Outfielder Austin Hays, right-handed pitcher Kyle Finnegan — both former All-Stars — and second baseman Brendan Rodgers were among 62 players who became free agents on Friday when their teams did not offer them contracts for 2025.
Right-hander Jordan Romano, left-hander Patrick Sandoval, and outfielders Michael Tauchman and Ramón Laureano were also included in the group of players released, which also featured 36 players who would have been eligible for salary arbitration.
Washington released right-hander Tanner Rainey, the last remaining player from their 2019 World Series championship team.
More than 20 players reached agreements before the deadline, including San Francisco outfielder Mike Yastrzemski ($9.25 million), Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Tony Gonsolin ($5.4 million), and New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham ($5 million).
Hays, 29, was an All-Star in 2023, hitting .275 with 16 home runs and 67 RBIs for Baltimore. He was traded to the Phillies on July 26 and batted .256 with two home runs and six RBIs in 22 games while dealing with a kidney infection.
Finnegan, 33, was an All-Star this year for Washington and finished with 38 saves.
In addition, Kansas City acquired second baseman Jonathan India, the 2021 NL Rookie of the Year, in a trade with Cincinnati. He will play alongside star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. The Royals also acquired outfielder Joey Wiemer and sent right-hander Brady Singer to Cincinnati.
Pittsburgh obtained reliever Peter Strzelecki from Cleveland for cash.
The deadline marked the last chance for teams to drop arbitration-eligible players without having to commit to at least 30 days of termination pay if the player is released. The flurry of cuts and contracts left 169 players eligible to exchange proposed arbitration salaries with their teams on January 9.
Other players who agreed to one-year deals included Baltimore third baseman Emmanuel Rivera ($1 million), Cleveland right-hander Ben Lively ($2.25 million) and left-hander Sam Hentges ($1,337,500), Detroit second baseman Zach McKinstry ($1.65 million) and third baseman Andy Ibáñez ($1.4 million), Minnesota right-hander Michael Tonkin ($1 million), Yankees right-hander JT Brubaker ($1.82 million), Texas right-handers Dane Dunning ($2.66 million) and Josh Sborz ($1.1 million), Toronto right-hander Erik Swanson ($3 million), Chicago Cubs right-handers Julian Merryweather ($1,225,000) and Keegan Thompson ($850,000), Cincinnati infielder Santiago Espinal ($2.4 million), Colorado outfielder Sam Hilliard ($1 million), Milwaukee catcher Eric Haase ($1.35 million), New York Mets right-hander Sean Reid-Foley ($800,000 in majors, $386,375 in minors), Philadelphia right-hander José Ruiz ($1,255,000) and catcher Garrett Stubbs ($925,000 in majors, $450,000 in minors), and San Francisco right-hander Austin Warren ($785,000 in majors, $350,000 in minors).
Grisham can earn $250,000 in performance bonuses based on plate appearances: $50,000 each for 350 and each additional 50 through 550.
Ruiz can earn $45,000 in performance bonuses for games: $20,000 for 30 and $25,000 for 40.
Players who reached one-year deals on Thursday included Dodgers right-hander Dustin May ($2,135,000), Cubs catcher Matt Thaiss ($1 million in majors, $400,000 in minors), Colorado left-hander Lucas Gilbreath ($785,000), and Washington right-hander Mason Thompson ($770,000 in majors, $374,600 in minors).
San Diego infielder/outfielder Tyler Wade agreed to a one-year contract worth $900,000, which includes an $850,000 salary for this year and a $1 million team option for 2026 with a $50,000 buyout. Wade can earn $150,000 in performance bonuses each year based on plate appearances: $25,000 each for 100 and 150, and $50,000 each for 200 and 250.
Additionally, the Mets agreed to minor league contracts with first baseman Joey Meneses and catcher Jakson Reetz.
