Two A's Minor Leaguers Elect Free Agency

According to the Minor League Baseball transactions page, both Cody Thomas and Spencer Patton have elected free agency.

Patton was signed to a minor league deal in early April and made it into 12 games with the A's, pitching to a 5.11 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP in 12 ^1/3 innings. He was also designated for assignment twice by Oakland, once in May before being out-righted to Las Vegas, and once in September. 

The 35-year-old spent the rest of the season with the Aviators in Triple-A, posting a 4.66 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP across 46 ^1/3 innings. From what was observed in the A's clubhouse, Patton seemed well liked by his teammates, which could lead to another opportunity somewhere next season.

Outfielder Cody Thomas is also set to hit free agency. He was traded to the A's in February of 2021 in the Sheldon Neuse/Adam Kolarek deal, which has seen both Neuse and Kolarek return to the team that once traded them and then move on. 

Over the past two seasons Thomas made it into 29 games with the A's, batting .250 with a .308 on-base percentage (OBP). He notched his first big-league home run back on July 19 against the Red Sox, and as of right now, that is his lone long ball in the majors. 

Thomas has dealt with numerous injuries, most recently to his achilles, that have kept him from seeing regular playing time in the minor leagues over the past few seasons, but he showed a glimpse of his potential back in 2021 when he hit 18 home runs in 59 games. In 107 games in Triple-A this season, the outfielder hit .301 with a .361 OBP, 23 homers, 109 rbi, and five stolen bases.

Thomas will likely get a look from a club looking to take a chance on him and build up their corner outfield options this winter. He has talent, he stayed healthy, and now he needs an opportunity.