After a season that could be described as just about anything but normal, the Cleveland Guardians’ roster turnover is underway.
Major league free agents aren’t eligible to sign with new teams until five days after the World Series concludes. But players who finished the season off the 40-man rosters and meet certain eligibility criteria can elect minor-league free agency and begin their searches for new teams a bit early.
Carlos Hernández, who arrived in Cleveland in a July 31 waiver claim, was outrighted off the 40-man roster in August. He didn’t have much of a shot at the postseason roster, and with Cleveland eliminated in the Wild Card Series, he decided to seek opportunities elsewhere.
On Friday, Hernández elected free agency, according to the transactions log on his official player page.
Hernández, 28, has always had electric stuff. His fastball regularly tops 100 mph, and he got every opportunity during a five-year stint with the Kansas City Royals to prove he belonged as a bullpen staple. Instead, he missed out on the opening day roster in Kansas City this year, and because he was out of minor-league options, a chaotic journey began.
After he was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Phillies, Hernández embarked on a season where he would pitch 41 times in the majors, compile a 6.23 ERA, and get designated for assignment three times. The Phillies let him go, then the Detroit Tigers claimed him and let him go within six weeks.
Cleveland used Hernández five times, and he allowed three earned runs in seven innings. After sneaking him through waivers, he spent the remainder of the season with Triple-A Columbus. But if they were hoping for a chance to work with him in the offseason, they now have to re-sign him to get it.
Teams always seem to believe they can find a way to rejuvenate a pitcher like Hernández, because the ability to throw triple-digit heat still isn’t all that common. But he’s got a 5.14 career ERA in a 256 1/3-inning sample size, so the window of opportunity is shrinking.
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