What does it mean when an MLB player is “out of options?” What other factors create spring training roster pressure? MLBTR’s Jeff Todd breaks it down in today’s video. To view our full list of out of options players on 40-man rosters, click here.
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If I was a woman, I would marry Jeff Todd.
Would you claim partial ownership of mlbtr in a divorce?
oh!
Hey, this is the 21st century, you can marry him (if he was still single).
Would have liked Jeff to start by explaining how options work relative to players. 3 option years, starts when a player is first placed on the 40-man, option burned at 20 games in the minors, etc. Talk about the purpose of the options system, which is to balance a team’s flexibility with protecting players from spending a whole career on a shuttle. That kind of intro might establish context for readers who are not already options-literate.
Appreciate the feedback.
This was meant to be more of a practical guide to the immediate relevance of options. I think it would require a lot more production to do something that goes into the level of detail you suggest.
We are definitely interested in doing more detailed, graphics-driven explainers in the future. That would help make it digestable and more enjoyable (less of me on the screen!). But a true “How MLB Options Work” video will require a much more dedicated investment of resources and thought to do well. We’ll get there!
I specifically don’t understand how Jorge Mateo is out of options when he hasn’t even played in MLB
A player can be added to the 40 man roster in the offseason and then be optioned to the minors during spring training for three straight years. That would use all the player’s options.
OK, I thought you actually had to go up/down during the season for the option to count.
Jeff – my comments were not intended to suggest that your video was not highly valuable. I very much like the idea of video explanations, particularly when you intersperse graphics (like when you jumped to a listing of out-of-options players) and i hope you continue them. My suggestions were only to make an already good product better.
i’m out of options. our taco bell closes at 11 now. even the drive through. i’ve been outrighted to the depths of despair.
If Taco Bell is closed, consider yourself fortunate as the usual options after such a meal is a) pepto, b) Imodium or c) both of the aforementioned.