BOSTON -- After two seasons in which Franchy Cordero struggled to produce with any consistency, the Red Sox non-tendered the first baseman/outfielder on Friday, making him a free agent.
Utility player Yu Chang, who played just 11 games for Boston, was the club’s only other non-tendered player.
The Red Sox will tender 2023 contracts to all 30 remaining unsigned players on their Major League roster, a group headlined by star slugger Rafael Devers.
The following eight players are already under contact for next season: Matt Barnes, Kiké Hernández, Eric Hosmer, James Paxton, Rob Refsnyder, Chris Sale, Trevor Story and Garrett Whitlock.
Cordero came to the Red Sox in February 2021 as part of a three-team deal that sent Andrew Benintendi to the Royals.
A left-handed hitter, Cordero showed some flashes of brilliance at the plate, including a walk-off grand slam against the Mariners in May, but he continually struggled to make contact. The 28-year-old from the Dominican Republic struck out 92 times in a career-high 275 plate appearances in 2022.
The Red Sox also outrighted Cordero during the 2021 postseason, but they brought him back to their Minor League system when he went unclaimed off waivers. Cordero was added back to Boston’s 40-man roster and rejoined the Major League club on April 29. He was optioned to Triple-A Worcester and recalled several times during the season.
Aside from his struggles on the field, Cordero has been slowed by injuries throughout his career. He has played in only 227 games in six Major League seasons, slashing .221/.290/.386 with 21 homers and 74 RBIs.
Chang, the Red Sox's second non-tendered player, was claimed off waivers from the Rays on Sept. 12, but he was used sparingly after that.
In 196 games in his career, Chang has posted a .213 average with 14 homers and 61 RBIs.
Supervising Club Reporter Ian Browne has covered the Red Sox for MLB.com since 2002.