Major League free agents don't hit the market until five days after the conclusion of the World Series, but eligible minor leaguers can already start electing free agency. To qualify for minor league free agency, a player must have been outrighted off his team’s 40-man roster during the 2025 season without being added back. He also must have more than one career outrights in his career, and/or at least three seasons of Major League service time.
Journeyman Twins reliever Erasmo Ramírez elects minor league free agency
After it was announced that Twins relievers Darren McCaughan, Noah Davis and Brooks Kriske elected free agency, journeyman righty reliever Erasmo Ramírez also hit the free agent market.
The Twins selected Ramírez's contract from Triple-A St. Paul on Aug. 1 following Minnesota's shocking trade deadline fire sale that saw five Twins relievers dealt to other teams. Ramírez made nine appearances for Minnesota, posting a 2.45 ERA (5.14 FIP) with five strikeouts and two walks over 11 innings before being designated for assignment by the Twins on Aug. 24, leading to his outright assignment to Triple-A St. Paul. In 12 games for the Saints this past season, Ramírez managed a 4.67 ERA with 17 strikeouts and five walks across 17 1/3 innings.
While Ramírez did a good job in his short tenure with the Twins, his high FIP suggests he won't be able to continue that success. He very well could receive interest around the league this offseason, but if he can sign with a team, it will likely be on a minor league contract, similar to the one he signed with the Twins last offseason. Even though he is no Aroldis Chapman, Ramírez can still bring value to a team with his experience if the club needs to promote a reliever from the minor leagues in a pinch.
Ramírez has been pitching professionally since 2008, and he made his MLB debut with the Seattle Mariners in 2012. After three seasons with Seattle, Ramírez was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays, who traded him back to the Mariners less than two years later. Ramírez finished his rookie contract with the Mariners and has since then played for the Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, Rays (again) and Twins.