Major League Baseball Teams Use Minor League Contracts to Find New Talent

Major League Baseball (MLB) teams have been frantically trying to acquire new talent from around the sports globe. Minor league contracts are being signed by teams from the American and National Leagues in an attempt to enhance their rosters and develop future stars. Baseball is not the only league engaging in this activity; Major League Soccer (MLS), the National Football League (NFL), and the National Hockey League (NHL) have all been active as well.

MLB Teams Placing Bets on Potential

The Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays, and Houston Astros are among the American League teams who have been active in this area. These deals show a clear strategy to add depth and promise to the clubs by primarily focusing on young players and international free agents.

Meanwhile, National League teams like the Washington Nationals, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Arizona Diamondbacks, Miami Marlins, Miami Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, and San Diego Padres have also been doing similar things. These programs are a part of the teams’ continuous attempts to develop talent in their farm systems and strengthen their rosters.

Activities in Other Leagues
NFL teams like the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are putting in their own work while MLB teams are playing. For the 2024 campaign, they have been announcing the signing of players to long-term contracts and adjusting the roster by moving certain players up from the practice squads and putting others on injured reserve.

Teams in the NHL and its lower league affiliates have also been making roster adjustments, recalling players from the American Hockey League (AHL), activating players from injured reserve, and completing loan transactions.

Teams in Major League Soccer (MLS) are participating as well. The New England Revolution has completed a transaction involving the affiliate priority player rights and general allocation money, Minnesota United FC has signed players to new contracts, and the Philadelphia Union has traded player rights and general allocation money with New York City FC.

For instance, the Tampa Bay Rays
The signing of right-hander Jacob Waguespack by the Tampa Bay Rays serves as an example of these signings. Waguespack, who was formerly with the Blue Jays and the Orix Buffaloes in Japan, is a non-roster invitee to the Rays, where he will have the chance to establish himself in the major league camp. This action demonstrates the Rays’ innovative approach and the possibility rewards of these minor league contracts.