The 5 – Interesting MLB Non-Tenders

The White Sox did what I think most of us expected them to do today, which was non-tender Enyel de los Santos and Gavin Sheets.

Separate from the Sox, I was paying close attention to the Texas Rangers. When BeefLoaf and I wrote the trades with every team blogs, the Rangers were a team I felt had some difficult decisions to make. But they decide to tender contracts to all eligible players. That was not the case for all teams, of course, so let’s take a look around the league.

Brendan Rodgers

Rodgers is a name people have pointed to as a trade piece for the Rockies for the past 5-6 years. The problem is, the Rox trade very rarely. That puts them in this position more than it should. With that info and at first glance, Rodgers seems like a no-brainer pick up. Looking at career numbers, he’s a plus fielder with an OPS above .700 and a gold glove to his credit. The problem is that the glove has regressed to the tune of a negative 4 defensive runs saved and negative 3 outs above average in 2024. Not to mention his hitting numbers are massively inflated by his numbers at altitude (home OPS .826, away OPS .628). All that said, I’d be hard pressed to find a player on the Sox that should start at 2nd base instead of him.

Ramon Laureano

Not that Ramon you horny freaks.

This is a player that has been an enigma to me for most of his career. He’s a good hitter, wait he’s bad, wait he’s good. Can he play centerfield? Even last year, he was terrible for the Guardians and very good for the Braves. I can’t tell you exactly how it would happen, but I would be willing to bet he would be a plus WAR player like he’s been for most of his career. Albeit achieved in different ways. Even with Austin Slater being added, the outfield can use another capable right handed bat.

George Valera

Speaking of Guardians outfielders, George Valera is one that we discussed in the trades with every teams blogs. In fact, let’s look at what BeefLoaf wrote:

Yeah, he’s injured, but you gotta take some risks. Also, since that blog, he turned 24.

Eddys Leonard

Eddys Leonard has hit at every level of the minors. Over 6 years in the minors he has 75 HR and an OPS of .813. He was moved from the Dodgers to the Tigers in 2023 and has been taking up a 40-man roster spot since. This past year, he had multiple injuries that kept him off the field. It makes sense the Tigers would want to move on and open up the space on the 40, but it doesn’t mean he’s not worth a flyer for that infield bat.

Jordan Romano

Jordan Romano was about to be owed $8M+ this year, despite a stinky/injured 2024. It’s a no-brainer to non-tender him. However, from 2021-2023 he recorded 95 saves and in the low year of those three he had a 149 ERA+. The White Sox are a team that can say: if you can pass a physical, you are the closer. And that’s meaningful at this point in his career. Show you can close, get traded to a contender, do your thing, generate money. This was saved for last, because I want this one to happen.

-Chorizy-E