This past offseason saw many free agents have to wait a few months before they signed their new deals.
There were also instances where players who were clearly major league-caliber, weren’t able to secure a major league deal, and instead settled for one in the minor league variety.
Here are some players that have been productive after signing a minor league deal.
Eric Sogard - Toronto Blue Jays
Sogard didn’t receive much interest after hitting just 13-97 (.134) for the Brewers in 2018. He has been one of Toronto’s most reliable hitters this year with a .306 batting average and 10 home runs (had 11 in 1,556 career at-bats prior to 2019).
Derek Dietrich - Cincinnati Reds
It was somewhat of a surprise Dietrich didn’t receive a major league deal after slugging 16 homers with the Marlins in 2018 and posting four straight above-average OPS+ marks. While he has slipped a bit recently, he has hit 19 long balls this year with 12 coming in a stretch from May 3-May 28.