The Philadelphia Phillies are focused on Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto, but they aren’t the only players that will be available in free agency. While the big-name Major League Baseball free agents won’t hit the market until after the World Series, individuals who finish the season on their teams’ 40-man rosters can become free agents sooner if they meet specific criteria.
Devin Sweet of the Phillies was one of those players, having been dropped from the 40-man roster in August.
Sweet, who played seven major league games for the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics two years ago, spent nearly the entire season in Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He was designated for assignment on the trade deadline day, but went unclaimed on waivers. Sweet elected free agency on Friday, according to the transaction log on his official MLB.com roster page. He will most likely pursue a minor-league contract this winter, with an invitation to spring training.
Sweet’s Triple-A season was best described as one in which he ate innings. In 46 appearances, he posted a 5.08 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. He gave up 47 hits and 27 walks, striking out 49 hitters. Sweet was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Mariners and has also spent time in the San Francisco Giants and Detroit Tigers’ development systems. Sweet, 29, has fought for a long time (seven years in the minors) to break into the major leagues. Maybe he’ll have greater luck next season.