Barring a stunning change of heart, the Kansas City Royals have bid adieu to catcher-turned-outfielder MJ Melendez. The only organization he's ever known pink-slipped Melendez by not tendering him a 2026 contract before Friday's late afternoon deadline to do so.
The non-tender made Melendez a free agent with nothing preventing him from hooking on with another club. Whether he finds a new baseball home remains to be seen, but Kansas City fans should wish him luck and hope he follows in the footsteps of former Royal Ryan O'Hearn, who fell from grace with the Royals but suddenly flourished after the franchise cut him loose.