difference between designated for assignment and outrighted

Follow Bless You Boys online:

Follow Bless You Boys on Twitter
Follow Bless You Boys on Facebook

Filed under:

MLB options, waivers and outright assignments, explained

Here’s a glossary of what MLB transaction terms really mean.

Share this story

Share this on Facebook
Share this on Twitter
Share this on Reddit
Share All sharing options

Share All sharing options for: MLB options, waivers and outright assignments, explained

Now that the 2017 World Series is over, Major League Baseball teams are wasting no time in making moves to adjust their rosters for the 2018 season.

Andrew Romine was placed on waivers and claimed by the Seattle Mariners . Jim Adduci cleared waivers and was outrighted to the minor leagues. Alex Presley cleared waivers, was outrighted, and elected free agency. Tyler Collins cleared waivers, was outrighted, and might elect free agency. Kyle Ryan, Myles Jaye , Bryan Holaday , and Efren Navarro were also placed on outright waivers. Eight players, all placed on waivers, with different situations.

Here is how they work.

What are waivers?

Waivers are a way for a major league team to take a player off its 40-man roster in order to send him outright to the minor leagues, or release him and let him become a free agent. A player cannot be removed from the 40-man roster without first clearing waivers, where all 29 other teams have a chance to claim that player, and his existing contract, for a modest waiver fee.

What are MLB options?

An option (optional assignment) allows a club to move a player on its 40-man roster to and from the minor leagues without exposing him to other teams.

Once a player is added to a team’s 40-man roster, his team has three options, or three different seasons in which the club may to send him to the minor leagues without having to clear waivers. A player on the 40-man roster playing in the minors is on optional assignment. There is no limit on the number of times a club may promote and demote a player during one option season.

A player must spend at least 20 days total in the minor leagues during one season (not including rehabilitation assignments) in order to be charged with an option. John Hicks was sent up and down a half dozen times during the 2017 season, but used just one option.

When a player is out of options, he cannot be sent to the minors without first clearing waivers. Also, a player who has accrued at least five years of major league service time may not be optioned to the minors without his consent. Hicks , as well as Bruce Rondon , Drew VerHagen , Matt Boyd and Buck Farmer are now out of options, so they will have to go on waivers if they don’t make the team in the spring.

There are three types of waivers.

Outright waivers

Outright waivers are used when a team wants to send a player to the minors but he is out of options. If the player clears waivers, he may be outrighted to the minor leagues.

However, a player may only be outrighted once during his career without his consent. When a player is outrighted for the second time or more, he may elect to become a free agent either immediately, if during the season, or as soon as the season is over, unless he is added back to the 40-man roster. This is why Tyler Collins can — and probably will — elect free agency.

A player with three years of major league service may also refuse an outright assignment and choose to become a free agent immediately or at the end of the season. Alex Presley, who has over four years of service time in the majors, rejected his outright assignment and chose free agency.

Release waivers

Release waivers are requested when a team wants to give a player his unconditional release.

Special waivers

Special Waivers , also known as revocable waivers or major league waivers, are used only between July 31 and the end of each season. These waivers are required in order to trade a player who is on the 40-man roster to another major league team after the trade deadline. Justin Verlander cleared waivers and was traded to the Houston Astros on August 31 in one of the most famous post-deadline trades ever.

What does it mean for a player to be designated for assignment?

A player may be designated for assignment (DFA) , giving the team 10 days to either trade him, or send him to the minor leagues, provided he clears waivers.

Romine and Presley were eligible for arbitration this offseason, and the Tigers were not prepared to risk going through that process with them. The same fate may await Bruce Rondon or Blaine Hardy, who are also eligible for arbitration this winter. BYB posted the projected salaries for the Tigers’ arbitration eligible players here .

Hardy still has an option year remaining, whereas Presley, Romine, and Rondon are all out of options.

The Tigers have until December 1 to offer a contract to their arbitration-eligible players. If they don’t make an offer, the player is said to be “non-tendered” and becomes a free agent.

Teams have until November 20 to submit their reserve lists of up to 40 players to the MLB office in advance of the Rule 5 draft. The Tigers will be adding some young players to the roster by that date, and will want to keep a spot or two open so that they may make a selection with their first pick in the draft on December 14.

Thursday was the day that players who are eligible for free agency became free agents, but the Tigers had no such players, having traded any would-be free agents during the season. Detroit formally declined their $16 million option on Anibal Sanchez on Thursday, paying him a $5 million buyout and making him a free agent.

What does designated for assignment mean in baseball? Explaining MLB's 'DFA' and contract implications

There are numerous transactions that can happen to an MLB player. They can be optioned down to the minors. They can be traded to another team. They can even just simply be cut.

One of the more unique-to-baseball transaction types is to be designated for assignment. If a big leaguer is underperforming significantly, a team might decide that it is time to hit the DFA button, which can have several different outcomes.

During the course of the MLB season, fans will often see players DFA'd by their teams. It is a particularly common process for players who are a bit more on the experienced side and in the middle of contracts.

Much of the other processes are more self explanatory. Trades and releases are obviously simple. Even options are fairly common knowledge. But what exactly does it mean to be designated for assignment?

MORE: How to watch 'Friday Night Baseball' on Apple TV+

Here's what you need to know.

What does designated for assignment mean in baseball?

Teams are only allowed to have 40 players on their roster at all times, with 26 of them active in the majors. Sometimes, teams make decisions to add someone to that 40-man roster, which means removing someone else.

In order to take someone off the 40-man roster, they must be designated for assignment. When that happens, a player is taken off the roster immediately and sits in a holding pattern for seven days. During that time frame, the team can trade the player away or place him on waivers.

Another team can claim the player on waivers, but it would require immediately placing that player on their own 40-man roster and taking on the remainder of that contract. Because waiver claims operate in a particular order, teams will sometimes trade for a DFA'd player rather than wait until waivers to make sure no one ahead of them in the order is able to claim that player.

There is always a chance the players go through waivers unclaimed. If that happens, teams have a few different options for what comes next. The team can release them or can outright them to the minors. However, not all DFA'd players have to go to the minors. A player can reject the minor-league assignment and head to free agency if he's been in the majors for at least three years or if he has been outrighted to the minors previously.

Being designated for assignment is different than being optioned to the minors, though sometimes the two can overlap. Players early in their careers have option years, during which they can be sent back to the minors five times per season after MLB promotions. Being optioned to the minors does not mean a player has to be designated for assignment unless he runs out of options.

If a team claims a player that has been designated for assignment, and that player still has minor league options left, the team can choose to use one to send the player to the minors, so long as he is still on the 40-man roster.

MORE: MLB pitch clock rules, explained

DFA contract implications

There are often talented players that hit waivers that will go unclaimed for one big reason: the contract.

If a player is claimed on waivers or acquired via trade, the team that added him would be taking on the remainder of the contract as well. Often, part of the reason a team would make the decision to DFA a player is in the hopes another might claim them and take the contract off the books.

However, if the player reaches free agency, he can sign a deal with any other team on a prorated portion of the MLB minimum, which is $720,000. The team that DFA'd would then pay that player the remaining salary owed to him on his original deal minus the prorated MLB minimum paid by the acquiring team.

Edward Sutelan is a content producer at The Sporting News.

How Does Designate For Assignment Work? [reasons, Process, & Outcomes]

If you follow Major League Baseball, then you must have heard of the term Designate for Assignment (DFA). When a player is DFA in baseball, various things can happen. Seeing this, you may ask, “what does designate for assignment mean?”

Designate for Assignment is a contractual term in MLB where the team removes the player from the active 40-man roster but still has the rights to the player. DFA puts the player on a waiver period where other teams can claim him.

But why does a team DFA a baseball player? What happens when a team designates a player for an assignment? Continue scrolling till the end as I answer all your questions regarding DFA in baseball.

Table of Contents

DFA Meaning Baseball

DFA is a term in Major League Baseball (MLB), which is a short form of “Designate for Assignment”. It means removing a player from the active roster of the baseball team without immediately releasing the member.

Many people confuse releasing with DFA. But they are different things. When a team designates a player for assignment, it is setting aside the player, not completely releasing them from the team.

Reasons for Designating Players for Assignment

A team can designate a player due to various reasons. It can be for changing the game strategy and tactics or trying to strengthen the team.

Here are the most common reasons why a baseball designates a player for assignment:

Performance issues: Performance reason is the primary reason for DFA. If a player fails to perform well and does not meet the team’s expectations, then the management may decide to DFA him and take someone else on the team.

The performance issues can be anything from struggling with batting to poor fielding or pitching and more. Even though the player is not performing well, the team may not want to leave the player completely. That is why they opt for DFA.

Making room for new players: If the management finds an excellent performer outside the team, then they might decide to DFA an existing player. It will create room for the new player.

The new player may come from performing fantastically in the minor league. Plus, the management may also trade in new players from other teams.

Creating balance in the team: Although the management plans well before listing their roster, they can still find an imbalance in the team. Besides, they may also want to switch players to change their game strategy.

In that case, designating a player for assignment from the team can be the best solution. It will allow the team to bring in a new player with the required skill to create balance in the baseball team.

Trade options: Teams may also want to trade a player and that is why they do DFA. If the team directly releases the player, it will not give them any financial benefit. But they can DFA the player and look for trade opportunities.

If any other team is interested in the player, they may try to buy the designated player. In that case, the original team will get financial benefits from the trade.

Injuries: Injuries can also be a reason for DFA. Athletes can get injured at any time while playing. If the injury lasts long, it can hurt the team as that member can not play for the team.

In that case, the team usually DFA the injured player. Then the team brings in fit baseball players to continue the campaign with a full active 40-man roster.

Designate for Assignment Process

Designate for Assignment in baseball is usually made by the team’s front office. It includes the coaching staff and general manager. They evaluate the player’s performance and the team’s need to make the call.

Once they make the decision, they will let the player and the MLB authority know about it. The team management will also inform the media about the decision to keep the fans updated and also let other teams know about player availability.

What Happens After Designation for Assignment?

When a player is designated for assignment, he enters the waiver period. It means the other baseball teams have the opportunity to claim the player. The waiver period usually lasts 7 days in MLB.

If another team claims the player during this waiver period, then they get all the rights to the player and can move him to their active roster. Such trading is common in other sports too.

In this scenario, the team who designated that player for assignment relinquishes all the rights of the player. Now, the new team will take care of the player’s contract and salary.

However, if no other team claims the player during the waiver period, he will be outright assigned to the minor leagues. It will happen when the player has minor league options remaining and is not claimed off waivers.

If the player is outrighted to the minor leagues, he will be removed from the MLB team’s 40-man roster. But he will remain with the organization and enjoy all the benefits.

Interestingly, the player has two choices here. He can either accept the outright assignment and play in the minor leagues or can ask for release and become a free agent.

