Eric Wagaman Elects Free Agency

The Mets outrighted the 29-year-old infielder off their 40-man roster, prompting his election of free agency.

Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Baseball

Infielder Eric Wagaman has elected free agency after the Mets outrighted him off the 40-man roster one week before the election. The 29-year-old right-handed hitter had claimed by New York off waivers from the Twins at the end of April 2026.

Why it matters

The move removes a depth infielder from New York's 40-man roster and leaves Wagaman to find a new organization. Free agency gives him the chance to sign with another club as a depth option.

Wagaman's 2025 season with Miami produced a 46.5% hard-hit rate and -0.4 FanGraphs WAR, while he hit 115 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers that year. His 2026 Triple-A line at Syracuse, a 108 wRC+ in 148 plate appearances, outpaced his 67 wRC+ in brief Mets action.

The players

Eric Wagaman

Eric Wagaman is a 29-year-old right-handed-hitting infielder who debuted with the Angels in 2024.

New York Mets

The New York Mets are a Major League Baseball franchise based in New York City that competes in the National League East.

The details

Wagaman debuted with the Angels in 2024 and elected free agency at the end of that year following a designation for assignment. He signed with the Marlins for 2025 before the Mets claimed him off waivers from the Twins in late April 2026, and New York outrighted him off the 40-man roster on November 1.

End of 2024: Wagaman elected free agency after a designation for assignment by the Angels.
2025 season: Wagaman played 514 plate appearances for the Marlins.
End of April 2026: The Mets claimed Wagaman off waivers from the Twins.
November 1, 2026: The Mets outrighted Wagaman off the 40-man roster.
November 8, 2026: Wagaman elected free agency per the MLB.com transactions log.

Roadmap

Wagaman's path illustrates how MLB's 40-man roster rules move depth infielders between organizations through waiver claims, outrights and free agency. His case follows the typical pattern in which clubs churn marginal bench players rather than committing roster space to them long-term.

Wagaman's free agency opens a roster spot on the Mets' 40-man and makes him available to any club looking for a right-handed bench infielder. Teams with a need at second or third base could pursue him as a depth option.

The takeaway

Depth infielders like Wagaman often change organizations several times before establishing a regular role, so roster flexibility matters as much as raw production. Watching how quickly he signs will show how much teams value his bat against left-handed pitching.