Four Royals among the 160 players that become free agents today

Four Royals relievers automatically became free agents today - Wade Davis, Jesse Hahn, Greg Holland, and Ervin Santana. They join a list of 160 players that became free agents, a list that includes World Series MVP Jorge Soler, and top players like Carlos Correa, Freddie Freeman, and Max Scherzer.

Wade Davis returned to the Royals on a minor league deal after four years away. He made the Opening Day roster and appeared in 40 games with a 6.75 ERA with 38 strikeouts in 42 ²⁄₃ innings. The 36-year old ended the season on the Injured List with right shoulder inflammation. At his peak, Davis was one of the top relievers in baseball, with a 1.18 ERA in 182 ²⁄₃ innings from 2014 to 2016. But he has been very ineffective the last three seasons, giving up 85 runs in 89 ²⁄₃ innings.

Jesse Hahn was originally acquired from the Athletics in a four-player trade for Brandon Moss in 2018. But he has struggled to stay healthy, pitching just 25 ¹⁄₃ innings in four seasons with the Royals. The 32-year old right-hander showed signs of being a solid reliever in 2020, giving up just one run in 17 ¹⁄₃ innings, but he pitched just 3 ¹⁄₃ innings this year with a right shoulder impingement.

Greg Holland returned to the Royals last year and pitched effectively in limited duty, but had more mixed results this season. He appeared in 57 games and finished with a 4.85 ERA, with 53 strikeouts and 26 walks in 55 ²⁄₃ innings. The 35-year old missed some time in late August and September with a right shoulder impingement injury. Holland is a three-time All-Star and is fourth in club history with 159 saves.

Ervin Santana returned this year on a minor league deal after not pitching in 2020. He last pitched for the Royals in 2013, but returned a versatile long-reliever, even making two starts. The 38-year old right-hander pitched 65 ¹⁄₃ innings with 52 strikeouts and 22 walks with a 4.68 ERA.

This year’s free agent class is deep on shortstops with Correa joined by Corey Seager, Trevor Story, Trea Turner, and Javier Báez. Other former Cubs on the free agent list include Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, and Kyle Schwarber. In addition to Soler, former Royals pitcher Danny Duffy is on the free agent list, as are Jarrod Dyson, Joakim Soria, and Zack Greinke.

Here is the complete list of Major League free agents.

Arizona Diamondbacks (0):

Atlanta Braves (7): Ehire Adrianza, Jesse Chavez, Freddie Freeman, Christopher Martin, Eddie Rosario, Drew Smyly, Jorge Soler

Baltimore Orioles (2): Fernando Abad, Matt Harvey

Boston Red Sox (5): Adam Ottavino, Hansel Robles, Eduardo Rodriguez, Daniel Santana, Travis Shaw

Chicago Cubs (5): Robinson Chirinos, Zachary Davies, Matt Duffy, Jose Lobaton, Austin Romine

Chicago White Sox (4): Leury García, Billy Hamilton, Carlos Rodon, Ryan Tepera

Cincinnati Reds (3): Asdrúbal Cabrera, Mychal Givens, Michael Lorenzen

Cleveland Indians (3): Blake Parker, Wilson Ramos, Bryan Shaw

Colorado Rockies (4): Jhoulys Chacín, Jonathan Gray, Chris Owings, Trevor Story

Detroit Tigers (4): Derek Holland, Wily Peralta, Julio Teheran, José Ureña

Houston Astros (7): Carlos Correa, Yimi García, Marwin Gonzalez, Kendall Graveman, Zack Greinke, Brooks Raley, Justin Verlander

Kansas City Royals (4): Wade Davis, Jesse Hahn, Greg Holland, Ervin Santana

Los Angeles Angels (8): Dylan Bundy, Steven Cishek, Alexander Cobb, Dexter Fowler, Raisel Iglesias, Juan Lagares, Alejandro Ramos, Kurt Suzuki

Los Angeles Dodgers (11): Danny Duffy, Cole Hamels, Kenley Jansen, Clayton Kershaw, Corey Knebel, Jimmy Nelson, Albert Pujols, Max Scherzer, Corey Seager, Steven Souza, Chris Taylor

Miami Marlins (1): Sandy León

Milwaukee Brewers (8): Brett Anderson, John Axford, Bradley Boxberger, Eduardo Escobar, Daniel Norris, Manny Piña, Colin Rea, Hunter Strickland

Minnesota Twins (2): Michael Pineda, Andrelton Simmons

New York Mets (11): Javier Báez, Dellin Betances, Michael Conforto, Jeurys Familia, Brad Hand, Heath Hembree, Richard Hill, Aaron Loup, Marcus Stroman, Noah Syndergaard, Jonathan Villar

New York Yankees (2): Corey Kluber, Anthony Rizzo

Oakland A’s (11): Mark Canha, Khristopher Davis, Michael Fiers, Yan Gomes, Joshua Harrison, Jed Lowrie, Starling Marte, Mitchell Moreland, Yusmeiro Petit, Sergio Romo, Trevor Rosenthal

Philadelphia Phillies (7): Cam Bedrosian, Archie Bradley, Freddy Galvis, Ian Kennedy, Bradley Miller, Matthew Moore, Héctor Neris

Pittsburgh Pirates (3): Trevor Cahill, Shelby Miller, Yoshitomo Tsutsugo

St. Louis Cardinals (7): Luis Amado García, J.A. Happ, Kwang Hyun Kim, Wade LeBlanc, Jonathan Lester, TJ McFarland, Andrew Miller

San Diego Padres (4): Ross Detwiler, Daniel Hudson, Tommy Pham, Vincent Velasquez

San Francisco Giants (9): Brandon Belt, Kris Bryant, Tyler Chatwood, Anthony DesSclafani, Kevin Gausman, Scott Kazmir, Donovan Solano, Tony Watson, Alex Wood

Seattle Mariners (5): Tyler Anderson, Sean Doolittle, James Paxton, Héctor Santiago, Joe Smith

Tampa Bay Rays (7): Chris Archer, Nelson Cruz, Tommy Hunter, Collin McHugh, David Robertson, Chaz Roe, Michael Wacha

Texas Rangers (3): Charlie Culberson, Brock Holt, Jordan Lyles

Toronto Blue Jays (8): Corey Dickerson, Jarrod Dyson, Steven Matz, David Phelps, Robbie Ray, Marcus Semien, Joakim Soria, Kirby Yates

Washington Nationals (5): Alex Avila, Luis Avilán, Jordy Mercer, Gerardo Parra, Ryan Zimmerman