Many players often are not interested in playing in the minor leagues. In that case, they ask for release after the DFA. Then he becomes a free agent, and any other MLB team can sign that player.

1. What is the difference between DFA and being released?

The main difference between DFA and being released is that the team retains the right to the player in DFA. But when the team releases a player in baseball, it terminates all the contracts between them, and the team holds no right to the player.

2. What is the difference between options and designated for assignment?

The main difference between options and designated for assignment is that the option allows the team to send the player to the minor leagues without putting him into the waiver period. That means no other team can claim the player.

3. Can a player refuse assignment after being designated for assignment?

No. A player usually does not hold the right to refuse a designate for assignment. However, if he has been with MLB for over 3 years or has been outrighted previously, he can refuse the outright assignment.

4. Can a team designate a player for assignment multiple times?

Yes. A team can designate a player multiple times during their contract period. Whenever the team feels that the player is failing to meet the team’s expectations, they can DFA the player.

My Opinion on DFA

DFA in baseball can be tough for players. The miseries enhance when no other team shows interest in claiming or trading that player.

But it is good practice to get better team results in the MLB. The process allows the team to reorganize and improve their performance. Besides, it also allows the player to look for better opportunities in other teams.

For these reasons, I think DFA is a pretty good option for both the team and the player. It can benefit both parties.

Learn More What Is A Breaking Ball?

What Is WAR (Wins Above Replacement) In Baseball

What Does Defect Mean In Baseball?

What Is The Dropped Third Strike Rule

What Is The Pennant In Baseball

Hello everyone. My name is Jason Butler, and I live in California, America. I was a professional AAA Minor League Baseball player. I lost my chance of playing MLB for injury issues, but I did not lose my love for baseball. I attended the coaching training program and am now working as a coach in a small school in San Diego.

I always love to share my experience and knowledge if that can help you. Play baseball, and stay fit.

What is the distinction between being optioned and designated for assignment in baseball? What happens when a player is out of options or declines an assignment?

In baseball, there is a distinction between being optioned and designated for assignment. Let's break down each term and understand what happens when a player is out of options or declines an assignment.

When a player is optioned, it means they are being sent from the Major Leagues to the Minor Leagues without being subjected to waivers [1] .
Players on a team's 40-man roster are given three Minor League options. These options allow the team to move the player between the Major and Minor Leagues without exposing them to other teams [1] .
Each season, a player can be optioned multiple times, but only one option is used per season [1] .
Once an optioned player has spent at least 20 days in the Minors in a given season, they lose one of their options [1] .
If a player is out of options, they cannot be sent to the Minors without first clearing waivers [2] .
Position players must remain in the Minors for a minimum of 10 days before being eligible to be recalled to the Major League roster, while pitchers have a minimum of 15 days [1] .

Designated for Assignment (DFA):

When a player is designated for assignment, they are immediately removed from the team's 40-man roster [3] .
The team then has seven days to either return the player to the 40-man roster, place the player on waivers, trade the player, release the player, or send the player outright to the Minor Leagues [3] .
If a player is placed on waivers after being designated for assignment, it is typically for the purpose of outrighting them to one of the club's Minor League teams [3] .
If a player is outrighted to the Minors, they are removed from the 40-man roster but still paid according to the terms of their guaranteed contract [3] .
A player can only be outrighted once in their career without their consent [3] .
If a player has five or more full years of Major League service, they must consent to be assigned to the Minors. If they withhold consent, the team must either release them or keep them on the Major League roster [3] .

What happens when a player is out of options or declines an assignment:

If a player declines an assignment to the Minors, the team must either release them or keep them on the Major League roster [3] .
If a player is released, they become a free agent and can sign with any team [3] .

Learn more:

Minor League Options | Glossary | MLB.com
MLB options, waivers and outright assignments, explained - Bless You Boys
Designated for assignment - Wikipedia

Continue the conversation

Explore more.

Designated for Assignment in Baseball: Key Rules and Strategies

In Major League Baseball, team rosters and player contracts are subject to constant change. One particular term that holds significant importance in this regard is “designate for assignment” (DFA).Understanding the DFA process and its implications on a player’s career is essential for anyone looking to learn more about the intricacies of Major League Baseball.

When a player’s contract is designated for assignment, he is removed from his team’s 40-man roster immediately. This action triggers a seven-day window within which the team must either trade the player or place him on irrevocable outright waivers.

The primary objective of the DFA process is to create flexibility for teams to manage their rosters while allowing them the opportunity to keep or release players based on performance or strategic considerations.

In general, a player that has been designated for assignment may find his career trajectory altered, as he could either end up being traded to another team, outrighted to a minor league team, or released from his contract entirely. As such, the DFA process plays a vital role in shaping the dynamics of professional baseball, impacting both teams and players alike.

Designate for Assignment Definition

Reasons for designating a player, waiver period, player outcomes, roster management, trade opportunities, notable dfa examples.

Designate for Assignment (DFA) is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball (MLB) when a team wants to remove a player from its 40-man roster.

This action allows the team to make room for a new player or provide flexibility in managing its roster. Once a player is designated for assignment, the team has seven days to decide the player’s fate, which could include trading, releasing, or outrighting the player to the minor leagues, among other options.

In addition to being removed from the 40-man roster, the player is also taken off the team’s active roster, meaning they cannot participate in any games during the seven-day period. The designated player’s contract remains in force, and they continue to receive their salary and benefits during this time.

To facilitate the player’s potential move to another team or the minor leagues, the player can be placed on waivers for a specified period. Waivers provide other MLB teams with the opportunity to claim the player and assume their contract. If multiple teams place a claim, the team with the weakest record in the player’s league is given priority. If the player is not claimed by any team during the waiver period, they can then be outrighted to the minor leagues, traded, or released.

However, if the player has accrued a specific amount of Major League service time, they may have the right to refuse an outright assignment to the minor leagues, opting instead for free agency.

There are various reasons a baseball team might opt to designate a player for assignment (DFA). One common reason is to make room on the 40-man roster for another player. The move allows the team to immediately remove a player from their roster and provides them with some roster flexibility.

Another reason for designating a player is due to their performance. If a player is experiencing a significant slump or has consistently failed to meet the team’s expectations, the DFA process can be implemented as a method to allow the player to refocus, find their form, or make adjustments while they are in the minor leagues.

Injuries can also be a factor. When a player sustains a serious injury and is unable to contribute to the team, it may be necessary to designate them for assignment to open a roster spot for a healthy replacement. Similarly, when a player who was previously on the injured list is ready to return to the team, the organization may need to DFA another player to make room.

Lastly, financial considerations can come into play. In some cases, a team might designate a player for assignment due to their contract, such as when a high-priced player is underperforming and the team wishes to move on without having to pay that player’s remaining salary. This could make DFA an option for teams who are trying to reduce payroll while still retaining some control.

DFA Process

The process of Designated for Assignment (DFA) in baseball involves removing a player from a team’s 40-man roster. This step provides teams with flexibility in managing their player rosters and creates opportunities for the player in question to find a new role within another team.

When a player is designated for assignment, the team has seven days to determine the next course of action. During this period, the player can be traded or placed on irrevocable outright waivers, allowing other teams to claim the player (MLB.com) .

There are several possible outcomes for a player who has been designated for assignment:

Returned to the 40-man roster: The team can choose to reverse the decision and return the player to the 40-man roster
Trade: The player can be traded to another team during the waiver period, allowing both teams to negotiate a mutually beneficial agreement.
Waivers: If the player is placed on waivers and claimed by another team, the new team takes responsibility for the player’s contract.
Release: The player is released from the team, effectively making them a free agent and able to negotiate a new contract with any team.
Outright to the Minor Leagues: If the player clears waivers, meaning no teams claim the player, they can be outrighted from the 40-man roster into Minor League Baseball, allowing the player to continue their career within the organization.

The DFA process creates flexibility for teams to adjust their rosters as needed, while providing players with the opportunity to find new roles within the league.

Strategies and Implications

Designating a player for assignment (DFA) is a useful roster management tool in baseball. When a player is designated for assignment , they are immediately removed from the team’s 40-man roster, but their rights are retained by the team. This allows the team to explore different options within a seven-day window, such as trading the player or placing them on irrevocable outright waivers.

Utilizing the DFA process can help teams manage their roster more effectively by providing flexibility in making decisions. Teams may choose to designate a player for assignment if they need to clear roster space for an incoming player or if they believe the player is no longer a suitable fit for the team’s strategy. This process also provides teams with the opportunity to find appropriate solutions for both the team and the player, minimizing the risk of losing the player without receiving any return value.

When a player is designated for assignment, there are trade opportunities that may benefit the team. The player can be traded to another team within the seven-day window, allowing the original team to potentially receive assets in return. This can include other players, cash considerations, or a combination of both.

Trading a designated player provides teams with the possibility of acquiring additional resources that may be more aligned with their strategic goals or fill specific needs on the roster. It serves as a last resort for the team to recoup some value from the player before potentially losing them via waivers.

In summary, the designated for assignment process in baseball offers valuable roster management and trade opportunities for teams. By strategically using this tool, teams can optimize their roster composition and take advantage of potential trade returns to build a competitive team.

Throughout the history of Major League Baseball, many players have been designated for assignment (DFA). While some DFA cases are unremarkable, others involve notable players or have led to interesting outcomes. Here are a few prominent examples:

One such case involved former World Series MVP Pablo Sandoval who was designated for assignment by the Boston Red Sox in 2017. After experiencing a significant decline in performance and dealing with health issues, the Red Sox ultimately DFA’d Sandoval , eventually releasing him.

Another significant example is the 2018 DFA placement of four-time All-Star Adrian Gonzalez by the New York Mets. The first baseman struggled in his time with the Mets and was consequently designated for assignment , eventually released and then retiring.

Former Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum also experienced a notable DFA in 2016, when the Los Angeles Angels removed him from their 40-man roster due to poor performance. In this case, Lincecum cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A before ultimately electing free agency later that year.

In summary, these notable DFA examples showcase the unpredictability and challenges faced by professional baseball players. The designated for assignment process is a reminder that no player is immune to changes in performance, injuries, or other factors that may lead to their removal from a team’s 40-man roster.

Understanding DFA in Baseball: Implications, Options, and Opportunities

Have you ever heard the term “DFA” in baseball and wondered what it meant? Well, you’re not alone. DFA stands for “Designated for Assignment,” and it’s a term used when a team removes a player from its 40-man roster. But what does that really mean? In this article, I’ll break down the ins and outs of DFA in baseball, explaining why teams use it and what happens to players who are designated for assignment.

