Right-handed Jack Woodford MLBTR triggered an opt-out clause in a minor league deal with the Cubs and was granted his release. He is once again a free agent and can explore opportunities with any team.
Woodford, 28, separates the regular season, between the Yankees and the Cubs’ triple A branches. He chose both contracts because neither club showed him the major before agreeing to date. Woodford was nearly the same number as both teams and continued to 4.55 ERA with 61 1/3 innings (10 games, 4 long-term relief outings) with a strikeout rate of 21.8%, walking rates of 7.4% and 47.8% ground balls, and 21.8% strikeout rate and 47.8% ground balls. In his last two outings, he was particularly keen, recording 12 innings, including 4 innings (3.00 ERA) and a 14-to-2 K/BB ratio. Woodford’s recent appearances cost him 97 courts, so he completely built the workload of the starter.
In the 2015 draft, the Cardinals’ 39th overall pick, Woodford pitched every season of the past five major league seasons. Almost all of his experience is related to St. Louis, although he does suit the White Sox and the Buccaneers in 2024. He scored 219 2/3 Big League Instress at the time, with its 4.88 ERA, 15.2% strikeout rate, 7.5% walking rate and 45.1% ground ball rate.
Clubs that need rotation depth or length in a bullpen can look at the growing number of right-handers as they wait for the summer trade market to go all out later this month. In the 468 2/3 career innings at the Triple-A level, Woodford has an ERA of 4.07.
