(clears throat) Ah, the delightful carnage of baseball’s non-tender deadline. Where dreams are shattered, and hopes are crushed. It’s like a festive holiday, but with more tantrums and fewer presents. (chuckles)
Let’s dive into the most intriguing names cast aside by American League teams, shall we? And tomorrow, we’ll tackle the National League, because who doesn’t love a good doubleheader of despair?
First up, we have the Angels’ Patrick Sandoval. Now, this young lefty had all the makings of a top prospect, but it seems he’s regressed faster than a spin class on a hangover Sunday. (smirks) Still, he’s got a decent fastball and a mean streak, which is just enough to make some team think they can fix him. After all, as the great philosopher, Dolly Parton, once said, “If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.” (winks)
Next, we’ve got the Blue Jays’ Jordan Romano, who went from underrated reliever to… well, most meltdowns in an injury-plagued season. (dramatic sigh) It’s like the baseball gods decided to test his mettle, and, unfortunately, he failed. But fear not, dear Romano, for you’re still young and have a wicked slider. Some team will take a chance on you, mostly because they’ll think, “Hey, we can fix him, he’s not that broken.” (chuckles)
And then, there’s Dillon Tate, who… (pauses for comedic effect)…apparently existed on the Blue Jays’ roster. Congratulations, Dillon, you’re now a part of baseball trivia history! (smirks)
Moving on, we’ve got the Mariners’ Josh Rojas, who was part of a trade that’s starting to look like a bad Tinder date. (laughs) “Hey, I’ll give you this guy, and you give me that guy, and we’ll just pretend it didn’t happen.” Rojas had a hot start, but then his bat turned colder than a Seattle winter. (chuckles)
The Rays, being the thrifty team they are, decided to non-tender Dylan Carlson and Colin Poche. Carlson, the young outfielder, had a storybook acquisition, but unfortunately, his OPS+ didn’t quite live up to the fairy tale. (winks) Poche, on the other hand, had a decent season, but the Rays are like the in-laws who always want to pay less for dinner. (laughs)
Last but not least, we’ve got the White Sox’s Gavin Sheets, who… (pauses for dramatic effect)…well, let’s just say his batting average was more fragile than a dropped ice cream cone on a hot summer day. (chuckles) And Enyel De Los Santos, who gave up more home runs than a minor league team on a Sunday morning. (laughs)
And that’s a wrap, folks! The non-tender deadline: where dreams are shattered, and teams are like, “Meh, we’ll just get someone else.” (smirks) Until next time, when we’ll explore the National League’s rejects, stay classy, and remember: in baseball, you’re only as good as your last at-bat. (winks)
Here is the rewritten article:
Image credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Translated by José M. Hernández Lagunes
The deadline for Major League clubs to offer contracts to players who opted for salary arbitration has come and gone, leaving 62 players without a team. As we delve into the aftermath, we’ll examine the most intriguing names released by American League teams, with a focus on their strengths, weaknesses, and potential for redemption.
Angels: Patrick Sandoval
Sandoval’s struggles have been well-documented, with a steep decline in performance over the past two seasons. The 26-year-old lefty’s inability to command his fastball and secondary pitches has made him a liability. Despite his high arm slot and 94 mph four-seam fastball, Sandoval’s upside is limited by his lack of control, resulting in a .356/.393/.475 batting line against on first pitches. However, his potential for growth and adaptability make him an attractive option for teams willing to take a chance.
Blue Jays: Jordan Romano, Dillon Tate
Jordan Romano’s career has taken a drastic turn for the worse, with elbow inflammation sidelining him for three weeks at the start of the season and again from June until the end. The erstwhile ace reliever’s regression has been stark, but his two-pitch arsenal, featuring a fastball and slider, remains formidable. Romano’s $4.5 million salary in 2024 makes him an attractive option for teams willing to take on injury risk in pursuit of upside. Meanwhile, Dillon Tate’s non-tender comes as no surprise, given his underwhelming performance.
Mariners: Josh Rojas, Austin Voth
Josh Rojas’s tenure with the Mariners was marked by inconsistency, as he struggled to replicate his early-season success. Despite his solid defense, Rojas’s batting line plummeted to .187/.272/.284 after a promising start. Teams may still be willing to pay $5 million for his services, but the Mariners have opted to move on. Austin Voth, on the other hand, put together a career-best season, but his unimpressive swing and walk rates make him an unlikely candidate for a raise.
Rays: Dylan Carlson, Colin Poche
Dylan Carlson’s acquisition by the Rays was met with optimism, but the outfielder’s struggles persisted. His OPS+ actually increased by 31 points, but that still left him with an underwhelming mark of 78. Carlson’s youth and strikeout-vs-walk rate offer glimmers of hope, but he’ll need to improve his batting speed and production to re-establish himself in the big leagues. Meanwhile, Colin Poche’s arbitration process with the Rays was a non-starter, given his overperformance in 2024 and declining peripherals.
White Sox: Gavin Sheets, Enyel De Los Santos
Gavin Sheets’s struggles are a mystery, with a noticeable decline in performance that has left him without a team. The former slugger’s inability to produce has been stark, with a batting line that’s plummeted to unrecognizable depths. Enyel De Los Santos, on the other hand, struggled to contain home runs, allowing 10 in just 64 innings. While his slider remains effective, De Los Santos’s lack of fastball velocity and control make him a less desirable option for teams.