When a player is DFA’d, it doesn’t necessarily mean the end of their career. In fact, it’s often just the beginning of a new chapter. Being designated for assignment gives the team a few options – they can trade the player, release them, or send them to the minor leagues if they clear waivers. It’s a strategic move that teams make to free up roster spots or to give struggling players a chance to work on their skills without taking up a valuable spot on the active roster. So, let’s dive deeper into the world of DFA in baseball and explore its significance in the game.

Key Takeaways

What is dfa in baseball.

Designated for Assignment (DFA) is a term commonly used in baseball when a player is removed from a team’s 40-man roster. It’s a strategic move made by teams to either free up roster spots or give struggling players a chance to improve their skills. But what exactly does it mean?

DFA is a valuable tool for teams as it allows them to make necessary adjustments to their roster. It’s often used when a team needs to make room for a new addition or when a player is underperforming and the team wants to give them an opportunity to work on their skills in a less pressurized environment.

So, while DFA may signify a player’s removal from a team’s roster, it’s not the end of the road for their baseball career. It’s an opportunity for them to reassess, improve, and potentially find success with another team.

The Meaning of DFA

DFA is a term used when a player is being removed from a team’s 40-man roster. It’s important to note that being DFA’d does not necessarily mean the end of a player’s career. In fact, it’s just the beginning of a new chapter for them.

When a player is DFA’d, the team typically has a few options. They can trade the player to another team, release them, or send them to the minor leagues if they clear waivers. These options give the player a chance to continue their career elsewhere or to work on their skills and make a comeback.

So why do teams use the DFA process? There are a few reasons. One common reason is to free up roster spots. When a team needs to make room for a new player, they may choose to DFA someone who is underperforming or no longer fits into their plans. DFA is a strategic move that allows teams to make necessary adjustments to their roster and improve their chances of success.

In the world of baseball, DFA may seem like a harsh term, but it’s an essential tool for teams to make adjustments and give struggling players a chance to improve. Rather than the end, DFA is often the beginning of a new chapter for players, where they can redefine themselves and find success once again.

Why Teams use DFA

Options for players designated for assignment.

When a player is designated for assignment (DFA), it doesn’t necessarily mean that their career is over. Teams have several options for dealing with players who have been DFA’d, depending on their unique circumstances. In this section, I will explore these options and shed light on what they mean for the players involved.

The Significance of DFA in Baseball

When and why is a player dfa’d.

Teams designate a player for assignment when they need to make room on their active roster for a new addition, typically from the minor leagues or through a trade. Players can also be DFA’d if they are underperforming, injured, or no longer fitting into the team’s long-term plans.

An Opportunity for Change

Dfa: a player’s options.

The designation for assignment is a significant moment in a player’s baseball journey. It represents a crossroads where their future is uncertain, yet filled with potential for positive change. Whether it’s a chance to be traded, reclaim a spot on the roster, or find a new team, DFA serves as a turning point for players to redefine their careers.

While being DFA’d can be disheartening, it’s important for players to remember that it’s not the end of their careers. Instead, it’s a turning point that allows them to redefine their paths and seek new opportunities. With determination and a willingness to adapt, players can bounce back and make a comeback.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: what is dfa in baseball, q: why would a player be dfa’d.

A: Players might be DFA’d if the team needs to make room on the roster, or if the player is underperforming or no longer fitting into the team’s plans.

Q: What happens to a player after being DFA’d?

Q: what implications does dfa have for a player’s career, q: how can dfa be seen as a turning point for players.

A: DFA represents a turning point for players to redefine their careers and seek new opportunities. It’s a chance to make adjustments and potentially find success with a different team or in a different role.

Sports Reference ®
Football (college)
Basketball (college)
Stathead ®
Questions or Comments?
Welcome · Your Account
Create Account
Full Site Menu Below
Bullpen Front Page
BR Front Page
What links here
Related changes
Special pages
Printable version
Permanent link
Page information
Community portal
What's Happening
Recent changes
Random page
Upload wizard
BULLPEN SUBSITE Tools :
Not logged in
Contributions
Request account

Personal Tools

View history

Designated for assignment

A player is designated for assignment when his team wants to replace him on the active roster and he is out of options . The team thus announces its wish to send the player to the minor leagues and places his name on waivers . If the player is claimed, a trade may be worked out between the two teams. If the player is unclaimed, he can either accept the minor league assignment, or opt to become a free agent immediately.

Teams have the right to assign a player whose options have all been used outright to the minors only once during his career. This can only be done if his major league service time does not exceed a certain number of days. If he cannot be outrighted, the "designated for assignment" procedure kicks in. Of course, if a team thinks it has no further use for this player even in its minor league system, it can simply hand him his unconditional release . This results in the player immediately becoming a free agent.

This page was last edited on 8 April 2008, at 14:05.
Content is available under GNU Free Documentation License unless otherwise noted.
About the BR Bullpen
Disclaimers

Full Site Menu

Return to Top
Major League Players Current Greats: Clayton Kershaw , Mike Trout , Mookie Betts , Jacob deGrom , Miguel Cabrera , Zack Greinke , Jose Altuve , ... All-Time Greats: Stan Musial , Barry Bonds , Babe Ruth , Derek Jeter , Oscar Charleston , Ken Griffey Jr , Jackie Robinson , Hank Aaron , ...
Major League Teams NL East : Atlanta Braves , Miami Marlins , New York Mets , Philadelphia Phillies , Washington Nationals NL Central : Chicago Cubs , Cincinnati Reds , Milwaukee Brewers , Pittsburgh Pirates , St. Louis Cardinals NL West : Arizona Diamondbacks , Colorado Rockies , Los Angeles Dodgers , San Diego Padres , San Francisco Giants AL East : Baltimore Orioles , Boston Red Sox , New York Yankees , Tampa Bay Rays , Toronto Blue Jays AL Central : Chicago White Sox , Cleveland Guardians , Detroit Tigers , Kansas City Royals , Minnesota Twins AL West : Houston Astros , Los Angeles Angels , Oakland Athletics , Seattle Mariners , Texas Rangers
Seasons 2023 , 2022 , 2023 MLB Pitching , 2023 MLB Batting , 2023 MLB Standings , 2023 MLB Attendance , 2023 MLB Rookies , ...
Major League Leaders 2023 MLB Batting , 2023 MLB Pitching , Career WAR Leaders , Single-Season Home Run Leaders , Active Strikeout Leaders , Upcoming Player Milestones , ...
MLB Scores Yesterday's MLB Games , Scores from any date in Major League history , MLB Probable Pitchers , Baseball-Reference Stream Finder , ...
MLB Schedule
MLB Standings AL Standings , NL Standings , Standings for any date in history , ...
Playoffs World Series Winners , 2019 World Series: Astros vs Nationals , 2018 World Series: Red Sox vs Dodgers , 2017 World Series: Astros vs Dodgers , World Series Batting Leaders , World Series Pitching Leaders , ...
Stathead Player Finders: Season & Career Finder , Game Finder , Streak Finder , Span Finder , Split Finder , Player Comparison Finder , ... Team Finders: Season Finder , Game Finder , Streak Finder , Span Finder , Split Finder , Event Finder , ... Other Finders: Draft Finder , Team Trade Histories , Head-to-Head Records , ...
Managers Active: Terry Francona , Rocco Baldelli , Dave Roberts , ... Retired: John McGraw , Bobby Cox , Earl Weaver , ...
Awards Baseball Hall of Fame , MLB MVP's , MLB Cy Young Award , MLB Rookie of the Year , Rawlings Gold Gloves , 2023 HOF results , 2024 Hall of Fame ballot , ...
All-Star Games 2023 All-Star Game , 2022 All-Star Game , All-Time All-Star Batters , All-Time All-Star Pitchers , ...
Frivolities and More Oracle of Baseball , Uniform Number Tracker , Cups of Coffee , Pronunciation Guide , Birthplaces , Players by School Attended , ....
MLB Draft 2022 Draft , 2021 Draft , 2020 Draft , MLB Number One Picks , ...
Minor, Foreign, College, & Black Baseball Minor League Stats , Black Baseball Stats , Nippon Pro Baseball Stats , Cuban National Series Stats , Korean Baseball Stats , 2023 Minor Leagues , 2023 Affiliates , ...
Baseball-Reference Bullpen 100,000+ pages of baseball information , How to Contribute , ...
About Baseball Reference Batting Glossary , Pitching Glossary , Wins Above Replacement Explainer , WAR data archive , BR Data Coverage , Frequently Asked Questions about MLB and Baseball , ...
Baseball-Reference.com Blog and Articles

We're Social...for Statheads

Every Sports Reference Social Media Account

Site Last Updated:

Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction?

Subscribe to our Free Email Newsletter

Subscribe to Stathead Baseball: Get your first month FREE Your All-Access Ticket to the Baseball Reference Database

Do you have a sports website? Or write about sports? We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Find out more.

FAQs, Tip & Tricks

Learn about the Wins Above Replacement Formula
Tips and Tricks from our Blog.
Do you have a blog? Join our linker program.
Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead
Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine

All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. We present them here for purely educational purposes. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos.

Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net.

Much of the play-by-play, game results, and transaction information both shown and used to create certain data sets was obtained free of charge from and is copyrighted by RetroSheet .

Win Expectancy, Run Expectancy, and Leverage Index calculations provided by Tom Tango of InsideTheBook.com , and co-author of The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball .

Total Zone Rating and initial framework for Wins above Replacement calculations provided by Sean Smith.

Full-year historical Major League statistics provided by Pete Palmer and Gary Gillette of Hidden Game Sports .

Some high school data is courtesy David McWater.

Many historical player head shots courtesy of David Davis. Many thanks to him. All images are property the copyright holder and are displayed here for informational purposes only.

High School
SportsbookWire

Talking Baseball: What exactly does designated for assignment mean?

Like any industry, baseball has its own specific jargon, a technical vocabulary that expands the deeper you dive into the game. spring training brings a lot of these terms to the fore and is thus the perfect time to define them, both broadly and in t.

Like any industry, baseball has its own specific jargon, atechnical vocabulary that expands the deeper you dive into thegame. Spring training brings a lot of these terms to the fore andis thus the perfect time to define them, both broadly and in thecontext of the 2012 Red Sox. Think of it as your primer to thewhole season, one word at a time.

Additions to the list can be suggested by [email protected] [email protected].

•Competition: This is when two or more players have achance to win a particular roster spot. Players can enhance theirchances with impressive statistics during spring training, butstatistics aren't even close to the end-all, be-all given how smallthe sample size is and how volatile the quality of competition canbe. A home run off Justin Verlander in the second inning of anexhibition game matters much more than a home run off a Triple-Apitcher in the eighth inning of that same game.

