One typical Major League Baseball offseason custom is the non-tender watch. Every winter, there’s always a handful of 40-man roster players who are not tendered a contract by their team, typically individuals who are arbitration-eligible. With November & the offseason in sight, here’s a look at 15 players who could be non-tendered come the winter.
American League
- RP Genesis Cabrera (Twins)
- RP Jason Foley (Tigers)
- OF Nolan Jones (Guardians)
- OF Chas McCormick (Astros)
- OF Billy McKinney (Rangers)
- OF Christopher Morel (Rays)
- 1B/OF Luke Raley (Mariners)
- C Connor Wong (Red Sox)
No, don’t expect someone like Anthony Volpe — a first-time arbitration-eligible player — to be cut by the Yankees. However, there are some likely names here who make a lot of sense.
First, the relievers. Genesis Cabrera bounced around across the Majors this season, spending time with the Mets, Cubs, and Twins. He just barely missed out on six years of service time, as he spent the first month of the year in Triple-A. However, Cabrera will likely be one of the many who could be non-tendered, then signed as a Minor League free agent.
Jason Foley, who didn’t pitch in the Majors this season and had his year end in April thanks to shoulder surgery, could also be axed off the 40-man roster.
As for the bats, Connor Wong is the likeliest 50/50 player here. Wong had a rough 2025, as he posted a .500 OPS and lost the starting catcher job in Boston to Carlos Narvaez. However, Wong underwent offseason excision surgery and could return as an affordable backup. This is Wong’s first year of arbitration eligibility.
Nolan Jones was re-acquired by the Guardians before the 2025 campaign. Cleveland flipped Tyler Freeman for Jones, who’s always had raw power and the ability to work counts. However, Jones didn’t put up great results back in Cleveland. The 27-year-old slashed .211/.296/.304 (.600 OPS) across 403 plate appearances.
With C.J. Kayfus and Chase DeLauter on the 40-man roster, it only complicates Jones’ spot on the depth chart.
Chas McCormick was a hero for the Astros in 2022 and 2023. McCormick, though, has yet to be an impactful bat over the last two years. Heading into the offseason with a .569 OPS and on an Astros team with outfield depth, McCormick is in a tight spot.
Luke Raley is a first-time arbitration-eligible hitter. Raley hit just .202 (.630 OPS) in an injury-shortened season. And like with Houston, the Mariners’ depth chart will get more complicated come 2026. Dominic Canzone hit very well in 2025 and has been a regular throughout the playoffs.
Lastly, Christopher Morel has dealt with strikeout problems throughout his career. Just over the last two months of 2025, his 38.1% K% was seventh-worst (min. 100 PA) in the Majors.
Between Chandler Simpson, Jake Mangum, and Jonny DeLuca, etc., there are not many at-bats available in Tampa for Morel.
National League
- C Riley Adams (Nationals)
- RP Jorge Alcala (Cardinals)
- 1B/OF Jake Bauers (Brewers)
- SP Tony Gonsolin (Dodgers)
- RP Colin Holderman (Pirates)
- RP Evan Phillips (Dodgers)
- RP Mason Thompson (Nationals)
I’ll start with the two Dodgers on this list: Tony Gonsolin and Evan Phillips. Neither is exactly the typical non-tender candidate. Gonsolin was a 2022 NL All-Star, while Phillips is an effective reliever when healthy.
The “when” is the big sticking point there. Phillips underwent Tommy John surgery in the summer, while Gonsolin will likely miss a healthy chunk of 2026. The two could be atypical non-tender candidates, where the Dodgers non-tender the two or re-sign them to multi-year deals. Both would become free agents after 2026.
Washington has several non-tender candidates. Jake Irvin, a first-time arbitration-eligible pitcher, is one. However, the Nationals could elect to keep him, as the price will likely be low to retain him on a one-year pact.
Riley Adams, who slashed .204/285/.312 over the last three months, could be non-tendered. Mason Thompson, who bounced around between Triple-A and the Majors, is another option. Thompson walked 12 over 10.2 IP with Washington.
Jorge Alcala, who spent time with Boston, Minnesota, and St. Louis, is another candidate. Alcala has a booming fastball but regularly dealt with home run and walk troubles.
The Pirates have several non-tender candidates. Colin Holderman, who at one point was a high-leverage arm for Pittsburgh, had an ugly season in 2025. Like Alcala and Thompson, he too bounced between Triple-A and the Majors.
But with a hard sinker, Holderman shouldn’t have a problem latching on to another team if he were to be non-tendered. As a matter of fact, all the relievers listed here wouldn’t have a problem finding a new team. It’s just a matter of price.
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