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Blue Jays: Looking at non-tenders from around the league
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Photo credit: © Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Nov 21, 2025, 18:00 ESTUpdated: Nov 21, 2025, 17:57 EST
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As expected, the Toronto Blue Jays tendered all available players.
Those players are Daulton Varsho, Eric Lauer, Ernie Clement, and Tyler Heineman. At the end of the season, relievers Dillon Tate, Ryan Burr, and Nick Sandlin were eligible for arbitration but were eventually outrighted and became free agents.
Arbitration projections are as follows for the four players, according to MLB Trade Rumors: Varsho is projected to earn $9.7 million, Lauer is projected to earn $4.4 million, Clement is projected to earn $4.3 million, and Heineman is projected to earn $1 million.
All of this was known heading into Friday’s 6:00 PM ET non-tender deadline, but what about others from around the league? Well, former Blue Jay Alek Manoah was non-tendered by the Atlanta Braves, making him a free agent for the first time in his career. The Blue Jays’ former ace didn’t pitch in 2025, and only made five starts in 2024 before Tommy John surgery derailed his season.
Another former Blue Jay who was non-tendered was Nick Frasso. The 27-year-old last played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and was acquired by the Blue Jays alongside Moises Brito before the 2022 trade deadline in exchange for Mitch White and Alex De Jesus. All four players are free agents now.
In Frasso’s case, the right-handed pitcher’s season was a tough one, posting a 5.49 ERA and 5.68 FIP in 77 innings pitched. Frasso missed the entirety of the 2024 season, with his last quality season coming in 2023.
Sticking with former Blue Jays pitchers, Sem Robberse was non-tendered by the St. Louis Cardinals. Robberse was traded ahead of the 2023 trade deadline alongside Adam Kloffenstein for Jordan Hicks. The Dutch pitcher received Tommy John surgery in May and had a 7.36 ERA and 4.52 FIP in 14.2 innings pitched before the injury.
Former Blue Jays catcher Reese McGuire was non-tendered by the Chicago Cubs. Last season, the 30-year-old slashed .226/.245/.444 with nine home runs in 140 plate appearances. He’s carved out a role as a backup catcher.
The Texas Rangers had a field day with non-tenders, as Adolis García and Jonah Heim were two of the four notable players to hit free agency. It’s been a couple of years since García was an above-average hitter, as he slashed .227/.271/.394 with 19 home runs in 547 plate appearances in 2025. Back in 2023, the outfielder slashed .245/.328/.508 with 39 home runs in 632 plate appearances.
Heim isn’t a bad backup catcher. Last season was an off-year for the 30-year-old, as he slashed .213/.271/.332 with 11 home runs in 433 plate appearances, along with below-average defence. At his best, he’s an average hitter who can give strong defence and 15 home runs a season. He is one of the better free agent catchers.
Baltimore Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle was expected to be non-tendered, but that didn’t happen. Last season, the 28-year-old slashed .250/.286/.367 with seven home runs in 357 plate appearances for a -0.4 fWAR, his worst season of his career. When he’s at his best, the right-handed hitter can hit over 15 home runs, hitting 33 in 2021.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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