"We like it for spring training," said Red Sox general managerBen Cherington. "We've had years where we haven't had a ton ofcompetition for the team. Some level of competition is healthy. Itgives Bobby [Valentine] and the staff a chance to evaluate playersin a little bit more legitimate setting. Spring training's not thebest time to evaluate players, but when guys are trying to win ajob, you're seeing a version of them that's closer to the realthing. There's some merit, some benefit to having a team that's notgoing through spring training just getting ready for Opening Day,and going through spring training with a purpose, with something atstake. We'll have that this spring, at at least a few differentspots."

•Designate for assignment (DFA): A player is designated forassignment when he is removed from the 40-man roster to make roomfor a different player. Once a team DFAs a player, it has 10 daysto trade him, release him or place him on waivers. If the playerclears waivers, he can then be outrighted to the minor leagues.

Since the start of 2011, the Red Sox have designated 12 playersfor assignment, including Scott Atchison three times. The Soxtraded Robert Coello and Mike Cameron shortly after designatingthem, while everyone else cleared waivers and - initially, at least- stayed with the organization.

•Disabled List (15-day): A player who is injured can bereplaced by another player if he is placed on the 15-day disabledlist. The replacement must either already be on the 40-man rosteror must be added to the 40-man roster.

•Disabled List (60-day): For players who are expected to beout longer than 60 days, the team can replace them on the 40-manroster temporarily. John Lackey and Daisuke Matsuzaka, both of whomare rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, figure to begin the seasonon the 60-day disabled list. Neither can be placed on the 60-daydisabled list until a day or two before the season starts, however,meaning at least two spots on the 40-man roster figure to open upfor players on minor-league contracts.

•Evaluate: The most commonly-used four-syllable verb eachspring. Baseball consensus is that evaluations are particularlydifficult during spring training given the vast array ofcircumstances surrounding games and at-bats.

Complicating issues even more is the number of spots where theRed Sox need to make smart evaluations. The sheer quantity ofpitchers in the mix for rotation and bullpen spots means Bostoncould be forced to have some of them accumulate innings inminor-league games, further skewing otherwise comparablestatistics.

•Extended Spring Training: Young players who are not readyfor a full-season minor league - usually recent draftees out ofhigh school or Latin American signees under the age of 20 - spendthe first half of the season working out at the Red Sox facility inFort Myers before joining the short-season Single-A Lowell Spinnersin June. Commonly shortened to "extended," as in, "Ryan Kalish willstart the season in 'extended' while he rehabs his shoulder."

[email protected]

Follow Purple Row online:

Follow Purple Row on Twitter
Follow Purple Row on Facebook

Filed under:

MLB Transactions Part Three: Waivers and DFA

Share this story.

Share this on Facebook
Share this on Twitter
Share this on Reddit
Share All sharing options

Share All sharing options for: MLB Transactions Part Three: Waivers and DFA

For part three of my major league transactions series, I'll examine the wide and wonderful world of waivers, which includes the dreaded "designated for assignment". For those of you that missed my previous articles, I wrote about salary arbitration and minor league options . As the season quickly approaches, I'll try my best to deal with some of the decisions that the Rockies will be facing as they construct their roster along the lines of these transaction rules. Once again, Jeff Euston of Cot's Baseball Contracts' work was invaluable in the research and completion of this article. I'll warn you, it's another long one.

Waiver Eligibility

Before I dive headlong into waivers, it's probably a good idea to explain which players are among those likely to be put on waivers. First of all, to be eligible to be placed on waivers, a player must have a major league contract --in other words, he has to be on the 40 man roster. This is why players like Josh Fogg, Matt Belisle, Glendon Rusch, and Scott Podsednik have nothing to fear from waivers--they do not possess a major league contract, only a non-guaranteed minor league deal that they have the option of accepting or not if they don't break camp with the team. Actually, I'm sure that each of these players would like to have to be worried about waivers, because that would mean that they had a guaranteed deal. If one or more of those players does make the club, they would be signed to a major league deal and be eligible for waivers.

Secondly, a player being placed on waivers is usually, but not always, out of minor league options . Options are an easy way for a team to shuttle 40 man roster players from majors to minors and vice versa, and players with them are not usually unnecessarily exposed to waivers. Teams would place a player with options on waivers if, for instance, they wanted to release him or the player requested it.

Cory Sullivan is an example of this. Last year, the Rockies used an option on him, but one time that he was sent down he requested to the team that they expose him to waivers so he could test the market. The Rockies obliged, but with his foolish $1 million guaranteed salary, no team was willing to take him off of our hands. Once he cleared waivers, the Rockies removed him from the 40 man roster and placed him in AAA. He was put back on the roster when Podsednik went down, but after the season, the Rockies put him on waivers again--this time he became a free agent as his contract was up--and the Mets signed him to a major league contract.

In any case, the major league contract and a lack of minor league options are the two factors that most often lead to a player being placed on waivers. This year, the players on the Rockies that have something to fear this spring are relief pitchers Ryan Speier and Juan Morillo. They have no minor league options remaining, as I explored last week, and the Rockies likely has room for only one of them if at all. At least one of them will likely be placed on waivers, or rather designated for assignment, which I will discuss later.

Types of Waivers

So, what exactly is a waiver? A waiver (MLB Rule 9) is a permission from other clubs to trade or assign a Major League player’s contract. Basically, this means that the 29 other MLB clubs will have a crack at a player once a team puts him on waivers--but if none do claim him and put him on their 25 man roster, his team can assign him to the minors, trade him, or release him outright. However, this describes only one of the three types of waiver situations--the irrevocable waiver.

Wait a second--there are three kinds of waivers? Yes sir, there are three kinds of waivers that a MLB player can be subjected to: Unconditional Release , Irrevocable Outright , and Revocable Major League waivers.

I'll discuss each of these waiver transactions after the jump...

Unconditional Release Waivers

This is the most basic of the waiver rules, in which clubs place players on waivers that they intend to release from the organization completely. The player then may be claimed for as little as $1 by any team, but the player may choose to refuse the claim and become a free agent. An example of this is the Astros' release of Shawn Chacon after his shoving match with GM Ed Wade. Houston didn't want the Colorado native in their organization anymore, so they flat out released him.

Irrevocable Outright Waivers

As the title would suggest, once a player is placed on irrevocable outright waivers, his team may not pull him off of them, as is the case for the last set of waivers. This is the most common of waivers situations. As discussed above, irrevocable outright waivers are the waivers teams use to kick a player off of their 40-man roster while keeping him in the minor league system. They're also the waivers to use when a club wishes to send a player who is out of options to the minors (thereby also removing him from the 40-man roster). Players that are placed on irrevocable outright waivers are usually those that have been designated for assignment by their team, which will be described more fully later on.

In any case, competing teams wishing to claim a player on outright waivers must pay a $20,000 waiver fee to the team owning his rights. The claiming team pays the player the major-league minimum salary for the rest of the season (a pro-rated $400k in 2009), and the original club is responsible for the balance of his contract. Waiver claims are prioritized in reverse order of W-L record as follows:

November 11 - April 30 (or the 30th day of the next season): The club with the worst won-loss record in the previous season has priority.

May 1 – July 31 (31st day of the season – July 31): The club with the worst won-loss record in the current season has priority.

August 1 through November 10 : The club with the worst won-loss record in the current season has priority, but American League clubs have priority for AL players, and National League clubs have priority for NL players.

From September 1st to the 30th day of the next season, outright waivers are called Special Waivers .

If a player does in fact clear waivers, he is outrighted to the minors. Though he has been removed from the 40-man roster, the player is still paid according to the terms of his guaranteed contract. A player can only be outrighted once in his career without his consent. His options on subsequent outrightings are as follows:

1) Reject the assignment and become a free agent

2) Accept the assignment and become a free agent at the end of the season if he’s not back on the 40-man roster.

In addition, a player with 3 years of major league service may refuse an outright assignment and choose to become a free agent, regardless of whether he has been sent outright to the minors previously. A player with five or more years of ML service time, as with minor league options, is given even more rights. The player cannot be outrighted even once without Veteran's Consent , even if he clears waivers. If the player refuses his assignment to the minors, the team must either release him, making him a free agent, or keep him on the major league roster.

Regardless, in the case of the five-year service player, the team is obligated to pay the player under the terms of his guaranteed contract. If he is released and signs with a new team, his previous team must pay the difference in salary between the two contracts if the previous contract called for a greater salary.

Furthermore, a club may not request outright waivers on a player with a complete no-trade clause or on a player ten-and-five rights (10 years of ML service, the last 5 with his current team). The player can, however, waive those rights and accept the trade if it is to his liking. So for instance, the Rockies could only trade Todd Helton were he to accept the trade.

Designated for Assignment

Since it is usually the precursor for a player being placed on outright waivers, let's discuss being designated for assignment. A player that is designated for assignment is removed from his club’s 40-man roster and, within the next 10 days, traded, released or, if he clears outright waivers, assigned to the minor leagues. A club may not designate a player for assignment if the corresponding transaction is to recall a player on optional assignment. Here are the options a club has in some more detail:

Trade: A club interested in acquiring a player who has been designated for assignment may try to work out a trade before the player is placed on waivers, eliminating the possibility he might be claimed by a club with a higher waiver claim priority. Players with "10 and 5 rights" may not be traded without their consent.
Release: The player then becomes a free agent. He may sign with any club, including the team that released him.
Waivers: A club wishing to send a player designated for assignment to the minor leagues must first place him on irrevocable outright waivers, making him available to the other 29 clubs in reverse order of won-lost record.

In other words, a club DFA's a player to give themselves some options. The biggest benefit to a team when a player is DFA'd, the club gets to fill his 40 man roster slot while not committing yet to a formal course of action with the player. Note that of the ten day period, the player must be placed on waivers before seven days have passed if the team wishes to go that route.

Revocable Major League Waivers

This final set of waivers is perhaps the most difficult for fans to understand. However, the purpose is clear. Revocable major league waivers are utilized in August as a means to gauge trade interest in certain players. After all, in MLB between August 1 and the end of the season, a player may not be traded without first clearing major league waivers--making these waivers (August 1-August 31) the only way for a team to fill a late season hole in their roster.

