One of the toughest decisions an MLB front office has to make is which players to give the bad news to – your services will no longer be required. There’s different ways to do it – outright release, designate for assignment, non-tender, waivers, but they all mean the same thing – we don’t want you. Sometimes the player returns to the organization in the minors, sometimes they catch on somewhere else only to be released again, and sometimes they call it a career. And then sometimes, the player signs elsewhere and becomes a massive superstar, leaving the original team that released them looking completely foolish. And today we’ll be talking about 10 players who were released or DFA’d by an MLB team, then went on to have an amazing big league career. This isn’t about players who already had a great career and then were DFA’d when they were older and no longer as good – that happens all the time sadly. This is about younger players who were deemed to not be worthy of a roster spot, but proved themselves in a huge way somewhere else. It’s not an all-inclusive list as there have been hundreds of examples throughout baseball history, so feel free to add more in the comments section, but these are the top 10 that occurred during the last 45 years. So, let’s jump right into it...
10. Liam Hendriks
Liam Hendriks grew up playing baseball in Australia, becoming a premiere High School pitcher in Perth, the Capital City of Western Australia. The Minnesota Twins took notice and signed him to a professional contract on his 18th birthday. He immediately impressed in rookie ball with 2.05 ERA in 10 starts and a Gulf Coast League leading 52 strikeouts. He worked his way up the minor league ladder, dominating each level. In 2012, he went 9-3 with a 2.2 ERA in Triple-A. Unfortunately, his numbers in the big leagues were not so impressive, and after three seasons bouncing up and down from Triple-A, the Twins designated him for assignment, even though he still had minor league options remaining. Hendriks had shown electric stuff, but couldn’t figure it out as a starter, and the Twins never tried him out in the bullpen. The Cubs claimed him off waivers, then almost immediately put him back on waivers, where the Blue Jays claimed him. He again dominated in Triple-A, going 8-1 with a 2.33 ERA and he was the starter for the International League All-Star Team. But the Blue Jays traded him to the Royals, and then the Royals Designated him for Assignment after just 6 appearances. He was traded back to the Blue Jays, who finally tried him out in the bullpen, and Hendriks pitched very well in the role with a 2.92 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 64.2 innings. The Jays traded him to the A’s, where he became a staple in the Oakland bullpen and was eventually named the closer. In 2019, he made his first MLB All Star Game and saved 25 games with a 1.8 ERA. In the shortened 2020, he had a 1.78 ERA and finished in the Top 10 for the Cy Young. He signed with the White Sox on a 4-year, $54 million deal and led the league with 38 saves in 2021 then followed it up with 37 saves in 2022, making back to back All Star teams. Not too bad for a guy who was DFA’d multiple times.
9. Tim Wakefield
Next up is Tim Wakefield, a Pittsburgh Pirates draft pick. He was drafted in the 8th Round in 1988, receiving a $15,000 signing bonus, as a first baseman. Wakefield hit 40 career home runs in college, but after hitting just .189 in Low A Ball, he decided to re-invent himself as a pitcher, but not just any pitcher – he would be a knuckleballer. Wakefield pitched so well in the minors, the Pirates agreed to a full conversion to pitcher and in 1991 in Double-A, he led all Pirates minor league pitchers in wins, inning pitched and complete games. In 1992, he was 10-3 with a 3.06 ERA in Triple-A when the Pirates called him up. He dazzed his rookie year, going 8-1 with a 2.15 ERA, finishing 3rd for the Rookie of the Year. He was also fantastic in the playoffs, beating Tom Glavine twice and throwing a complete game 5-hitter in Game of the NLCS. You’d think that would’ve been good enough for a place in the Pirates rotation for years to come, but after a rough start to the 1993 season in which he struggled with command, the Pirates sent him down. They kept him in the minors all year in 1994 then released him in 1995 shortly after the strike ended. It was an understandable decision as he went 5-15 with a 6.51 ERA in Triple-A in 1994, and it seemed he was just a flash in the pan success. But that wasn’t the case. The Red Sox signed him and Wakefield worked with knuckeball legends Joe and Phil Niekro. He went 16-8 with the Red Sox in 1995 with a 2.95 ERA. From there, he was a key member of their rotation for 17 years, and helped them to win two World Series Championships. He made the All Star team in 2009 and retired with 200 wins and 2,156 strikeouts.
