The Philadelphia Phillies have Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto at the front of their minds, but those aren’t their only players heading to free agency.
While the big-name Major League Baseball free agents won’t hit the open market until after the World Series, those who end the season off their teams’ 40-man rosters can become free agents early if they meet certain qualifications. Devin Sweet of the Phillies was one of those players, having been outrighted off the 40-man roster in August.
Sweet, who appeared in seven major league games for the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics two years ago, spent nearly the entire season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He was designated for assignment on the day of the trade deadline, but went unclaimed on waivers.
On Friday, Sweet elected free agency, according to the transaction log on his official MLB.com roster page. He will more than likely seek a minor-league contract this winter with an invitation to spring training.
The nicest thing one could say about Sweet’s season in Triple-A is that he ate innings. In 46 appearances, he pitched to a 5.08 ERA with a 1.44 WHIP. He allowed 47 hits and 27 walks, while striking out 49 batters.
Once signed as an undrafted free agent by the Mariners, Sweet has also spent time in the farm systems of the San Francisco Giants and Detroit Tigers.
At age 29, Sweet has struggled for a long time (seven years in the minors) to break through at the big-league level. Perhaps next season will bring him better luck.
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