From a team's standpoint, they have nothing to lose by placing a player on ML waivers, as the waivers are revocable. If another team puts in a claim on a player, the original club can simply pull their player off waivers. Here's basically how it works, largely courtesy of Jayson Stark:

Virtually every player in the major leagues will be placed on ML waivers this month, whether a team intends to trade that player or not. If nothing else, the sheer volume of names can at least disguise players whom clubs do want to sneak through so they can be dealt.
If a player isn't claimed by any team in either league within 47 business-day hours of being placed on waivers, he can be traded until the end of the month to any team .
If a player is claimed, but only by one team, the player can be traded only to the team that claims him. Teams must work out a trade with the claiming club within 48 ½ business-day hours, pull the player off waivers, or give him to the other team (see below).
Like outright waivers, a player with a no-trade clause who is claimed must be pulled back if the player’s no-trade clause allows him to block a deal to the claiming club. However, the player may waive the no-trade clause and join the claiming club.
If a player is claimed by more than one team, the club with the worst record in that player's league gets priority -- and the player can be traded only to that team.
If a player is claimed only by teams in the other league, the club with the worst record in the other league gets priority -- and the player can be traded just to that team.
If a deal can't be worked out or the team doesn't want to trade that player, he can be pulled back off waivers once in August. If he is placed on waivers again before September, he can't be recalled a second time--in other words, the waivers become irrevocable.
Or, if a team is just hoping to dump a player's salary, it can simply allow a team which claimed that player to have him for a small waiver fee (again, $20,000). If that happens, the team that gets the player has to pay his entire salary, assuming responsibility for his current contract.

A common ploy in past years has been for lower-record teams to block the waiver claims of contenders, but in these economic times, those teams can't risk being saddled with an unwieldy contract.

Finally, for those of you that read last week's options column, there is an exception to the options rules that involves waivers. Major League (revocable) waivers are required when optioning a player who has options remaining but who is more than three calendar years removed from his first appearance on a Major League roster (like Huston Street and Brad Hawpe, for instance). Because major league waivers are revocable, players usually clear them in this scenario. Sorry for steering you a little off course last week by not mentioning that exception.

So there you have it. Maybe the next time that you see that someone has been put on waivers, you'll remember my column and understand why the club making that particular transaction. Thanks for reading!

Sources and Additional Reading

Highly suggested for those that are interested in learning more about waivers.

Waivers Primer

ML (August) Waivers

Death, Taxes, and Waivers

Follow Viva El Birdos online:

Follow Viva El Birdos on Twitter
Follow Viva El Birdos on Facebook

Filed under:

A Primer on Unconditional Release and Outright Assignment Waivers With TL;DR Bullet Summary

Don’t be afraid. The core points are accessible for everyone!

Share this story

Share this on Facebook
Share this on Twitter
Share this on Reddit
Share All sharing options

Share All sharing options for: A Primer on Unconditional Release and Outright Assignment Waivers With TL;DR Bullet Summary

In Part I of this series, I discussed the history of trade deadlines and set forth a primer on the new rules concerning the trade deadline that is now firm for the first time. In Part II, I outlined the types of waivers that have been eliminated and gave some examples of Cardinal players that were affected by the old rules. You can find Part I here , and Part II here . In this final installment, I will tell you everything you need to know about the only types of waivers remaining: unconditional release waivers and outright assignment waivers. I’m going to try to offer a little something in here for everybody. If you are deeply interested in this subject, I’ve tried to include enough here with specific examples that you can make this article your one-stop shop. It’s probably more than the average fan would want to know. For those of you who are worried your eyes might start to glaze over, I promise you that if you like, you can skip to my bullet point summary at the very end, and you will get the stuff that really matters without all the history, examples and more obscure minutiae. If you want just the facts, ma’am, the ending is perfect for you.

The waiver rules have been described in the past as unnecessarily convoluted, and when you consider all the different types that existed in the past, together with revocability and the games surrounding trade assignment waivers, it is hard to argue with that characterization. Even Pittsburgh Pirates ’ General Manager Larry Doughty, in his second year on the job in late August 1990 messed up the waiver rules and that was one of the reasons he was fired a year later, despite the Pirates winning back-to-back National League East titles. Not realizing that outright assignment waivers were irrevocable, he put two of the organization’s top prospects, outfielders Wes Chamberlain and Julio Peguero, on the waiver wire and they were claimed by the Philadelphia Phillies , forcing him to make an ill-advised trade to save face for declining veteran Carmelo Martinez.

With the elimination of trade assignment waivers beginning this season, however, the waiver rules are as simple as they have ever been. Let’s start with the basics.

What are waivers?

The Major League Rules define a waiver as “a permission granted for certain assignments of player contracts or for the unconditional release of a major league player.” That is tautological and unhelpful for someone who has no prior knowledge of the process. Perhaps a better way to think about it is that before a club may make certain transactions involving a player, it must first offer that player’s contract to all other clubs for a price. If no other clubs agree to take the player’s contract for that price, the player is said to have “cleared waivers,” and the requesting club may then make the transaction it wanted to make regarding that player.

Making waiver requests and waiver claims

The most important thing to remember is there is no such thing as revocable waivers anymore. Once the waiver request is made for either of the two types of waivers that remain in Major League Baseball, it may not be cancelled. In addition, once a club makes a claim, it may not cancel that claim. To put a player on waivers, the club must do so in writing or electronically. There is some sort of approved network that all clubs have access to that suffices for this purpose. To make a request, a club simply uses the network to notify the Commissioner’s Office that it is making a waiver request and what type of waivers the team wants to place the player on. Through that same network, the Commissioner’s Office notifies all clubs of the waiver request and what type of waivers is being sought.

Times to Request Waivers and Deadline to Make Claims

Requesting period and permissible days to file waiver requests.

The times to request waivers are divided into three different periods. Every day of the year is covered in one of the blocks, which you can call the requesting period. They are not overly important for the fan following transactions, but they make a difference to teams in two areas. First, the requesting periods determine what day of the week is a permissible day to request waivers, and once a waiver request is made, they determine how long a team has to make put a claim in. Both sets of procedural rules apply equally to unconditional release waivers and outright assignment waivers.

Spring Training/In-Season: This period runs from the Spring Training Voluntary Report Date (which under the Collective Bargaining Agreement can be no earlier than 43 days before the start of the regular season) until the end of the regular season, with a 4-day exception that constitutes the next period. Basically, you’re talking about the middle of February until the end of September, except for the short carve-out in the next period below.
End-of Spring Training Period: This period is a special period carved out from the first period that only lasts for 4 days and ends with the day on which the first regular season game is played, unless the first game is played on a Wednesday, in which case the period is 5 days instead of 4 days. This season that would have been March 25th through March 28th.
Off-Season Period: This period runs from the day after the regular season to the day before the Spring Training Voluntary Report Date.

For the Spring Training/In-Season requesting period, a club may make a waiver request on any day of the week, including Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. For the other two periods, requests are not accepted on those days. For those two periods, any notices received after 2:00 p.m. EST on Friday are treated as if they were filed on Monday morning. Anything filed on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays are deemed to be filed on the morning of the next business day.

Claiming Period

The deadline to make a waiver claim is usually 47 hours. If a waiver request is made by 2:00 p.m. EST on Monday, teams must file a waiver claim by 1:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, and so on. The difference comes when teams make a waiver request on Thursday through Saturday. For the latter two requesting periods in the list above, waiver requests may not be made on Saturdays and Sundays and the Commissioner’s Office is considered to be closed. For those two periods, if a waiver request is made on Thursday by 2:00 p.m. EST, teams have until 1:00 p.m. EST on Monday to make a claim. If the request is made on Friday by 2:00 p.m. EST, teams have until 1:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday to make a claim. But for the first period in the bullet list above, the regular 47 hour rule applies. Clubs in that period can make waiver requests on Saturdays and Sundays and teams must actually file claims on Saturdays and Sundays to meet the deadline.

Priority of Claims

If no claims are made on a request, the player is said to have “cleared waivers,” and the requesting club may make the transaction it wants to make with the player. If only one club makes a claim, that club obviously gets the player. But what are the rules if multiple teams claim the player? Long ago, Major League Baseball tried everything from a first-come, first-served system to drawing lots. But there has been a settled system for almost 100 years now.

If there are multiple claims, the club with the lowest winning percentage among the claiming clubs wins, without regard to league. The twist to this is that if the date that the time to claim the player expires is within the first 30 days of the regular season or in the off-season, you look to the prior season’s standings. At all other times, you look to the standings of the current season on the date that’s prior to the date of the expiration of the claiming period.

What if two or more clubs have made a claim and they’re all tied for the lowest winning percentage? In that case, first priority goes to the club in the same league as the club making the waiver request. If that doesn’t resolve the tie (meaning the tied clubs are in the same league as each other), you go back to the prior season’s winning percentage without regard to postseason results, and you keep going back to prior seasons until the tie is broken.

Application of the Rules

To show an example of how this plays out, let’s take the most recent example of LHP Adalberto Mejia , whom the Cards were just awarded on an outright assignment waiver claim from the Los Angeles Angels on July 30th. In this example, I am going to make a couple of assumptions, that I can’t prove to be true. The waiver process is actually supposed to be confidential. The only thing that is supposed to be publicly known is that a team was awarded a claim on a certain date or that a player cleared waivers and that the requesting club then took the action it wanted to take. But I think these assumptions are fair, and they will allow us to see the tie-breaking rules at work as well.

Mejia was awarded to the Cardinals on July 30th in the afternoon. July 30th was a Tuesday, and we’re in the period of time where teams can make waiver requests on a Sunday because it’s during the regular season. So let’s assume that the Angels made the waiver request for Mejia by 2:00 p.m. EST on Sunday, July 28th. That would mean that waiver claims on Mejia were due by Tuesday July 30th by 1:00 p.m. EST. If the Cardinals were the only team that claimed him, then Mejia would obviously just have been awarded to the Cards.

But let’s assume that multiple teams put in a claim. Because we’re past the 30th day of this regular season, the rule requires us to examine the current season’s standings at the end of July 29th, the day before the claiming period expired. At the end of that day, the Cards were tied with the Cubs for the 11th best record in baseball, but in the National League, only the Dodgers , Braves and Nationals were ahead. That means, at a minimum 10 clubs had no chance to beat the Cards for Mejia, 3 National League clubs and 7 American League Clubs. If we exclude the Cubs and the Cards, that leaves 18 teams that that had a worse record, and all passed on Mejia. That means that 10 out of 15 National League clubs passed on him, as well as 8 out of 15 American League clubs. If any one of those other clubs had put in a claim, they would have had priority over the Cards and would have been awarded the claim instead. If we assume that the Cubs passed as well, that would mean 19 total teams passed, including 11 out of 15 National League clubs.

Now suppose that the Cubs had put in a claim on Mejia. Because the Cards and Cubs had the same winning percentage at the target date, we would break the tie by going back to last season’s regular season results, where the Cubs had a better winning percentage (.583 to to .543). If it would have mattered, the Cubs’ 163rd game of the season that they had to play last year would have counted as part of the regular season. Since the Cards had a lower winning percentage last year, they would have had priority for Mejia over the Cubs.

THE TWO REMAINING WAIVER TYPES

Unconditional release waivers.

The purpose of unconditional release waivers is simply like it sounds. Contrary to popular belief, if a club wants to release a player on its 40-man roster (waivers are not required to release non-40-man roster players), it can’t do so without putting him on unconditional release waivers. The papers would often call this by its longer name and say that a club placed a player on waivers for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release. This process had its origin in a long-standing rule long ago that required clubs to give players 10 days’ notice prior to being released.