8. Dave Stewart
Right-handed pitcher Dave Stewart was drafted out of High School by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1975. He dominated A ball in 1977, going 17-4 with a 2.15 ERA and was in Triple-A by the end of the season. Despite continuing to pitch well, the Dodgers only gave him limited opportunities in the big leagues until they were forced to put him on the big league roster or release him in 1981 when he ran out of minor league options. He barely made the team, but spent the season in the bullpen, pitching very well with a 2.49 ERA and even picked up 6 saves. He continued to pitch well, mostly out of the bullpen, for the Dodgers, until they traded him to the Rangers in a controversial move as many fans thought Stewart was the team’s best pitcher. “I’ve been doing so little in L.A. that this is the best thing for me,” said Stewart. He was put into the rotation and went 5-2 with a 2.14 ERA down the stretch. However, Stewart struggled in 1984, going 7-14 with a 4.73 ERA. In 1985, he was sent back to the bullpen and after one particular rough appearance, he was booed by the Rangers fans. Stewart said “I’d say to those idiots, ok partner, come out and see how you do.” The Rangers traded him to the Phillies in September of 1985. Then, in May of 1986, after struggling with a 6.57 ERA, they released him. It looked like it might be a career for Dave Stewart. But the Oakland A’s offered him a contract. He had one more shot and he took it.. literally, as he decked Cleveland manager Pat Corrales during a bench clearing brawl, resulting in a 5 game suspension. But after that, he pitched well the rest of the season, and earned a 2-year, $500,000 contract. Starting in 1987, Stewart became a star, winning at least 20 games in 4 straight seasons. During that 4-year stretch, he never finished lower than 4th for the Cy Young, led the league in complete games twice, and won a total of 84 games. He made the All Star Game in 1989, the same year he helped lead the A’s to a World Series title, with a 1.69 ERA in the World Series. He later won another ring with Blue Jays in 1993, winning the ALCS MVP along the way with a 2.03 ERA in the series. It was quite the career recovery after it looked like it was all over when the Phillies released him back in 1986.
7. Kevin Gausman
Current Toronto Blue Jays Ace Kevin Gausman was at one time a potential first round bust after some rough years in the big leagues. He was drafted in the 1st round by the Baltimore Orioles in 2012 out of Louisiana State and pitched well in the minors, although he didn’t exactly dominate. He made his big league debut in 2013 and bounced up and down from Triple-A that year, never getting completely comfortable anywhere. It was the same story year after year until he finally got an extended shot in 2016, and he went 9-12 with a 3.61 ERA. He showed signs of greatness, at one point pitching 21 consecutive scoreless innings. He was the 2017 Opening Day starter for the Orioles but that season, went 11-12 with a 4.68 ERA. In 2018, the Orioles traded him to the Atlanta Braves for prospects and international signing money. With Atlanta in 2019, Gausman struggled in 16 starts, going 3-7 with a career worst 6.19 ERA. He was designated for assignment. Gausman was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds and put in the bullpen. He went 0-2 with a 4.03 ERA in 15 games, and although the Reds could’ve brought him back in 2020, they non-tendered him, essentially letting him go for nothing, and he became a free agent. At this point, Gausman was a former first round pick who never completely panned out, never made an All Star team, and had been both DFA’d and non-tendered. But another team thought he still had something left, and the San Francisco Giants signed him to a one-year deal. In the Covid-shortened 2020 season, he showed serious stuff, striking out 79 batters in 59 innings with a deadly splitter that he had now learned to use masterfully. The Giants offered him the $18.9 million qualifying offer and he accepted, returning in 2021 to go 14-6 with a 2.81 ERA and 10.6 strikeouts per 9 innings. He made his first All Star team and finished 6th for the Cy Young, helping the Giants win a franchise record 107 games. He signed a 5-year, $110 million deal with Toronto and finished 9th for the Cy Young in 2022, made another All Star team in 2023, and just helped the Jays win the AL pennant in 2025, with a dominant performance in ALDS and ALCS. He’s certainly come a long way since being DFA’d back in 2019.
6. Max Muncy
The Los Angeles Dodgers just recently picked up their 2026 option on Max Muncy, agreeing to pay the slugger $10 million to return to LA. But his career was on a completely different path about 10 years ago. Muncy was drafted in the 5th round of the 2012 Draft by the Oakland Athletics. He showed some impressive power in 2013 between High A and Double-A, crushing 25 bombs and 25 doubles while driving in 100 runs with a .273 batting average. He made his big league debut in 2015, but hit just .206 with 3 homers in 102 at bats. In 2016, he hit .186 with 2 homers in 51 games and the A’s likely decided he wasn’t big league material. They designated him for assignment, and he cleared waivers, meaning no other team wanted his services. They sent him to the minor league camp during 2017 Spring Training, then released him all together just as the season was to begin. He could’ve retired right then and there and no one would’ve thought anything of it. Instead, Muncy signed a minor league contract with the Dodgers and in Oklahoma City, hit .309 with 12 home runs. He was sent back to OKC to start the 2018 season but was quickly promoted after a hot start, and he started homering at a blistering pace, breaking a Dodgers record with 20 homers in his first 183 at bats. He was selected to participate in the home run derby, although he didn’t quite make the All Star team. He ended the year with 35 bombs, then hit 35 more in 2019, proving it was no fluke. Muncy has been a regular in the Dodgers lineup ever since, has made two All Star teams and currently has 214 career home runs and counting. It’s crazy to think he not only was DFA’d by the Oakland A’s, but cleared waivers, was sent to the minors then released completely before his amazing career resurgence with Los Angeles.
