John Buck; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

The deadline for Major League Baseball teams to tender contracts to arbitration eligible players is tonight at midnight. Many of the eligible players will be tendered a contract, but those who don’t will become free agents. One player with Kentucky connections who is virtually guaranteed to be non-tendered today is Lexington Legends Hall of Famer John Buck. Buck was the catcher on the inaugural Legends team and has spent his first six professional seasons with the Kansas City Royals. The Royals signed veteran catcher Jason Kendall Friday to take Buck’s starting spot.

You can see the arbitration-elgible Kentucky alumni here.