Eric Wagaman Elects Free Agency

Infielder Eric Wagaman has elected free agency, according to his transactions log at MLB.com. That was the expected outcome after the Mets outrighted him off the 40-man roster a week ago. He’s now on the market as a low-cost, minor league depth option.

Wagaman debuted with the Angels in 2024 and elected free agency at the end of that year following a DFA. He signed with the Marlins for the 2025 season and went on to take 514 plate appearances in 2025, his largest big league sample to date. Unfortunately, Wagaman struggled mightily at the plate en route to replacement-level numbers.

While he struck out less than 20% of the time, Wagaman only batted .250/.296/.378 with an 85 wRC+ for Miami. An above-average 46.5% hard-hit rate was about the only positive on his profile, as his bottom-line numbers lagged far behind the league average output at his primary position of first base. Defensive Runs Saved and other metrics saw Wagaman’s glovework as passable, but he would have had to be a premium defender to make up for the lack of value at the plate. FanGraphs valued Wagaman at -0.4 wins above replacement in 2025.

This year was more of the same. Wagaman posted a 67 wRC+ in just 52 plate appearances with the Mets and played a handful of innings at the infield and outfield corners. He did have a 108 wRC+ for the team’s Triple-A affiliate in Syracuse, though that production came in just 148 plate appearances. Wagaman had struggled badly with the Twins’ top affiliate before the Mets claimed him off waivers at the end of April.

The 29-year-old Wagaman figures to sign somewhere as a depth piece. He swings from the right side and fared much better against southpaws (115 wRC+) than righties (69 wRC+) last year, so perhaps there’s a path forward as a short-side platoon bat. The first base market is on the lighter side. Jake Bauers and Ty France are the top two (and perhaps only) everyday options. France is projected for a two-year, $32MM deal following his breakout with the Padres. Bauers received the $23.15MM qualifying offer from the Brewers, and 75% of MLBTR readers believe he will accept it.