5. Justin Turner
Veteran third baseman Justin Turner just completed his 17th big league season and has put together an impressive career that seemed very unlikely to happen back around 2013. He was drafted in the 7th Round of the 2006 Draft by the Cincinnati Reds and quickly impressed in rookie ball, hitting .338 in 60 games while showing his versatility by playing every infield position and the outfield. He continued to rake in the minors, but the Reds decided to use him as a trade piece, sending him to the Orioles for veteran catcher Ramon Hernandez. Turner was sent to Triple-A and hit .300 in 108 games, but hit just 2 homers. The Orioles promoted him but he went 3 for 22 during his first cup of coffee. The next year, after going 0 for 9, the Orioles decided that Justin Turner ain’t it, and they designated him for assignment. He was claimed off waivers by the New York Mets, and hit .333 with their Triple-A team, showing more power with 11 home runs. He got an extended shot in 2011 and set a Mets Rookie Record for most consecutive games with an RBI. Still, Justin Turner’s career never really took off with the Mets, and after 3 seasons there, he was non-tendered, making him an unrestricted free agent during the 2013-2014 offseason. His career was in jeopardy until Dodgers bench coach Tim Wallach saw Turner hitting at a Cal State Fullerton alumni game. Wallach was impressed and asked Turner if he was getting any interest from other teams since the Mets let him go. Turner was honest and said he had zero offers from any one. Wallach convinced the Dodgers to sign Justin Turner to a minor league deal, and he made the 2014 LA Dodgers team out of Spring Training. Injuries gave him more playing time than expected, and Turner took full advantage, hitting .340 with 7 home runs and 43 RBIs in 288 at bats. He earned a one-year, $2.5 million deal, became the starting third baseman, and hit .294 with 16 homers in 2015, then tore it up in the playoffs, hitting .526 in the NLDS. In 2016, he smashed 27 home runs, then in 2017, he had his best year yet, hitting .322 while making his first All Star team. Justin Turner had become a top-tier player, and helped the Dodgers win the World Series in 2020, hitting .320 with 2 homers in the World Series. He moved onto Boston and hit 23 home runs with 96 RBIs in 2023, before spending time with Seattle, Toronto and then this year, the Chicago Cubs.
4. J.D. Martinez
Another low round pick, J.D. Martinez wasn’t taken until the 20th Round of the 2009 Draft out of Division 2 Nova Southeastern University by the Houston Astros. He was an amazing hitter in college, but could he hit professional pitching? Martinez immediately showed the Astros what he could do, hitting .341 in 2010 between Single and Double A. In 2010, still in Double-A, he was hitting .338 with 13 home runs when the Astros promoted him. He showed potential in the big leagues, hitting .274 in his first 54 games, but ended up bouncing up and down over the next couple years until the Astros decided Martinez wasn’t going to be part of their future during 2014 Spring Training. They outrighted him off the Major League Roster and released him. Martinez had to settle on a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers, but after a hot start in Toledo, they promoted him back to the big leagues and Martinez hit .315 with 23 home runs, immediately cementing himself into the Tigers everyday lineup. In 2015, he made his first All Star Team and hit .282 with 38 homers and 102 RBIs. He hit over .300 for 4 straight seasons, moving on to the Diamondbacks, then Red Sox, where he became a critical piece of their lineup in 2018 when they won it all. He led the league with 130 RBIs and 358 total bases, and finished 4th for the MVP. He made 4 All Star teams with Boston, and then another with the Dodgers in 2023. The 6-time All Star and 3-Time Silver Slugger’s baseball career appears to be over, but he is now planning a professional career as a pickleball player.
