Former Toronto Blue Jays right-hander declares free agency

The Atlanta Braves outrighted Payamps on November 6. Atlanta claimed him off waivers late in the season.

Payamps didn't have a good season in the majors, posting a 6.84 earned run average. He was eligible for arbitration, projected for a $3.4MM salary.

Atlanta didn't want to pay that. Since Payamps cleared waivers, it appears no other club wanted to pay it either.

He had at least three years of service time and therefore he elected free agency.

Payamps, 31, had a strong run with the Brewers in the previous two seasons but has struggled a bit more this year.

He tossed 129 2/3 innings for Milwaukee over the 2023 and 2024 campaigns, allowing just 2.78 earned runs per nine.

His 26.1% strikeout rate, 6.7% walk rate and 42.6% ground ball rate were all better than league average. He gave the Brewers nine saves and 48 holds over those two years.

But as mentioned, 2025 hasn't been as smooth. His first 18 1/3 innings this year resulted in an ugly 8.35 ERA.

Some of that was surely luck, as his .373 batting average on balls in play and 52.2% strand rate were both to the unfortunate side.

But he also saw his strikeout rate drop to just 19% and his grounder rate to 29%.

His 4.51 FIP and 4.40 SIERA weren't nearly as bad as his ERA but still pointed to him being worse than previous seasons.

As a free agent, he should garner interest from clubs looking for a bounceback.

Over the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Payamps logged 129 2/3 innings in the big leagues with a 2.78 ERA, 26.1% strikeout rate and 6.7% walk rate.

His major league results backed up in 2025 but he still showed some potential in the minors.

His 4.73 ERA in 26 2/3 Triple-A innings wasn't impressive but his 27.3% strikeout rate and 5.5% walk rate were in line with his peak.