There are certain features of unconditional release waivers that made them unique, which I will discuss below

Placing a Player on Unconditional Release Waivers Removes Him from All Rosters

On the date of the waiver request, the club must notify the player that the club intends to release the player. When the Commissioner’s Office receives the waiver request, the player is immediately removed from all player limits. Thus, merely placing a player on unconditional release waivers removes that player from the 40-man roster immediately, as well as the 25-man roster if the player is on it. The player does not need to clear waivers to be removed from the rosters.

Waiver Price

One of the defining characteristics of unconditional release waivers for over 70 years is that the waiver price is only $1. Originally lumped in with the other types of waivers, the unconditional release waiver price was reduced to $1 in 1947 to try to make it easier for players to stay employed. The normal waiver price for other types of waivers back then was $7,500. Teams were reluctant, especially for seasoned veterans, to assume both the contract and the waiver price. This change made it easier for players to get signed and continue their careers.

Player’s Right to Reject the Waiver Claim

When the waiver price was reduced to $1 in 1947, players were also given additional rights that they did not have with other waiver types. These rules persist to this day. A player has the right to be notified if a club claimed him on unconditional release waivers. Upon receiving notice of the claim the player has 5 days to provide written notice to the club requesting waivers that he is terminating his contract effective on the date of the notice. If the player does not provide the notice within the 5 days, the claiming club is awarded the waiver claim. If a player provides the notice, his contract is terminated, he becomes a free agent, does not have to play for the claiming club, and is free to negotiate whatever deal with whatever club he pleases.

Salary Obligations

If there are no waiver claims, the player’s contract is terminated, he becomes a free agent and the club requesting waivers is responsible for paying the rest of the money owed under the contract.

If the player is claimed and he rejects the claim by providing the proper notice within the 5 days, his contact is terminated and he does not have to play for the claiming club. The club that put him on waivers is only responsible for his salary through the date he provided notice and not thereafter. He is then a free agent and free to negotiate with any club.

If he is claimed and does not provide notice within the 5 days, the claiming club is responsible for the rest of his contract that accrues after the date the claiming team is notified that it was assigned the contract.

Restrictions on Unconditional Release Waiver Requests

A club may not release a player on the Military or Ineligible Lists, unless the player is reinstated first. A club may not release a player on the Voluntary Retired List without the Commissioner’s prior permission.

Restrictions on Re-signing a Released Player

Not that this occurs with any regularity, but If a club releases a player, that club can’t put that player back on its 25-man roster for 30-days from the date of the waiver request, unless during the whole 30 day period the club had less than 25 players on the active roster during the entire time from the date of the waiver request through the date of the re-signing.

If a club releases a player between midnight August 31st and opening day of the next regular season, the club may not re-sign that player to a major league deal (i.e.-deal that places him on the 40-man roster) until May 15th of the next season, unless the player has signed a major league contract with another club in the interim.

Practical Application Today

Although the waiver price is only $1, players are rarely claimed on unconditional release waivers these days. If a team claims a player for the $1 waiver price and the player does not reject the claim, the claiming club has to pay the rest of the contract, regardless of its length. In the overwhelming majority of cases where players are placed on unconditional release waivers, they clear waivers, are actually released, immediately become free agents, and then negotiate a new deal with whoever wants to talk. Their original club that placed them on waivers still has to pay their contract. When they sign a new deal with a new club, it’s almost always for the pro-rated minimum major league salary for the rest of that season, and that is deducted from the balance of what the requesting club owes.

The last Cardinal player I can remember that was actually claimed on unconditional release waivers by another team was Felipe Lopez . The Cards placed him on unconditional release waivers in very late September of 2010 basically because of excessive tardiness. There were only 13 games left in the season at the time. His contract was a 1-year deal for $1 million, and the San Diego Padres actually filed a waiver claim because they were in a pennant race and thought Lopez could help them. Lopez rejected the waiver claim because he wouldn’t be eligible for the Padres’ post-season roster (with him not being in the organization by August 31st). He then signed a separate deal with the Boston Red Sox , who had 9 games remaining in the season, and actually played in 4 games for that club before the season ended. In Lopez’s situation the Cards were on the hook for his salary until he gave notice to the Cards that he was rejecting the Padres’ waiver claim. After that, Lopez was on his own.

Outright Assignment Waivers

An outright assignment is an assignment of a player to the minor leagues without a right of recall. An optional assignment, or option for short, carries with it the right of the club to recall that player to the 25-man active roster from the minor leagues. The outright assignment, or outright, does not. I will cover options in another article, but for now it will suffice to say that the overwhelming majority of players have what are known as 3 option years (some have a 4th option year in very rare cases). Once the player is added to the 40-man roster, the club then has 3 years within which to send him down to the minors and back up as much as it wants within the rules. Once those option years are exhausted, the player is said to be “out of options,” and if the club wants to send the player to the minors after that, it must attempt to make an outright assignment. An outright assignment takes the player off of the 40-man roster and places him on the reserve list (reserve list is the fancy name for the 40-man roster in MLB and similar rosters for the minors) of the minor league team. A club might also attempt to outright a player to clear space on the 40-man roster even if the player is not out of options. The last situation is if a Club has drafted a player in the Rule 5 draft that it does not want to maintain on its 25-man roster all season. Before a club can send a Rule 5 draftee to the minor leagues, it must first place the player on outright assignment waivers, have the player clear waivers, and then offer him back to his original club for half the Rule 5 draft price.

But before the club may actually outright the player and place him on a minor league reserve list, it must first put the player on outright assignment waivers.

Placement on Outright Assignment Waivers Does Not Remove the Player from Rosters

This is one critical difference between the two types of waivers. Merely placing a player on unconditional release waivers removes the player from all rosters. With respect to outright assignment waivers, however, the player must be placed on outright assignment waivers and clear waivers, and actually be outrighted before the player is removed from either the 40-man roster, 25-man roster or both. This is one of the main reasons why the designated for assignment rule (or DFA) exists, which I will cover at the end of this article.

Restrictions on the Placement of Players on Outright Assignment Waivers

A club may not place a player that it has selected in the Rule 5 draft on outright assignment waivers from the date of the Rule 5 selection through 25 days prior to opening day of the next regular season.
The next restriction applies to a class of players called Rule 6(e) “draft excluded players.” This type of player is one who has less than 3 years of major league service time, who was eligible to be taken in the Rule 5 draft and whom the club had, after the August 15th before the draft at which he could have been taken, placed on the Club’s 40-man roster and that player then stayed there through the draft. An example would be Memphis OF Randy Arozarena. He will be eligible for the December 2019 Rule 5 draft if the Cards don’t add him to the 40-man roster at the proper time. If the Cards add Arozarena to the 40-man roster after August 15th of this year and before the December Rule 5 draft, and he stays on it through the draft, the Cards will not be able to place him on outright assignment waivers from the period that starts 5 days after the last day of the World Series through 25 days prior to opening day.
A club can’t place a player on the injured list on outright assignment waivers, unless the player has spent the minimum amount of time required on the injured list AND the club guarantees the player has recovered from his injury and is capable of performing at his accustomed level.
A club can’t place a player on one of the other inactive lists on outright assignment waivers like the Military List, Paternity List, Suspended List, etc. The player must be reinstated from those lists before he can be placed on outright assignment waivers
From the Spring Training Voluntary Report Date through the end of the regular season, if a club claims a player on outright assignment waivers, it can’t place that same player back on outright assignment waivers within 48 hours of the time that club was awarded the player or until the player has spent 1 day on that club’s 25-man roster, whichever comes first. During all other times, a club can’t place a player it acquired on outright assignment waivers back on outright assignment waivers for 7 days.

Price of Outright Assignment Waiver Claims

Basically the price if a club is awarded a player on outright assignment waivers is $50,000. For Rule 5 draftees and Rule 6(e) “draft-excluded players” the price is defined as half the Rule 5 draft price. The Rule 5 draft price is currently $100,000, so claiming such players costs $50,000 also. The reason the price is defined differently is that the rule is written in such a way to increase the waiver price if the Rule 5 draft price changes.

Prohibited Transactions During a Pending Outright Assignment Waiver Request

The requesting club is prohibited from doing several things with the player while an outright assignment waiver request is pending:

It can’t actually outright the player until the player clears waivers
It may not send the player on an injury rehab assignment to the minor leagues. It can transfer an existing rehab assignment to another minor league affiliate.
It may not trade the player
The club can actually request unconditional release waivers on a player for whom it has already requested outright assignment waivers. In that case, the unconditional release waiver request trumps the other request and the situation proceeds as if it was an unconditional release request.

Restrictions on Actually Outrighting a Player that has Cleared Waivers

Even if such a player clears waivers, a club can not outright a player to the minors who has 5 years or more of major league service without that player’s consent. This is not the same thing as the right a player has to declare free agency upon an attempted outright. A 5-year man can declare free agency if he wants if a club tries to outright him, but he can also refuse the outright assignment without declaring free agency. Essentially, he can force the club to keep him, trade him, or release him, but in all instances he gets his salary paid. 3-year players, Super Two Players and players that have been outrighted previously in their careers can’t technically refuse the outright assignment. They must declare free agency, and in that case their contract gets terminated, with the club making the attempted outright no longer responsible for any remaining salary, and the player not being entitled to termination pay. The mechanics of all of that are beyond the scope of this article.
A player may not be outrighted to the minor leagues during the period from 5:00 EST of the 3rd day prior to the start of the Rule 5 draft until the draft is over.
A player still on a major league injured list may not be outrighted to the minor leagues.
There are special rules in the Collective Bargaining Agreement regarding outrighting a player that is injured and not able to play, and they cover outrights in the offseason. Such a player can be outrighted during the period immediately following the season and before November 20th (the date to file 40-man rosters) if the player’s major league contract does not cover the next season. Such a player may also be outrighted between November 20th and up until the 15th day prior to the start of the next regular season but only if (1) the player has less than 3 years of major league service; (2) the player has not been outrighted before; (3) the player had no major league service the prior season; and (4) the player was not selected in the previous Rule 5 draft. It is because of this latter provision that the Cardinals could not outright Justin Williams when he injured himself in December 2018 by punching a televsion set. He had exactly one day of major league service in July of 2018.
Rule 5 draftees and Rule 6(e) draft-excluded players, even if they clear waivers, may not be outrighted until 20 days prior to opening day.
If a potential minor league free agent has not signed a major league contract for the next season OR has not signed a letter of agreement with the club describing the terms of a major league contract for the next season, then that player may not be outrighted on or after 5:00 EST on October 15th or on the 5th day following the last day of the World Series, whichever is later.

How Long are Outright Assignment Waivers Good For?

