | $5.15M | .259/.311/.437, 11 HR over 309 PA |
| Austin Hays | Orioles, Phillies | OF | $6.3M | .255/.303/.396, 5 HR over 255 PA |
| Nicky Lopez | White Sox | 2B | $4.3M | .241/.312/.294, 1 HR over 445 PA |
| Miguel Andujar | Athletics | OF | $1.7M | .285/.320/.377, 4 HR over 319 PA |
| Jorge Mateo | Orioles | INF | $2.7M | .229/.267/.401, 5 HR over 208 PA |
Some of the names on this list are non-surprises.
Ty France, despite a knack for getting on base, has been largely a fringe-average hitter at the plate over the last two seasons. France hit .234/.305/.365 with 13 home runs and 37 extra-base hits last season between Cincinnati and Seattle. The veteran infielder was DFA’d by the Mariners in July and acquired by an infielder-needy Reds team a few days later.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand should slot back in as the Reds’ first baseman after he missed much of 2024. France will latch on to a team quickly, given he get on base. France led the Majors in HBP in 2021 and 2023.
Luis Urias didn’t play much after the Mariners acquired him last offseason via trade. Urias posted a .696 OPS and didn’t provide much pop after Seattle traded away Eugenio Suarez.
Trent Grisham had just 209 PA with the Yankees in 2024, as he settled into a bench role on a deep Yankees team. The Yankees can save some money by non-tendering Grisham, and the same can be said for the White Sox and Nicky Lopez. Lopez made $4.3M with Chicago (AL).
Then, there are names who might surprise some.
One is Brendan Rodgers. Rodgers was an elite prospect many moons ago but hasn’t developed into the star some predicted he would become in 2015. Rodgers posted a .721 OPS (94 OPS+) with Colorado last year and played 135 games. He was a regular for Colorado last year but could be a casualty for a team looking to cut payroll.
Sure, the Rockies could trade Rodgers. However, he’s more of a hit-over-power bat with a short swing but fringe-average power, one who might have as much interest. Additionally, the Rockies also have several middle infielders, Adael Amador and Ryan Ritter, waiting in the wings. It’s a double-whammy.
Ramon Laureano hit just .143/.265/.229 with the Guardians before Cleveland released him. Laureano went to a Braves team in need of outfielders and thrived, as he posted a .832 OPS over 67 games. Those are good numbers but the Braves likely won’t be as needy for outfield help. Atlanta should get Ronald Acuna Jr. back for next season.
Jorge Mateo played in just 68 games for the Orioles last season. With a deep infield in place, Mateo could be the odd man out for a team that has key pieces set to depart on free agency. Mateo made $2.7M last season.
Pitchers
| Name | 2024 Team(s) | Position | 2024 Salary | 2024 Totals (MLB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Griffin Canning | Angels | SP | $2.6M | 5.19 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 130 K over 171.1 IP |
| Jose Urquidy | Astros | SP | $3.75M | Did not pitch in MLB |
| Trevor Rogers | Marlins, Orioles | SP | $1.53M | 4.92 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 97 K over 124.1 IP |
| Hoby Milner | Brewers | RP | $2.05M | 4.73 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 64 K over 64.2 IP |
| JT Brubaker | Yankees | SP/RP | $2.275M | Did not pitch in MLB |
Perhaps the name on this list who is likeliest to be non-tendered is Griffin Canning. Canning had a rough 2024 campaign; a 5.19 ERA, a poor Hard Hit% (41.9%), and just 130 strikeouts over 171.2 IP. His April (19 ER over 24 IP) was tough and his season never got back on track afterwards. From May 1 onward, Canning’s 5.21 FIP was fifth-worst (min. 80 IP).
Canning has been a part of the Angels’ organization since 2017, when Los Angeles (AL) drafted him in the second round back in 2017.
Jose Urquidy, meanwhile, will likely miss most (or all) of 2025 thanks to Tommy John surgery recovery. He underwent the operation this past summer. Houston has just one year of control left on the righty.
Trevor Rogers got hit hard (7.11 ERA, 11.8 H/9) in four starts with the Orioles after he was acquired from the Marlins. It was a large enough sample size that Baltimore demoted Rogers to Triple-A. Despite 30 strikeouts over 28.2 innings, Rogers gave up 18 earned runs in a hitter-friendly environment.
One could take away from those results that the O’s could bail on Rogers. However, Baltimore gave up a pretty penny for him, as the Orioles parted with Kyle Stowers and Connor Norby to acquire the left-hander.
Then, there are the relievers who could be non-tendered.
Hoby Milner made $2.05M last year from Milwaukee but couldn’t replicate his strong 2023. His Chase% dipped three percentage points and his ERA jumped to 4.73. On the other hand, Milner was exceptional at limiting hard contact, ranking in the 99th percentile in Barrel% (2.7%). He’s also one of the more deceptive relievers in the game.
He would be hard to part with. But, the Brewers have other players — Aaron Civale, a $10.5M club option for Devin Williams — due for a pay raise. Plus, don’t forget about the TV situation. The Brewers will no longer receive rights payments from the FanDuel Sports Network (fka Bally Sports), which could hit the payroll.
Milwaukee has two good lefties in Jared Koenig and Bryan Hudson, so parting with Milner is an option.
JT Brubaker, acquired by the Yankees in March, didn’t pitch a game with New York (AL) this season.
Aside from this bunch, there are other names who are in danger of being non-tendered.
Anthony Bender had a good 2024 campaign for the Marlins, as he struck out 59 over 53 frames with the Fish and posted a GB% north of 50%. However, one note to consider with Bender is whether the Marlins are willing to spend around $3M — Spotrac estimates $3.2M — for a middle-reliever.
Bender has value and would likely be a trade target once the league year is over. But, he’s also someone who could be non-tendered.
Getting back to the Brewers, Joel Payamps and the aforementioned Aaron Civale are possibilities. Specificially Civale, who made $4.9M last season and will head into his final year of arbitration.