The following 40-man roster players have less than five years service time and are out of minor league options. That means they must clear waivers before being sent to the minors. I've included players on multiyear deals. This list was compiled through MLBTR's sources.
Angels
Alberto Callaspo, Kendrys Morales, Rich Thompson, Jerome Williams, Bobby Wilson
Astros
Brian Bogusevic, Lucas Harrell, Henry Sosa, Wesley Wright, Jordan Schafer
Athletics
Brandon Allen, Jerry Blevins, Joey Devine, Kila Ka'aihue
Blue Jays
Rajai Davis, Luis Perez, Sergio Santos, Luis Valbuena
Braves
Cristhian Martinez, Jairo Asencio
Brewers
Frankie de la Cruz, Tim Dillard, Mat Gamel, George Kottaras, Kameron Loe, Chris Narveson, Manny Parra, Jose Veras
Cardinals
Tyler Greene
Cubs
Marcos Mateo, Jeff Samardzija, Geovany Soto, Bryan LaHair
Diamondbacks
Craig Breslow, Craig Tatum, Mike Zagurski
Dodgers
A.J. Ellis, Ramon Troncoso, Blake Hawksworth, Scott Elbert, Trent Oeltjen
Giants
Chris Stewart, Emmanuel Burriss, Nate Schierholtz, Santiago Casilla
Indians
Shin-Soo Choo, Aaron Cunningham, Shelley Duncan, Jack Hannahan, Ubaldo Jimenez, Rafael Perez
Mariners
Mike Carp, Cesar Jimenez, Brendan Ryan, Jason Vargas
Marlins
Emilio Bonifacio, Sean West, Edward Mujica, Donnie Murphy
Mets
Manny Acosta, Andres Torres
Nationals
Roger Bernadina, Tyler Clippard, Ross Detwiler, Tom Gorzelanny, Mike Morse, Henry Rodriguez
Orioles
Robert Andino, Chris Davis, Dana Eveland, Jason Hammel, Jim Johnson, Jai Miller, Troy Patton, Nolan Reimold, Alfredo Simon, Pedro Strop, Taylor Teagarden
Padres
Edinson Volquez, Tim Stauffer, Dustin Moseley, Joe Thatcher, Ernesto Frieri, Cameron Maybin, Chris Denorfia
Phillies
John Mayberry
Pirates
Joel Hanrahan, Jeff Karstens, Chris Leroux, James McDonald, Charlie Morton, Chris Resop, Garrett Jones
Rangers
Nelson Cruz
Rays
Jake McGee, Jeff Niemann, Jose Lobaton, Elliot Johnson, Sam Fuld, Matt Joyce
Red Sox
Michael Bowden, Felix Doubront, Andrew Miller, Darnell McDonald, Franklin Morales, Matt Albers
Reds
Jose Arredondo, Homer Bailey, Bill Bray, Juan Francisco, Nick Masset, Wilson Valdez
Rockies
Carlos Gonzalez, Esmil Rogers, Chris Nelson, Eric Young, Josh Roenicke
Royals
Luke Hochevar, Luis Mendoza, Jose Mijares, Sean O’Sullivan, Felipe Paulino, Brayan Pena, Mitch Maier
Tigers
Collin Balester, Don Kelly, David Pauley, Clete Thomas
Twins
Jeff Gray, Matt Maloney, Glen Perkins, Anthony Swarzak, Alexi Casilla, Luke Hughes, Trevor Plouffe
White Sox
Alejando De Aza, Philip Humber, Brent Lillibridge
Yankees
Boone Logan, Chris Dickerson, Justin Maxwell
Clay Rapada has already been DFA’ed by the Orioles, so he can be removed from their list.
Thanks.
What about Jonathan Herrera? He looks to be OoO to me.
Reddick and Rosales of the A’s may also be out of options. I’ve combed through all their transactions with A’s, as well as their former teams (Red Sox and Reds), and they’ve both been optioned in 3 different seasons. And I’m pretty sure neither of them can qualify for a 4th option year.
Don’t think Reddick was optioned down in 2009- he was added to the 40 man on July 31, and pretty sure he stayed on the active roster the rest of the year.
I have confirmed that both have an option left and neither has four options.
Reddick has been optioned in 3 different seasons (2009, 2010, 2011), but he didn’t use up an option year in 2009. A player doesn’t burn an option year unless he spends 20+ days on option that year.
After his contract was purchased on 7/31/09, Reddick was only sent back down for 1 day (8/5) and then for 18 days (8/15 – 9/1). So no option burned.
