Two Players Elect Free Agency

Two players who saw regular-season action for the two World Series teams have elected minor league agency, according to the official MiLB.com transactions page. To qualify for minor league free agency, players must be outrighted off their teams’ 40-man rosters during the course of the season without being added back, and they must have either three years of MLB service time or multiple outright assignments over the course of their careers. Oliver Dunn (Rays) Dunn signed a minor league deal with the White Sox last winter, and was traded to the Rays in May. He was quickly added to the active roster as infield depth when Ben Williamson was placed on the IL, and Dunn had a .258 OPS in 12 plate appearances over nine games, appearing mostly as a late-game substitute. Tampa optioned Dunn back to Triple-A after that nine-game stint, and outrighted him off the 40-man in September. Dunn has now played in parts of the last three MLB seasons, and has hit .197/.253/.275 over 157 PA in the Show with the Brewers and Rays. He can play all over the infield (and has played left field in the minors) and has some good base-stealing ability, so Dunn will try to parlay that skillset into another minor league contract this offseason. Dunn is out of minor league options, which will complicate his chances of sticking on a 40-man roster. Thomas Pannone (Brewers) The left-hander pitched in just one game for Milwaukee this season, getting the start and allowing three runs (two earned) in three innings of work in the Brewers’ 16-3 loss to the Giants on July 29. The Brew Crew designated Pannone for assignment and outrighted him shortly afterwards, but the cup of coffee in the majors was surely welcome for a pitcher who had just one other MLB appearance in the last seven seasons. Pannone broke into the big leagues with 116 innings of 5.43 ERA ball with the Blue Jays in 2018-19, then pitched once for the Brewers in 2023 before his one game this year. In between his one-game cameos, Pannone has pitched abroad in the KBO League and also in the minors with the Angels, Red Sox, Cubs, Yankees, and Brewers. The 32-year-old southpaw didn’t pitch at all in 2025 due to flexor surgery, but returned this year to post a 4.70 ERA, 20.2% strikeout rate, and 6.9% walk rate over 99 2/3 innings with Triple-A Nashville. View Comments (2)