Obviously, major league free agents get the majority of the attention, but there are other free agents in every organization. Most of the players who become free agents get there through the minor league free agency rules. The rules can be a little tricky to follow, but we’ll try to make them fan friendly.
Players must complete six full minor league seasons and they must be on a contract that expires at the end of the current season. Any time that a player spends on suspension does not count as service time. Time spent on the IL, bereavement list or other reserve lists does count toward service time. If a team adds the player to their 40-man roster before the fifth day after the World Series – this year that date is November 5th – they are no longer to become a minor league free agent. From that point on, the player is governed by MLB free agency rules.
The Phillies have already signed three of their potential minor league free agents: RHP Gabriel Barbosa, RHP Andrew Bechtold, and infielder Jose Colmenares.
Other players become free agents in another way; through being outrighted. A player who is on the 40-man roster and is outrighted to remove him from the roster can refuse the move and elect to become a free agent if he has five or more seasons of major league service time. Players who have been outrighted once already can opt to become a free agent if they are outrighted for a second time, and each successive time that they are outrighted. Those players can elect free agency rather than accept the assignment to the minor leagues either at the time they are outrighted or at the end of that season. Two players have already chosen this route with the Phillies: infielder Donovan Walton and reliever Devin Sweet. Both are now free agents.
Here is the list of Phillies players who are not on the 40-man roster, and are eligible for minor league free agency. Keep in mind that the Phillies can add any of these players to the 40-man roster prior to November 5th to prevent them from becoming minor league free agents:
Pitchers
- RHP Phil Bickford
- RHP Eiberson Castellano
- RHP Gunner Mayer
- RHP Adonis Medina
- RHP Gabe Mosser
- RHP Lucas Sims
- RHP Jacob Waguespack
Catchers
Infielders
- Christian Arroyo
- Erik Brito
- Rodolfo Castro
- Nick Dunn
- Luis Verdugo
Outfielders
For a rundown of the Phillies major league free agents and offseason questions facing the Phillies, click here.
Please scroll down to comment on this story or to give it a rating. We appreciate your feedback!
Disclaimer: Some of the products featured or linked on this website may generate income for Philly Baseball News through affiliate commissions, sponsorships, or direct sales. We only promote items we believe in, but please assume that PBN may earn a cut from qualifying purchases that you make using a link on this site.
Privacy Policy | Contact us
© 2025 LV Sports Media. All rights reserved.
Philly Baseball News 