Brett Carroll, Carlos Maldonado Declare Themselves Free Agents

The headline makes me think that Brett Carroll and Carlos Maldonado stood at the top of the capitol and just bellowed out “I am a free agent!”. That, most likely, is not the case. They probably had their agents fax a paper or something declaring they will take advantage of their minor league rights to be a free agent according to Baseball America.

Mar 11, 2012; Jupiter, FL. USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Brett Carroll (15) dives back to first base safely against the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium. The game was postponed due to rain after 4 innings. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-US PRESSWIRE

Both saw limited time for the Nationals in 2012. Carroll saw so little time he will not be featured in our season review series. Maldonado will be featured tomorrow. Minor leaguers have the right to file for free agency after seven seasons if they are not on the 40-man roster at the time of expiry. Despite the fact that both of them saw time on the 40-man roster during the season, they are not currently on the 40-man roster.

Other players expected to use their minor league free agent rights include Atahualpa Severino, Mark Teahen, Zechry Zinicola, Mike MacDougal and Seth Bynum according to Bill Ladson.