SF Giants catcher Tyler Heineman became a minor-league free agent on Monday. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)
Now that free agency has begun, several SF Giants players on minor-league contracts declared themselves free agents.
While most early offseason focus has been on big-name free agents and frustrating club option decisions, over 400 players have become minor-league free agents as well. Nothing prevents a minor-league free agent from receiving a big-league contract. However, given the suppressed market most expect to see, many will be hard-pressed for even minor-league opportunities.