Chicago Cubs fans will always remember Kyle Schwarber and Albert Almora for Game 7 of the 2016 World Series.
Schwarber had missed almost the entire regular season after tearing up his knee that April, not returning to the Cubs' roster until the first game of the World Series. Despite the lack of game action, he got cleared to play a week before and told then-baseball boss Theo Epstein, "You've got to give me the chance to do this."
Schwarber was in the lineup as the DH for Game 7 and led off the 10th inning with a base hit to right field, his third hit of the game. Almora then ran for Schwarber; and when Kris Bryant followed with a fly ball to the warning track in center field, Almora alertly and aggressively tagged up. That set the stage for an intentional walk to Anthony Rizzo and then Ben Zobrist's go-ahead double that would send the Cubs to the world championship.
The former first-round picks -- Almora in 2012, Schwarber in 2014 -- are no longer members of the Cubs, as both were non-tendered. The two Cubs headline a list of players on 40-man rosters not offered 2021 contracts before Wednesday night's non-tender deadline, making them free agents. Although players who were non-tendered are free agents, they can still re-sign with their teams, presumably at a reduced rate.
Bryant -- rumored to be on the chopping block, as he'll be due an estimated $19 million via arbitration and coming off a poor 2020 season -- was offered a contract. So was New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez, another big name who struggled in the shortened season.
Including two players (Kevin Gausman and Marcus Stroman) who accepted qualifying offers from their teams, only five of the top 100 free agents in Kiley McDaniel's rankings have signed so far -- and four of those agreed to one-year deals. Now, the free-agent market has become even deeper.
"This is a nightmare for the players' association," MLB Network analyst Ron Darling said. "The one thing [former MLBPA executive director] Marvin Miller never wanted was a glut of players out on the free-agent market."
Schwarber has hit 105 home runs since 2017, including a career-high 38 in 2019, but he never became the high-average hitter Epstein once predicted. Schwarber hit 11 home runs in 2020 but batted just .188, and with a projected salary of $8 million to $9 million for 2021, the Cubs let him go. Like many teams, the Cubs are looking to cut payroll after the economic losses suffered this past season. Almora's projected salary is just $1.6 million, but he didn't hit much in 2019 and received just 34 plate appearances in 2020, hitting .167 in his limited action.
Schwarber would be a potential fit for the Chicago White Sox, who need a DH and another lefty bat. The San Diego Padres also could slot in Schwarber at DH, if the universal DH is approved. The Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves, Washington Nationals and Minnesota Twins (if they don't re-sign Nelson Cruz) are among Schwarber's other possible destinations, and the Cubs didn't rule out a return to Chicago on a lesser deal.
Some of the other intriguing names non-tendered on Wednesday, with estimated 2021 salaries, according to Cot's Baseball Contracts:
Eddie Rosario (Minnesota Twins)
Projected salary: $9.5 million
The 29-year-old Rosario has hit .281/.317/.493 over the past four seasons with 96 home runs -- including 13 in 57 games in 2020 -- but he is getting expensive, and the Twins have prospects Alex Kirilloff and Brent Rooker ready for a chance. The Twins placed Rosario on waivers, but no team claimed him, which is more evidence that teams are simply waiting for the glut of players to hit the market. Rosario should draw a lot of interest, and one possible destination could be the Twins' American League Central rivals in Cleveland. The Indians' corner outfielders had the worst wOBA in the majors, so they could use Rosario's power; and if nobody wanted him at $9.5 million, maybe that means even Cleveland will be able to afford him. And count the Nationals among teams that might be interested.
Adam Duvall (Atlanta Braves)
Projected salary: $5 million
This one is a bit of a surprise, as Duvall hit 16 home runs in 2020, third in the National League. The Braves, however, did already sign Charlie Morton and Drew Smyly for a combined $26 million, and maybe letting Duvall go is a sign they want to make a hard run at re-signing Marcell Ozuna. The Athletic reported that the Braves could still consider bringing Duvall back, especially if the DH rule is again implemented in the NL. Duvall is another possible fit for Cleveland, as well as the Mariners, Marlins, Nationals, Tigers, Rockies and Cardinals -- all teams needing some power from their corner outfielders.
Nomar Mazara (Chicago White Sox) and Carlos Rodon (White Sox)
Projected salaries: $5.75 million and $4.5 million
An easy call here for the White Sox, as neither was productive in 2020. Mazara is still just 25, but he never improved from his rookie season in 2016 and hit .228 with one home run in 2020. Mazara probably will land with a second-division club such as the Tigers or Orioles to help fill out their roster. Rodon, the third overall pick in 2014, returned from Tommy John surgery and pitched 7⅔ innings. Even before the surgery, he had never curbed the wildness that prevented him from becoming a top-of-the-rotation starter.
Maikel Franco (Kansas City Royals)
Projected salary: $5.25 million
Franco never lived up his early promise with the Phillies, showing moderate power through the years but subpar on-base percentages. He was decent for the Royals in 2020, playing all 60 games and hitting .278/.321/.457, but his defense at third isn't great, and his career WAR is 2.2 over six seasons. The Brewers, Blue Jays, Rangers and Tigers are among the teams needing a third baseman (aside from the Royals).
Archie Bradley (Cincinnati Reds)
Projected salary: $4.6 million
This was mildly surprising, since the Reds traded for Bradley in August and it isn't related to his performance on the field. Still, other than a 1.73 ERA for the Diamondbacks in 2017, he has been more good than great as a reliever, with a 3.51 ERA over the past three seasons. The Phillies and Blue Jays, two teams looking for a closer, will certainly be interested in him. The Reds also non-tendered outfielder Brian Goodwin ($2.6 million) and backup catcher Curt Casali ($2 million). All are useful players, leaving Cincinnati's 40-man roster at just 31 players. Ugh.
Hansel Robles (Los Angeles Angels)
Projected salary: $4 million
One of five relievers the Angels non-tendered (along with Matt Andriese, Justin Anderson, Keynan Middleton and Hoby Milner), Robles had saved 23 games with a 2.48 ERA in 2019, but he allowed 20 runs in 16⅔ innings in 2020. He has a career 3.91 ERA and has always been homer-prone and a little wild, except for 2019, so he isn't a real good bet to get another chance as a closer.
Hanser Alberto (Baltimore Orioles)
Projected salary: $3 million
Alberto hit .305 in 2019 and .283 in 2020, but he doesn't walk and doesn't have much power, and the Orioles never played him at shortstop, making him a less-than-ideal utility guy. He could surface as a backup on a good team or maybe as a starting second baseman on a bad team.
Jose Martinez (Chicago Cubs)
Projected salary: $2.2 million
Martinez had been a productive platoon hitter for the Cardinals for a few seasons (.323/.401/.570 against left-handers from 2017 to 2019), but he struggled with the Rays and the Cubs in 2020, including a 0-for-21 stint with Chicago. Given his defensive shortcomings, he is probably looking at a non-roster invite to spring training for a team looking for a right-handed bench bat.
David Dahl (Colorado Rockies)
Projected salary: $2.55 million
I thought the Rockies might non-tender Jon Gray, who ended 2020 on the IL with a sore shoulder; but instead, they cut ties with Dahl, an All-Star in 2019, as well as starting catcher Tony Wolters. Dahl slugged over .500 in both 2018 and 2019, but he has always had trouble staying healthy, including playing just 24 games in 2020. Wolters is probably the worst hitter this side of Jeff Mathis to receive extended playing time in recent years. Both will get jobs somewhere, and Dahl is another interesting fit for the Indians -- or the White Sox, Red Sox or A's (among potential contenders).