--- title: "Sam Huff elects free agency after Orioles DFA" description: "The Orioles cut Huff twice this season. Now he’s a free agent—power bat in play, strikeouts in tow." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/sam-huff-elects-free-agency-c4c5e6a9 published: 2026-07-02T19:34:36.307+00:00 updated: 2026-07-02T19:34:36.307+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["baseball"] --- # Sam Huff elects free agency after Orioles DFA > The Orioles cut Huff twice this season. Now he’s a free agent—power bat in play, strikeouts in tow. The Orioles designated Sam Huff for assignment for the second time this season, and he chose free agency over a minor-league assignment. Huff, 26, cleared waivers and rejected an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk, becoming an unrestricted free agent on Thursday. The Orioles had twice removed him from the 40-man roster to clear space, but Huff declined the demotion and exited Baltimore’s system. Despite carrying a .248/.321/.407 slash line and 28.6% strikeout rate across 136 plate appearances in 2024, Huff’s offensive profile includes 18 home runs over parts of four MLB seasons and a 115 wRC+ in 2023. The Orioles’ catching depth chart is anchored by Adley Rutschman, with Kyle Stowers and Anthony Santander also logging time behind the plate, leaving Huff without a clear path. The Rangers drafted Huff 59th overall in 2016 out of high school in Texas, and he reached the majors in 2021. His defensive metrics behind the plate have fluctuated, but his arm strength and power upside remain notable. The Orioles’ decision to remove him from the 40-man twice underscored the roster squeeze in Baltimore. The Orioles’ willingness to part ways with Huff highlights the ruthless efficiency required to manage a competitive 40-man roster. With Rutschman entrenched as the everyday starter and the roster already featuring multi-positional players who can serve as emergency catchers, Baltimore could not justify dedicating a spot to a bat-first specialist. The recent addition of Tucker Davidson only exacerbated the roster crunch, forcing the front office to prioritize pitching depth over retaining a backup catcher with limited defensive flexibility. Huff’s market value now rests entirely on his ability to translate his raw power into production in a limited role. While his arm strength provides a defensive floor, his fluctuating metrics behind the plate and high strikeout rate make him a risky bet for teams seeking stability. He fits best as a low-cost depth addition for a club willing to gamble on his 115 wRC+ upside from 2023, rather than as a guaranteed roster contributor. His departure from Baltimore signals that his defensive inconsistencies have outweighed his offensive potential in the eyes of a contending front office. Huff’s exit reflects a broader trend in MLB front offices prioritizing defensive reliability and contact-heavy profiles at catcher. Teams are increasingly reluctant to carry high-strikeout backstops, even those with power upside, unless they’re slotted into platoon roles. Huff’s 2024 strikeout rate ranks in the 90th percentile league-wide, a red flag for organizations chasing championship contention. The Orioles’ roster churn—Huff is the fifth player designated for assignment or released since the All-Star break—signals a front office willing to make aggressive moves to reshape the 40-man. Baltimore’s catching depth is now locked in with Rutschman and the recently acquired Tucker Davidson, while Huff’s departure clears a 40-man spot for potential pitching reinforcements. Huff’s camp framed the move as a chance to find a fresh opportunity. “We’re excited for the next chapter,” said Huff’s agent, Seth Levinson, in a statement. “Sam’s shown he can hit for power and throw out runners. Teams will have to weigh that against the strikeouts.” What’s next: Huff will field offers from teams needing catching depth with upside. A contender seeking a right-handed power bat behind the plate could emerge, but his contact issues will dictate the market. The Rangers, his original franchise, remain a potential fit given their catching pipeline and need for offensive catchers. ## Why this matters Huff’s exit from Baltimore ends a prospect’s uneven MLB tenure. A former top-100 talent with plus raw power and defensive tools is now a free agent, but his 28.6% strikeout rate in 2024 looms large. Teams chasing upside will bet on his bat; others will hesitate. His market hinges on whether clubs prioritize power over contact in a catching depth race where few profiles check both boxes. The Orioles’ aggressive roster moves underscore a front-office philosophy that values defensive stability and contact-first offense, a trend reshaping how teams evaluate catching depth in the modern game. ## Frequently asked ### Why did the Orioles designate Sam Huff for assignment twice? The Orioles cleared roster space twice to accommodate other moves, leaving Huff without a clear MLB role behind Adley Rutschman and other depth options. ### What are Sam Huff’s key offensive and defensive traits? Huff has posted 18 career home runs and a 115 wRC+ in 2023, with a strong arm and defensive potential behind the plate, though his 28.6% strikeout rate in 2024 remains a concern. ### Which teams might pursue Sam Huff in free agency? Contenders needing right-handed power from the catching position could emerge, with the Rangers—a team that drafted him—potentially monitoring the market. ### How old is Sam Huff, and what’s his MLB service time? Huff turned 26 in January 2024 and has 136 plate appearances in 2024, with parts of four MLB seasons on his resume. ### Did Huff clear waivers before becoming a free agent? Yes. Huff cleared waivers after his second DFA, allowing him to reject an outright assignment and elect free agency. ### How does Huff’s strikeout rate compare to league averages? Huff’s 28.6% strikeout rate in 2024 ranks in the 90th percentile league-wide, placing him among the most swing-and-miss heavy catchers in MLB. ## Sources & Citations - [Sam Huff Elects Free Agency](https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/07/sam-huff-elects-free-agency-orioles-catcher.html) — MLB Trade Rumors (2026-07-02) --- Cite: Sam Huff elects free agency after Orioles DFA. Sportopod, 2026-07-02. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/sam-huff-elects-free-agency-c4c5e6a9