3. Jose Bautista
Jose Bautista was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 20th Round of the 2000 MLB Draft out of Chipola College in Florida. In his first full season of minor league ball with the Hickory Crawdads, he hit .301 with 14 homers and a .402 on-base-percentage. He continued to play well in the minors, but before he was added to the 40-man roster, the Baltimore Orioles picked him up in the Rule 5 Draft, adding him to the 2004 Opening Day Roster. He then bounced around like a hot potato that season, getting DFA’d, sent to waivers, and traded multiple times. The Orioles DFA’d him after just 11 at bats, although he had 3 hits. He was claimed by the Rays, who DFA’d him after 12 at bats and sent him to the Royals, who traded him to the Mets. Before the Mets even put him in a game, just minutes after the trade, they traded him back to his original team, the Pirates, who got a second chance to enjoy the services of this future All Star. They actually used him for a couple years, and Bautista was decent, hitting .254 with 15 home runs in 2007. It wasn’t good enough apparently and the Pirates traded him to the Toronto Blue Jays, where he would finally realize his full potential. In 2010, he led the league with 54 home runs, drove in 124 runs, won a Silver Slugger and finished 4th for the MVP. The Jays gave him a 5 year, $54 million extension and he kept crushing the baseball. He made 6 straight All Star teams, averaging 38 homers a year, leading the league in RBIs twice, while finishing in the Top 10 for the MVP 4 times. He hit a dramatic game winning bomb in the 2015 ALDS, resulting in one of the most famous bat flips of all time.
2. Kyle Schwarber
Kyle Schwarber was a 1st round, 4th overall pick, by the Chicago Cubs in 2014. He was a top prospect, who hit .344 with 18 home runs in his first 72 games in the minor leagues. He continued to tear up the minors in 2015, forcing a call up to Chicago. He became a regular in 2015 and absolutely crushed the ball in the playoffs, setting a Cubs record with 5 postseason bombs. Unfortunately, a left leg injury kept him out for nearly all of 2016, although he did appear in the World Series as a pinch hitter and DH, hitting .412, helping the Cubs win their first World Series since 1908. It seemed Schwarber’s career was on the right track despite the injury, but in 2017, after a slow start, he was demoted to Triple-A. He returned to the Cubs after the All Star Break, and finished the season strong. Schwarber continued to be a huge home run threat, smashing 26 in 2018 then 38 in 2019. Then, in 2020, the Covid-Shortened season, Schwarber never really got going and hit just .188 with 11 home runs. Fortunately for the Cubs, he was still under their control for the 2021 season, where he would surely bounce back with a full season. But, actually, the Cubs didn’t want him – they shockingly non-tendered Kyle Schwarber, simply letting him go for nothing, and instead signed Joc Pederson, who they traded to the Braves mid-season. Schwarber signed with the Nationals and with them and the Red Sox, he hit .266 with 32 home runs, and made his first All Star team. But he got even better after signing a four-year, $79 million contract with the Phillies. He won a Silver Slugger in 2022, with a league leading 46 home runs, and then smashed 6 homers in the postseason, 3 in the World Series. In 2024, he led the league in walks and then this year, had his best season yet, leading the league with 56 home runs and 132 RBIs, while making his 3rd All Star team. At the All Star Game, he impressed the world with 3 home runs in 3 swings during the first ever swing-off, giving the National League the victory. He is now set for a huge payday in free agency.
1. David Ortiz
Coming in at #1 has to be Hall of Famer David Ortiz, who was first signed as an international free agent by the Seattle Mariners in 1992. While still in the lower minor leagues, he was traded to the Minnesota Twins to complete an earlier trade. Ortiz at that time, was the player to be named later. In 1997, he hit 31 home runs and 124 RBIs in the minor leagues between high A, Double-A, and Triple-A. Ortiz made his big league debut in 1997 and hit .327 with a homer in his first 49 at bats. Still, the Twins kept him mostly in Triple-A the next couple years. In 1999, he crushed 30 home runs with 110 RBIs for the Salt Lake Buzz. He finally got an extended shot in the bigs in 2000, and hit .282 with 10 homers and an impressive .364 on-base percentage. In 2001, he started the year hot but a wrist fracture derailed his season and he hit just .234 overall. In 2002, he bounced back, especially in the second half when he hit .297 with 15 home runs and 42 RBIs. He hit his first but definitely not last walk off home run in September, and hit a clutch double in the ALDS. The Twins had control of Ortiz for 2002 and all the signs where there that he was a star in the making. However, the Twins decided they didn’t want to pay him the relatively small $2 million salary he would’ve been owed, and instead, released him. The story goes that in the offseason, Pedro Martinez had a chance encounter with Ortiz at a restaurant in the Dominican Republic, and was reminded of the time Ortiz crushed a home run off him. He convinced the Red Sox, who needed a 1st baseman, to sign Ortiz and they offered him a one-year deal. Ortiz thanked the Red Sox by hitting .288 with 31 home runs and 101 RBIs, finishing 5th for the MVP and immediately making the Twins look stupid. He went on to get even better and over 14 years in Boston, he made 10 All Star teams and won 7 Silver Sluggers, averaging 35 home runs per season. He finished in the Top 10 for the MVP 7 times and helped the Red Sox win three World Series championships with multiple walk off hits and clutch home runs. He won the World Series MVP award in 2013 with .688 average and 2 home runs. David Ortiz retired as the greatest designated hitter to ever play the game and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022, about 20 years after he was released by the Twins.