2025 Transactions: Barlow, Loaisiga, Hays Headed to Free Agency

Free agency action can officially commence on November 6. But before then, players and teams continue to sort out options. The Yankees are retaining one of key relievers from 2025, while also letting go of a longtime pitcher. Additionally, the Rangers made two moves, one of which was to add bullpen depth.

Yankees make reliever moves

The Yankees will retain Tim Hill‘s services, as the team picked up his $3MM club option for the 2026 campaign. However, Jonathan Loaisiga will head to the free agent market, as the Yankees declined his $5MM team option.

Loaisiga pitched in 30 games this season for the Yankees. Injuries limited him to 20 total appearances between 2023 and 2024. A back injury forced him to the IL in August, and he didn’t return to the team.

Hill, who re-signed with the Yankees last winter, posted a tidy 3.09 ERA and pitched in 70 games this past season. The 35-year-old is one of the most unique pitchers in baseball, thanks in large part to his low arm angle and heavy ground-ball (64.2%) tendencies.

Three Reds headed to free agency

The Reds let three players walk to free agency on November 5. Brent Suter did not have his $3MM team option picked up, while Scott Barlow‘s $6.5MM team option was declined. Austin Hays‘ $12MM mutual option was also not picked up.

Hays is arguably the most interesting of the three, as the ex-Oriole hit 15 home runs and was a steady performer for the Reds.

Rangers claim two

The Rangers made two notable moves on November 5, both of which involved the A’s. Texas traded for catcher Willie MacIver and claimed Michel Otanez off waivers.

Otanez only pitched in six Major League games this season for the Athletics. He started 2025 on the IL and, after he was activated in May, was demoted a few weeks later. Otanez then missed two more months on the IL.

The 28-year-old struck out 55 over 34 innings in 2024. Otanez is a hard sinker/slider/four-seam reliever. He’ll add depth to a Rangers bullpen that lost several players to free agency this past weekend.

Other moves

Rangers outfielders Billy McKinney and Dustin Harris became free agents. Joc Pederson, meanwhile, did not opt out of his $18.5MM player option.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. ($13.5MM) picked up his player option, while Tyler O’Neill declined to opt out of his deal, per the AP.

Jorge Polanco did not pick up his player option. The Mariners gave him an $8MM club option for 2026 last winter when he signed, one that vested into a player option after he reached the 450 plate appearance marker. He’ll test the market after hitting 26 home runs last season.

The Mariners acquired former Ray Cole Wilcox in a cash deal.

Jesus Tinoco (Marlins), Valente Bellozo (Marlins), Kyle Nelson (Diamondbacks), and Casey Kelly (Diamondbacks) were among the players outrighted on November 5.