To ask the question another way, once a player has cleared outright assignment waivers, how long does the club actually have to outright him before it has to go through the process all over again? The answer to that depends on when during the year the club is notified that the player clears, i.e. when the claiming period expires.

If waivers are secured between September 1st and the 30th day of the next regular season, they are good for 7 days or until the 30th day of the season, whichever comes first.
If waivers are secured on and after the 31st day of the regular season and before the Trade Deadline (4:00 EST July 31st), they are good until 1 hour before the trade deadline.
If waivers are secured after the Trade Deadline, they are good until midnight on August 31st
Regardless of the above, if the player the club wants to outright is on optional assignment to the minors at the time, the waivers are only good for 72 hours after the expiration of the waiver claiming period
If waivers are secured on a player on the injured list who has spent the minimum time required on the list and whom the club guarantees has recovered from his injury and is capable of performing at his accustomed level, the club must outright that player within 72 hours if it doesn’t restore him to the 25-man roster.

A Couple of Last Features that Apply to Both Types of Waivers

Restrictions on number of requests.

The old rule that was passed in 1947 that limited clubs to placing 7 players per day on waivers is still in effect now. A rule designed to make the trade assignment waiver process less chaotic, it is basically obsolete now, as it is hard to imagine that a front office staff would place 7 players on irrevocable waivers in one day.

Effects of Awarded Claims on Player Limits

The important thing to understand here is that if a club wants to claim a player on either type of waivers, it must find a 40-man roster spot to give that player. If the player is either out of options, or has more than 5 years of major league service and can’t be sent to the minors without his consent, the club also has to find a spot on the 25-man roster for the player. If the claimed player has minor league options remaining, the club can claim that player and immediately option him to the minors no problem. But the club still has to find a 40-man roster spot for that player in that case.

So what if the club has a full 40-man roster at the time it makes a waiver claim, and at the time it is awarded a player on a waiver claim? The Rules still allow the club to make the claim in the first place and ultimately be awarded the player, but they require the club to open up a 40-man roster spot. One way to do that is to either just place a player on the 60-day IL or transfer a player from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL. This works because players on the 60-day IL are not on the 40-man roster. In fact, the Cardinals just did this on July 31st when they were awarded Adalberto Mejia on an outright assignment waiver claim. Mejia was out of options, so the Cards had to find both a 40-man spot and a 25-man spot for him. They optioned Daniel Ponce de Leon to create the 25-man spot. To clear a 40-man spot, they transferred Jedd Gyorko from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL.

If a 60-day IL move is not available to the club, however, the claiming club only has one more choice. The Rules state that the club must “give notice of its intention to release or assign the contract of a player in accordance with Rule 2(k) (Designated Players). The club must designate a player for assignment, and this is the famous DFA rule.

Everyone knows about the DFA, even if they don’t know what it really means. People believe that a club has to DFA a player to get rid of the player, and if they want the player gone, they shout “DFA this guy” on Twitter and message boards. Rule 2(k), the designated player rule, is poorly worded and really should be re-written to reflect more modern conditions. The rule makes it sounds like you have to use the DFA procedure if the roster is full, but you do not, it’s optional. Basically what the rule does is to buy the club time and immediately clear a spot in the process. And it’s the fastest and safest way.

Suppose a club needs a 40-man roster spot or 25-man roster spot immediately. It has identified the player it wants to remove. But it isn’t sure what procedural move it wants to make with that player. Maybe it wants to try to work out a trade for the player. Maybe it wants to send the identified player to the minors, the player is out of options and it wants to outright the player to the minors. It’s not sure. Or suppose the club knows exactly what it wants to do with the player, but following that procedure would take too long and would not clear the roster spot in the time the club needs it. Rule 2(k) allows the club to notify the Commissioner’s Office that it is “designating the player for assignment.” When that is done, the designated player is removed from the 40-man roster immediately and the 25-man roster if he is on it. The club then has 7 days (time between Christmas and New Year’s Day inclusive doesn’t count towards the 7 days) to make the appropriate disposition of the player.

Let’s take the most recent example of Mike Mayers , who the Cardinals designated for assignment on August 4th. The Cardinals wanted to recall Ryan Helsley from AAA Memphis, and Mayers was the player they wanted to remove from the 25-man roster to make room. If Mayers had options left, they could simply have optioned him. But he did not. They had no intention of releasing him. But the only way to send Mayers to the minors was by outright assignment, and that required placing Mayers on outright assignment waivers. But placing Mayers on outright assignment waivers doesn’t remove him from any player limits. Only when Mayers clears waivers and is then officially outrighted is he removed from the rosters. It takes 47 hours for a player to clear if the claim is timely filed. But the Cards didn’t have time for that. They needed Helsley available for the August 4th game. The DFA rule allowed the Cards to designate Mayers for assignment, removing him from both the 25-man and 40-man rosters, which cleared the roster spot immediately for Helsley. The Cards were not necessarily trying to clear a 40-man roster spot, but that was the byproduct. The Cards will likely place Mayers on outright assignment waivers, and as long as they do so early enough to allow another team to claim him or outright him themselves within 7 days, the Cards complied with the rules.

When the 40-man roster is full, the Cards will DFA a player they perfectly intend on actually releasing. The Cards did that with Luke Gregerson and Greg Holland. If a club knows it wants to release a player to clear roster space, why don’t clubs just release the player instead of using the DFA? As we saw above, placing a player on unconditional release waivers removes the player from all rosters, and the club does not have to wait for that person to clear waivers to get them off the rosters. The answer is the rule on the timing of filing waiver requests. The request, to be considered timely filed, must be filed by 2:00 p.m. EST on any given day. If the club needs the roster spot after that time of day, the DFA is the club’s only option. The DFA saves the club from being late or making a mistake because the DFA is simply filed on the normal transaction wire just like optioning a player, and has no time restriction. For that reason, you will typically see a release without a DFA only in the off-season in situations where time is not of the essence.

In any event, when a club is awarded a waiver claim, its 40-man roster is full and it doesn’t have a 60-day IL move to make to clear a spot, the DFA clears the spot.

TL;DR: MOST IMPORTANT POINTS FOR THE CASUAL FAN!

The only types of waivers that exist are unconditional release waivers and outright assignment waivers.
Both are irrevocable. You can’t cancel waiver requests or waiver claims.
Unconditional release waivers are required before the club can release a player. Placing the player on unconditional release waivers removes the player from all rosters. The waiver price is $1. Players are typically not claimed, but if they are, they have 5 days to reject the claim, which makes them a free agent and lets the requesting club off the hook for any more money. If the player does not reject the claim, the claiming club assumes the rest of the player’s contract. If no club makes a claim, the player is a free agent, with the requesting club responsible for the rest of the salary. The player typically negotiates a salary for the pro-rated minimum for the club he wants to play for and his former club gets a setoff.
An outright assignment means an assignment to the minors without the right of recall to the majors. This is the only way to send a player to the minors who is out of options. The point of the outright assignment is that it removes the player from the 40-man roster. Thus, a team might outright a player that still has options, if the club just wants the player off the 40-man. Outright assignment waivers are required before the club can actually outright the player. Placing the player on outright assignment waivers does not clear the 40-man roster spot. It’s only after the player clears waivers and the player is actually outrighted that the spot is available. The waiver price is $50,000
During the season it typically takes 47 hours for a player to clear waivers. In the off-season and in the 4 days leading up to the regular season, neither waiver requests nor waiver claims can be made on Saturdays, Sundays or legal holidays. So in those cases, it takes longer to clear waivers if the club makes the waiver request on Thursday or Friday.
If multiple clubs claim a player, the club with the lowest winning percentage in the standings wins the claim. You look to the prior season’s standings if the claiming period ends within the 1st 30 days of the regular season or in the off-season. At all other times, the current season’s standings control.
If there’s a tie in the standings, priority is given to the team in the league of the club requesting waivers. If that doesn’t break the tie, go back to prior seasons’ standings back to the beginning of baseball if you have to, and the club with the lowest winning percentage gets the claim.
A club requesting waivers must be careful that it doesn’t dilly-dally if they clear a player through outright assignment waivers, because the waivers are only good for so long, and how long they are good for depends on the time of year. If the club dilly-dallies, it has to start the process over.
A club that claims a player on waivers and wins the waiver claim has to, at a minimum, have a 40-man roster spot for that player at the time of the award. If the 40-man roster is full, the club has to clear a spot by moving a player to the 60-day IL, or if that’s not possible, designate a player for assignment (DFA). If the player the club claimed is out of options or can’t be sent to the minors without his consent, a 25-man roster spot must also be cleared.
In addition to clearing a roster spot immediately, the DFA buys the club time to either make the required roster move or figure out what it wants to do with the player. Basically, the only real options are trade, or put the player on one of the two waiver types (release or outright). On notice to the Commissioner, the DFA removes the player from all rosters, and the club has 7 days to make the actual roster move it decides on. If waivers are involved, the club must make the waiver request early enough that the move gets done before the 7 days.
The DFA is not required to get rid of a player, but is used when the club needs a roster spot immediately and either hasn’t yet decided what to do with the player, or knows what it wants to do, but it would take too long. It’s also the fastest and safest way to do it.

Follow Bluebird Banter online:

Follow Bluebird Banter on Twitter
Follow Bluebird Banter on Facebook

Site search

Rule 5-Eligible Players
Players with Toronto on their no-trade list

Primer on Transactions: Options, Outrights, and Waivers

Blue Jays Option and Outright Status Table
Blue Jays Roster Tree Route Map
FanDuel MLB Odds
FanDuel World Series Odds
Toronto Blue Jays Odds
MLB Picks and Predictions
Toronto Blue Jays Opinions
Toronto Blue Jays Analysis
Toronto Blue Jays Game Recaps
Toronto Blue Jay GameThreads
Toronto Blue Jays Interviews
Full Archive
Yahoo Blue Jays News
Yahoo Blue Jays Team Page
Yahoo Blue Jays Report
Yahoo Blue Jays Depth Chart
Yahoo Blue Jays Transactions
Yahoo Blue Jays Photos
Community Guidelines

Filed under:

Share this story

Share this on Facebook
Share this on Twitter
Share this on Reddit
Share All sharing options

Share All sharing options for: Primer on Transactions: Options, Outrights, and Waivers

There are two different rosters that are significant for MLB teams. The first is the 40-man (major league) roster, in force year-round, which consists of players who are under reserve to the team. The second is the 25-man (active) roster, which exists only during the season and consists of players that may be used in games.