Rosales is in the same boat. He was optioned in 2008, 2009, and 2011, but was only on option for 14 days in 2008 (8/16 – 8/19 and 8/30 – 9/8).
Wade LeBlanc has been optioned in each of the last three years, but I haven’t seen him on any lists. He shouldn’t have a 4th year based on his draft year, right?
LeBlanc is not eligible
He didn’t burn an option in 2010. He was only in the minors for a couple of days at the very beginning of the season.
I will look into Reddick and Rosales.
Wade LeBlanc has actually only been optioned twice. One of the times you are counting was for less than 20 days, so it doesn’t count.
I vaguely understand options. Somebody want to elaborate more? My understanding of them are basic…
When a player is placed on 40-man roster, he needs “assignment options” to be assigned to minors without clearing waivers. This helps a team have depth by having players in addition to the 25 MLB roster players who can be easily moved back and forth from the minors.
For most players, three seasons of assignment options are available to them. Four seasons of assignment options are available to players who are placed on the 40-man roster right out of high school.On a side note, players on the 40-man roster are exempt from Rule 5 drafts. In addition, prospects signed out of high school who are not on the 40-man but with less than five seasons of minor pro are also exempt. Also, prospects signed out of college who are not on 40-man but with less than four seasons of minor pro.In short, managing assignment options and 40-man roster placement helps a team keep prospect/assets and add depth to the 25-man MLB roster.Hopefully this helps.
Thanks! So if a player is DFA and out of options he is unlikely to make it back to the majors because he has to stay on the team? Michael Bowden and Andrew Miller for example on the Red Sox. They are either trade bait or going to be in the minors for a long time, right?
Great example….you can add Felix Doubrant to the mix of Bowden and Miller.
If any of them do not make the 25-man roster, then they must clear waivers in order for Red Sox to assign them to the minors. In any case, the player gets removed from the 40-man roster.
If he clears waivers, there is nothing stopping Boston from calling up the player back onto the 25-man (and 40-man) roster.
* edit * I believe there is a minimum stay period when assigned to the minors…not sure if 40-man status is part of the qualification
These players usually end up on a rebuilding team because the team can afford to develop a player while on the 25-man roster. Curiously, Kyle Weiland has assignment options but was part of a package in the trade to Astros for Meloncan. I would have thought Doubrant or Bowden would be sent instead. This probably suggests those two are destined for the bullpen.
Most Players are DFA because they are out of options.
Bernadina not having options could pose problems with him competing for the CF spot with Cameron/Ankiel
Nats have four years of control on Bernadina and only one for both Cameron and Ankiel. That has to factor into any decision.
But is Bernadina really going to start over Ankiel?
Cameron is going to be one part of the platoon(or at least I believe he is), just don’t know who’s going to be the righty specialist
I think Bernadina will be a bench player. He is very affordable in that he is in his final pre-arb year and has three years under arbitration.
Ankiel and Cameron are on minor league contracts and the non-roster invite list. They appear to be either place holders or insurance.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Nats are discussing BJ Upton with Tampa.
Affordability means nothing if he can’t produce on the field. That has been Bernadina’s problem since Day 1. He is far from assured of a roster spot this Spring.
How is Henry Sosa of the Astros out of options when his first big league experience was last year?
You start using your assignment options when you are placed on the 40-man roster and assigned to the minors. Prospects are added to the 40-man roster when they lose their Rule 5 draft exemption.
If you are on the 40-man in Spring Training and are optioned to the minors at the beginning of the year, an option year is used (assuming you stay in the minors for 20+ days).
I thought Deolis Guerra of the Twins from the Santana trade was out of options?
I think Sergio Santos is out of options, he was optioned in 2006 2007 and 2008 (ironically in the Blue Jays org as an INF)
Just noticed the multiyear deal thing, so yeah ignore me.
Ryan Roberts is OOO though I believe
Frankie De La Cruz is not found and Chris Narverson is know a Cardinal.
Chris Narveson is not a Cardinal, was one though but now a Brewer.
If a player has a tweaked hamstring or other fairly minor injury, out of options, like Andrew Miller, might it be wiser for the Sox to DFA him now, to sneak him through waivers? Other teams might not be inclined to claim him while he’s fighting a nagging injury.
OR if you are Ben C. keep him in camp til the end of ST then DL him for extended ST .
David Pauley is with O´s not Tigers
You show Luis Valbuena as with the Blue Jays. I search him and find him with the Cubs. Oops?