What Are MLB Options?
Major League Baseball (MLB) options are a type of contract that teams use to control the movement of their players. Options are a way for teams to store their players in the minor leagues while maintaining a certain level of control over how and when they can be called up to the major leagues. These contracts come with a set of rules and regulations, and understanding how they work is key to understanding what happens when a player runs out of options.
The Basics of Options in MLB
When a player is signed to a Major League contract, he is given an option status. This option status determines how long the team can keep him in the minor leagues before he must be added to the team’s 25-man roster. A player who is “out of options” has exhausted his Major League options and must be placed on the 25-man roster or be released by the team.
What Are the Different Types of Options?
MLB contracts come with three different types of options:
- Major League Options – These are the most common type of option. They allow the team to send the player to the minor leagues without having to put him through waivers. The team can bring him back up to the major leagues at any time without having to pass him through waivers.
- Minor League Options – These are less common and are usually only used when the player is in the minor leagues and the team wants to keep him there. If a player has a Minor League Option, the team can send him back to the minor leagues without having to pass him through waivers.
- Outright Options – These are the least common type of option. They are used when the team wants to outright release the player and outright release him from their 25-man roster. The team does not need to pass the player through waivers when they outright release him.
What Happens When a Player Is Out of Options?
When a player is out of options, the team has three choices:
- The team can keep the player on the 25-man roster.
- The team can trade the player.
- The team can place the player on waivers.
If the player is placed on waivers, any other team in the league can claim him. If no team claims the player, then the team can either keep him on the 25-man roster or trade him. If the team chooses to keep the player on the 25-man roster, then he must remain there for the entire season.
What Are the Benefits of Options for Teams?
Options give teams flexibility in managing their rosters. Teams can keep players in the minor leagues to give them more time to develop, while still having the option to bring them up to the major leagues at any time. This allows teams to maintain control over their players and gives them the ability to move players in and out of the major leagues as needed.
What Are the Disadvantages of Options for Players?
Options can be a double-edged sword for players. On the one hand, they give players the opportunity to stay in the minor leagues and continue to develop their skills. On the other hand, options can be used by teams to manipulate players and limit their ability to reach free agency. If a player is out of options and no team claims him off waivers, then he must remain on the 25-man roster for the entire season, meaning he cannot reach free agency until the end of the season.
How Do Teams Decide Which Players to Use Options On?
Teams use options to control the movement of their players, so they typically only use options on players who are seen as long-term assets. When deciding which players to option, teams typically look at the player’s potential, his performance in the minor leagues, and any other factors that may influence the team’s decision.
What Happens When a Player Is Out of Options?
When a player is out of options, the team has three choices: they can keep the player on the 25-man roster, trade him, or place him on waivers. If the player is placed on waivers and no team claims him, then the team must either keep him on the 25-man roster or trade him. If the team chooses to keep the player on the 25-man roster, then he must remain there for the entire season.
Do Players Have Any Rights When Out of Options?
Players do not have any rights when out of options, as their contract is entirely at the discretion of the team. However, players can use the Major League Baseball Player’s Association to advocate for their rights and ensure that their rights are not violated by their team.
Conclusion
Options are an important part of MLB contracts, as they give teams flexibility in managing their rosters and give players the opportunity to stay in the minor leagues and develop their skills. When a player is out of options, the team has three choices: they can keep the player on the 25-man roster, trade him, or place him on waivers. If the player is placed on waivers and no team claims him, then the team must either keep him on the 25-man roster or trade him. Players do not have any rights when out of options, but they can use the Major League Baseball Player’s Association to advocate for their rights and ensure that their rights are not violated by their team.