Mets non-tender Vogelbach
The New York Mets non-tendered first baseman/designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach ahead of Friday's deadline.
Vogelbach, who was in his fourth year of arbitration eligibility, becomes a free agent.
The one-time All-Star helped the Mets reach the playoffs in 2022 after being acquired from Pittsburgh in a midseason trade. He formed the left-handed half of a designated hitter platoon for the club this past season, slugging 13 homers and driving in 48 while posting a .742 OPS.
Vogelbach became something of a lightning rod in Flushing this year. Former Mets manager Buck Showalter and ex-GM Billy Eppler reportedly butted heads over the slugger's playing time during the team's disappointing 2023 campaign.
The 30-year-old is a lifetime .220/.342/.410 hitter with 80 homers and 238 RBIs over parts of eight big-league seasons with five teams.
In addition to Vogelbach, the Mets also non-tendered infielder Luis Guillorme, as well as relievers Jeff Brigham, Sam Coonrod, and Trevor Gott.
Outfielder DJ Stewart, who impressed in a late-season stint with the Mets, avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal with the club. Stewart will be paid $1.38 million next year, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.