#mlb-transactions

#mlb-transactions

Now that the season is over, we'll start seeing several players choose to become minor league free agents. Major League free agents (i.e. players with six-plus years of big league service time) will hit the open market five days after the end of the World Series, but eligible minor leaguers can already start electing free agency. To qualify, these players must have been all outrighted off their team's 40-man rosters during the 2025 season without being added back.

Sauer, 26, was a second-round pick by the Yankees back in 2017 but didn't make his major league debut until last year as a member of the Royals after being plucked from the Yankees in the Rule 5 draft. He made 14 appearances for Kansas City last year but struggled to a 7.71 ERA in that time. He walked (11) more opponents than he struck out (9) and surrendered three homers in just 16 1/3 innings of work.

Rortvedt joins the Dodgers for the first time since being acquired by the club as part of a three-team trade with the Tampa Bay Rays and Cincinnati Reds on July 31. The Dodgers added Rortvedt to replace Hunter Feduccia as the third catcher on their organizational depth chart. He now gets a chance with the MLB club as Will Smith deals with a right-hand injury after being hit by a foul ball.

Brooks, 30, signed a minor league deal with the Friars in the offseason and was selected to the big league roster in the middle of June, holding a spot for about six weeks but without much playing time.

Lou Trivino was released by the Los Angeles Dodgers after being designated for assignment, swiftly signing a minor league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies shortly after.

Chavez, 41, has experienced multiple roster changes this year, being signed to minor league deals, selected and then designated for assignment by Atlanta.

Aaron Wilkerson signed a minor league deal with the Cardinals and has been assigned to Triple-A Memphis after triggering an opt-out clause with the Reds.

Cortes has turned in a terrific .321/.418/.603 slash in 299 plate appearances in Triple-A, with 16 home runs and a 13.7% strikeout rate.

Gimenez was placed on the Toronto Blue Jays' 10-day injured list with a left ankle sprain after injuring it covering second base. He is hitting .218 with five home runs.

Billy McKinney, a former first-round pick, is returning to the MLB with the Texas Rangers after a successful spell in Triple-A, having slashed .295/.433/.487.

Garrett McDaniels has returned to the Los Angeles Dodgers after clearing waivers, following a brief stint with the Angels where he struggled on the mound.

McGough, a right-handed pitcher, signed a minor league contract with the Athletics after being outrighted by the D-backs, aiming to revive his career.

The Pirates announced that right-hander Dauri Moreta has been reinstated from the 60-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis, opening a 40-man roster spot.

Rivera's acceptance to stay with the Orioles allows him to keep his $1MM salary this year while providing valuable non-roster infield depth for the team.

Chad Wallach, a familiar name for the Angels, has signed a minor league deal, providing depth for the team as a catcher option.

"Catchers usually trend below league average offensively, and Rortvedt's offensive numbers were passable enough, but the Rays felt it was time for a change after his bat disappeared."

"...it's possible that this is the best result for Gómez in the short term. He came into 2025 out of options, which has led to him bouncing around the league in a long relief role."

Sims was on the mound for the Nats roughly an hour ago. He had a nightmare outing in a blowout loss to the Cardinals.

The Guardians announced they have outrighted Vince Velasquez back to Triple-A Columbus, after short stint on the big league roster where he did not play.