Blue Jays non-tender Adam Cimber, reliever becomes free agent
Posted November 17, 2023 7:06 pm.
Last Updated November 17, 2023 9:33 pm.
The Toronto Blue Jays announced that they non-tendered reliever Adam Cimber before Friday’s 8 p.m. ET deadline, making him a free agent.
All other players were given contracts.
Major league teams have the option to non-tender arbitration-eligible players instead of agreeing on a salary for the new season. Cimber was projected to earn around $3.2 million for 2024.
The move frees up a spot on Toronto’s 40-man roster. With the transaction now official, the 33-year-old will be a free agent for the first time in his career.
Cimber was acquired from the Miami Marlins in June 2021, along with outfielder Corey Dickerson, in exchange for a prospect and infielder, Joe Panik. He settled in as one of the Blue Jays’ most consistent relievers, pitching to a 1.69 ERA across 39 games.
He followed up the success in 2022, appearing in a major-league-high 77 games out of the bullpen for Toronto and finishing with a 2.80 ERA and 58 strikeouts across 70 2/3 innings.
A right shoulder impingement limited Cimber to 22 games in 2023 and prevented him from pitching in the majors after June 18. Before being placed on the injured list, the sidearming 33-year-old had posted a 7.40 ERA with 12 strikeouts and seven walks in 20 2/3 innings.
The Blue Jays have several arbitration-eligible players, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Jordan Romano, Alejandro Kirk, and Daulton Varsho, to name a few. Guerrero is likely to earn just over $20 million in arbitration.
Santiago Espinal, projected to earn around $2.5 million in arbitration, was seen as another non-tender candidate but will remain with the club for now.
An All-Star in 2022, Espinal appeared in 93 games this season, hitting .248/.310/.335 with two home runs and 25 RBIs.
Former Blue Jays Rowdy Tellez, Daniel Vogelbach, and Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff are among the notable players not to be tendered contracts on Friday.
