Major League Baseball’s non-tender deadline came and went and a handful of players are now free agents. Teams had until 8 p.m. ET on Friday to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players. Those who were tendered remain under team control and those who didn’t can now test the open market.
The Toronto Blue Jays had 13 players eligible for arbitration this winter and the team opted to keep 12 of them while cutting loose right-handed pitcher Adam Cimber.
ROSTER UPDATE: We've non-tendered RHP Adam Cimber.
All remaining unsigned players on our 40-man roster have been tendered contracts for 2024. pic.twitter.com/xNzXp8d3ie
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) November 18, 2023
The 2023 season was a difficult one for Cimber, as he posted a 7.40 ERA over 22 appearances before landing on the Injured List with a shoulder impingement in June. The side-arm-throwing righty was eventually moved to the 60-day IL and didn’t return to the active roster for the remainder of the season.
The Blue Jays have Jordan Romano, Tim Mayza, Erik Swanson, Yimi Garcia, Chad Green, Genesis Cabrera, and Trevor Richards in line to return to the team’s bullpen in 2024, so it isn’t overly surprising they moved on from Cimber, as the 33-year-old was projected to earn $3.2 million in arbitration.
Cimber shouldn’t have difficulty finding a team in free agency given his track record of being an effective middle reliever. Between his MLB debut in 2018 and the strongest reason of his career in 2022, Cimber posted a 3.20 ERA in 278 2/3 innings over 301 appearances. His 77 appearances out of Toronto’s bullpen in 2022 were tied with Cleveland closer Emmanuel Clase for the most in baseball.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!