While players of that caliber reaching free agency via a non-tender contract are extremely rare, many others are let go early by their clubs only to make an impact elsewhere. That could be as a fixture in the lineup or rotation, or simply as a solid contributor off the bench or out of the bullpen. Let’s take a look at five hitters who hit free agency after last week’s no-tender deadline and could be worth keeping an eye on this upcoming offseason. Players are listed in alphabetical order, with their ages for the 2026 season in parentheses.
JJ Bleday (28)
Bleday has had quite a reputation, as he was drafted fourth overall by the Marlins in 2019. A consensus top-50 prospect in the game prior to his MLB debut in 2022, Bleday struggled for the Marlins and A’s through his first two seasons in the majors before enjoying what appeared to be a breakout performance in 2024. That year, he slashed .243/.327/.437 (120 wRC+), lowered his strikeout rate to just 19.5% while maintaining a solid 10.4% walk rate, and showed enough pop in his bat to hit 20 home runs and a whopping 43 doubles. He was a below-average but not disastrous midfield defender, and that combined with his strong offensive production allowed him to put together a 3.2 fWAR season.
Unfortunately, Bleday’s star fell back to earth this year with a rough season that saw his strikeout rate climb back up to 26.5% while his power disappeared, leaving him with a .212/.294/.404 slash line and a wRC+ of just 90. Things got so bleak that the A’s optioned Bleday to the minors several times this season. Perhaps a change of scenery can help Bleday recapture the form he showed in 2024, and it’s not hard to imagine an outfield-needy team like the Royals or Guardians snapping him up. One sign of optimism about Bleday is his performance over the final two months of the season, when he slashed .252/.306/.495 (115 wRC+) with six home runs and seven doubles in 111 plate appearances after being recalled to the majors on August 2.
Nathaniel Lowe (30)
Lowe is by far the most established hitter on this list, having a Gold Glove, a Silver Slugger Award, and a World Series ring to his name for his work with the Rangers from 2021-2024. During that four-year span, he slashed a strong .274/.359/.432 with 78 home runs and a 124 wRC+. That’s a solid performance and left him good for about three WAR per season at first base. However, Lowe was shipped from Texas to DC last offseason and his time with the Nationals left a lot to be desired.
He hit just .216/.292/.373 in 119 games before being cut loose from the organization, and while he bounced back to a .280/.370/.420 slash line during his time with the Red Sox, closer to what he’d posted in the past, that 34-game stint in Boston brought his season-long wRC+ back to 91. While it’s unlikely Lowe would have this kind of will receive attention. like Pete Alonso or even Luis Arraez This winter, he will still be an upgrade to a club that needs help at first base, such as the Padres, Diamondbacks or Twins.
Christopher Morel (27)
Morel is the youngest player on this list by over a year and may have the most upside of any player on this list, but there are significant flaws that could keep him from finding a job anywhere. The youngster’s big league career started with a bang in 2022, and during his first two seasons with the Cubs, Morel hit .241/.311/.471 with 42 home runs in 220 games and a wRC+ of 115. While he had a whopping 31.6% strikeout rate and was a below-average fielder everywhere he played on the diamond, his impressive power and ability to draw walks were enough to make him a to make a good player. above average hitter.
However, the past two years have been brutal for the slugger as his production has largely disappeared. Morel’s first half with the Cubs in 2024 was unusual, as his numbers dropped (91 wRC+) despite most of his peripherals moving in the right direction, including a strikeout rate that dropped to 24.5%, while his walk rate rose to 11.1% with 18 home runs. While the usual above-average production wasn’t quite there, the Rays were interested enough to make him a return center for Isaac Paredes at the trade deadline. Unfortunately, Morel’s production completely collapsed during his time with the Rays, as he hit just .208/.277/.355 (79 wRC+) in 495 plate appearances over the past two years. Although it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a team trying to unlock the upside. Morel flashed early in his career with the Cubs, given his youth and three years of remaining team control, his lack of defensive ability could make him a liability for many teams.
Mike Tauchman (35)
Tauchman is the oldest player on the list and returns after also being featured in last year’s edition of this post. Tauchman, who was undrafted by the Cubs last winter, remained in Chicago via a deal with the White Sox and generally lived up to his contract with the South Siders, hitting .263/.356/.400 (115 wRC+) in 385 plate appearances. Tauchman may not still be the capable center field defender he was earlier in his career, but it would be difficult for a team to find a player who can more reliably provide on-base capabilities.
That’s especially true of the expected price tag, which could attract candidates with tight budgets this winter. Among the 229 players who have recorded at least 1,000 plate appearances since the start of the 2023 season, Tauchman’s .359 OBP ranks 21st, sandwiched between Rafael Devers And Kyle Schwarber. Of course, his production lags far behind those star players thanks to a lack of power, as he hasn’t even hit 10 home runs in a season since 2019. Still, he would be a valuable addition to a team like the Royals, Astros or Rays in a bench or platoon role.
Ramón Urias (32)
Urias stands out within this group as the most valuable defender of the bunch. Bleday and Tauchman are both limited to the outfield and profile poorly in center, while Lowe is a first base-only defenseman. Morel has experience at valuable positions like center field and third base, but scores terribly poorly there based on defensive traits and profiles that work best as a DH. Urias, on the other hand, is a Gold Glove winner at third base and also has significant experience at both second base and shortstop. His +5 outs above average around the infield this year ranked in the 88th percentile among all fielders.
Typically, Urias pairs that strong glove with a decent bat, making him a solid second-tier, regular or quality part-time player. In parts of six seasons in the Majors, Urias is a career .257/.321/.403 (104 wRC+) hitter who was consistently at or above league average until this season. This year, however, Urias only hit .241/.292/.384 (87 wRC+). That performance is partially undermined by a rough patch in Houston after he was dealt to the Astros at the trade deadline, but even his performance with Baltimore was below league average. As questionable as Urias’ numbers were this year, his overall record and ability to provide solid downfield defense should make him an attractive addition to a team, especially given the limited infield market with few everyday options. The Yankees, Brewers, Mariners and Tigers are among the many teams Urias could make at least some sense of.
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