The 15 players on the major league but not the active roster play in the minor leagues and are said to be serving an optional assignment. If a player on the 40-man cannot be sent on optional assignment, and the team does not have room on the 25-man (or doesn't want him on it), then the player can be designated for assignment (DFA). The DFA move can only be made when the roster is full (at 25 or 40 players). The team then has 10 days to trade the player, release him, or expose him to outright waivers where other teams can claim and add him to their 25- and 40-man rosters. If the player clears waivers, then, under certain circumstances, he can be outrighted off the 40-man roster with the team still retaining his rights.

Players who can be sent on optional assignment, or can be outrighted, have value in terms of providing flexibility to their teams, especially in the event of injuries or player struggles. Free agents who sign a minor league contract with a team are not on the 40-man roster. Players on the 60-day disabled list are considered to be on the 40-man roster but do not count towards the 40-player limit.

Optional Assignments

In general, teams are granted three option years on a specific player. While it is common to refer to players as having finite number of "options", that get used up whenever the player is sent on optional assignment, this is a misnomer as optional assignments are for entire seasons. Players can be optioned and recalled multiple times within a season while only using one option year. For example, Mike McCoy was optioned to Las Vegas and recalled six times in the 2011 season, but that only counted as one option. If a player spends less than 20 days on optional assignment, then the player is not deemed to have had an option year used (but the player gets service credit and MLB salary for the time spent in the minors).

A player is considered out of options in the season following the use of his last option year, and he must stay on the 25-man roster or be removed from the 40-man roster. In addition, players with more than five years major league service time cannot be optioned without the consent of the player, which is known as Veteran's Consent. In practice, this is unlikely to be granted, and it is safe to assume that a team cannot option a player with five years of MLB service.

Fourth Option Year

In certain uncommon circumstances, a player may qualify for a fourth option year. This occurs when a player's three option years have been exhausted, but he does not have five professional seasons. The crux of the matter is in how "professional season" is defined for option purposes. A season only counts as a professional season if the player spends 90 or more days on an active roster (or 60 days or more days on the active roster and 30 or more on the DL). Rookie and short season leagues do not last for 90 days, so players assigned to these levels cannot qualify (unless first assigned to a full season league).

Most players who qualify for a fourth option year are international free agents signed at age 16 or 17. If they play a couple years in rookie ball, by the time they are added to the 40-man roster, to be protected from the Rule 5 draft, four years later, they may only have one year in a full season league and only one qualifying season. Assuming optional assignments the next three years, the player will only have four qualifying seasons. In general, if a player has two or more full seasons when added to the 40-man, it is very unlikely he will qualify for a forth option; if he has less than two there is a reasonable chance of it though it is not guaranteed

Outright Assignments

When teams want to outright a player off the 40-man roster (usually upon a DFA, but a team can also put a player on outright waivers), their ability to do so depends on a few factors and may require the consent of the player:

If a player has not been previously outrighted and does not have three years MLB service (or was a Super 2 in the previous offseason), then he must accept the team's outright assignment
If a player has more than three years MLB service or has been previously outrighted, then he can elect to immediately become a free agent without termination pay. The player therefore forgoes any salary or other guarantees under his Major League contract. The player can also choose to accept the outright assignment, in which case he retains the right to elect free agency at the end of the season unless returned to the 40-man roster. An example of this is Scott Richmond, who was first sent outright in 2011, and then again in 2012. He accepted the 2012 outright assignment but elected free agency at the end of the season, which he wouldn't have otherwise been entitled to do.
If a player has more than five years MLB service, then his contract can only be assigned to another MLB team without his consent. As such, in addition to the right to elect free agency, he also has the right to simply refuse an outright assignment. In that case, the player must be kept on the 40-man roster (and the 25-man roster, unless the player has option years left and consents to optional assignment) or be released.

The rules governing Major League Baseball's transactions are very complex and is hard for any fan to understand the nuance of all of them. Especially difficult are the concept of waivers in baseball. Here we try to summarize Rule 10 of the Major League Rules, which governs how waivers work.

Waivers are simply permission slips that the other 29 clubs give in order for a particular club to make an assignment. Essentially, for a club to make certain transactions (at certain times), they will need all the other clubs to waive their right to intercept in order to proceed. Not all transactions require waivers--for example, two clubs can trade players without permission before July 31 (which is why it is called the non-waiver trade deadline).

There are three types of waivers with three different functions that are summarized in the table below.


To assign a player on the 40-man roster of one MLB club to the 40-man roster of another MLB club.	Yes*	$20,000	4:00 pm ET on July 31 through the last day of the season	Rest of period	Disabled†, Military, Ineligible, Voluntarily Retired, Bereavement, Restricted, Suspended, or Disqualified Lists
To remove a player from the 40-man roster and assign him to a minor league club.	No	$20,000	(1) Nov 11 - Feb 15 (2) Feb 16 - 30th day of the season (3) 31st day - July 31 (4) Aug 1 - Aug31 (5) Sept 1 - Nov 10	(1,2,5) Rest of period or 7 days (whichever is first) (3,4) Rest of period	Disabled†, Military, Ineligible, Voluntarily Retired, Bereavement, Restricted, Suspended, or Disqualified Lists
To terminate the relationship between an MLB player and the club and make him a free agent.	No	$1	All times	Immediate	Military List, Ineligible List

* When a player that was previously pulled back from revocable waivers is placed on the same type of waivers during the same waiver period, that waiver request becomes irrevocable. That is, a player who is placed on waivers may only be pulled back once.

† Outright and trade assignment waivers can be obtained for players on the disabled list only if: a) the minimum period of inactivity (15 or 60 days) has elapsed; b) the assigning club guarantees the player is well enough to play.

Procedure to Obtain Waivers

Club registers a request for waivers with the Office of the Commissioner
Notice of waiver request is given out on a private channel to all major league clubs
Other clubs have two days to submit a claim
If a club claims a player on revocable waivers, the Commissioner will automatically revoke the waiver request unless the club notifies his office that they do not wish a withdrawal.
If there is no claim after two days, the player "clears" waivers and can be assigned or released. If there is a claim, the player is granted to the team with the highest claiming priority.

Waivers Claim Priority Order

For trade assignment waivers:

Team with the lowest winning percentage from the current season gets the claim; however a claiming team from same league (ie. American or National) as the assigning team always gets priority over a claiming team from the other league, regardless of winning percentage. This is why, in August, interleague trades are more difficult than intraleague trades. Overall, all trades are more difficult after July 31 because teams can prevent trades that might bolster their rivals by claiming the players that are being traded to their rivals.

For outright and unconditional release waivers:

Team with the lowest winning percentage from the current season gets the claim, regardless of league (unless two teams from opposite leagues are tied in winning percentage, then the team from the same league wins the claim). During the first 30 days of the season, the winning percentages from the previous season are used to determine priority.

Skip to Navigation
Skip to Main Content
Skip to Related Content
Today's news
Reviews and deals
Climate change
2024 election
Newsletters
Fall allergies
Health news
Mental health
Sexual health
Family health
So mini ways
Unapologetically
Buying guides

Entertainment

How to Watch
My watchlist
Stock market
Biden economy
Personal finance
Stocks: most active
Stocks: gainers
Stocks: losers
Trending tickers
World indices
US Treasury bonds
Top mutual funds
Highest open interest
Highest implied volatility
Currency converter
Basic materials
Communication services
Consumer cyclical
Consumer defensive
Financial services
Industrials
Real estate
Mutual funds
Credit cards
Balance transfer cards
Cash back cards
Rewards cards
Travel cards
Online checking
High-yield savings
Money market
Home equity loan
Personal loans
Student loans
Options pit
Fantasy football
Pro Pick 'Em
College Pick 'Em
Fantasy baseball
Fantasy hockey
Fantasy basketball
Download the app
Daily fantasy
Scores and schedules
GameChannel
World Baseball Classic
Premier League
CONCACAF League
Champions League
Motorsports
Horse racing

New on Yahoo

Privacy Dashboard

Fantasy Football
Yahoo Sports AM
College Sports
Horse Racing
Fantasy Sports
What & How To Watch
Scores/Schedules
Power Rankings
Fantasy Baseball
Bills vs. Dolphins live updates
Rangers' Seager out for season
16 questions for Week 1 losers
Pac-12 rebuilds
Shohei Ohtani 50-50 tracker

What does designated for assignment mean in MLB? What to know about Nick Ahmed

The Arizona Diamondbacks designated Nick Ahmed for assignment after Wednesday’s 12-5 win over the Colorado Rockies .

Ahmed, the longest-tenured player in franchise history — his debut with the Diamondbacks was on June 29, 2014 — was a two-time Gold Glove winner at shortstop. This season, he was hitting just .212 and had committed 8 errors in only 65 games.

What's next for Ahmed and the Diamondbacks?

Here's a look at the designated for assignment process and what it means for Ahmed and his MLB team.

What does designated for assignment (DFA) mean in baseball?

This is how the MLB.com glossary explains the process: "When a player's contract is designated for assignment — often abbreviated "DFA" — that player is immediately removed from his club's 40-man roster. Within seven days of the transaction (had been 10 days under the 2012-16 Collective Bargaining Agreement), the player can either be traded or placed on irrevocable outright waivers."

What happens if a player is claimed off waivers by another MLB team?

Again, we refer to the glossary: "If the player is claimed off said waivers by another club, he is immediately added to that team's 40-man roster, at which point he can be optioned to the Minor Leagues (if he has Minor League options remaining) or assigned to his new team's 26-man roster. If the player clears waivers, he may be sent outright to the Minor Leagues or released. Players with more than three years of Major League service time or who have been previously outrighted may reject the outright assignment in favor of free agency. Clubs may utilize this option to clear a spot on the 40-man roster — typically with the intention of adding a newly acquired player (via trade or free agency), a Minor Leaguer or a player being activated from the 60-day injured list."

What to know about Nick Ahmed's DFA?

The Diamondbacks' decision to designate Ahmed for assignment is fairly routine when a team is looking to remove an underachieving veteran player from the 40-man roster. These types of players are not part of the franchise's future plans, so they would not be candidates to option to the minor leagues. Also, since the trading deadline passed in August, using waivers is the only option available for a player to move to another team.

As Arizona Republic Diamondbacks insider Nick Piecoro reported, Ahmed was not the same player, offensively or defensively , since diving for a ball during an exhibition in July 2020 while preparing for the start of the pandemic-shortened season. Since the team was likely to give top prospect Jordan Lawlar a shot at the starting shortstop job next year, cutting ties with Ahmed was not that much of a surprise.

How much do the Diamondbacks owe Nick Ahmed?

Ahmed was playing on the final season of a four-year, $32.5 million contract. He was making $10.375 million this season, so the club still owes him about $1.4 million, per mlbtraderumors.com .

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What does DFA mean in baseball? What's next for Nick Ahmed, DBacks?

The Designated for Assignment (DFA) Process in Major League Baseball: Implications, Procedures, and Examples

Uncategorized

What does it mean to be designated for assignment?

To be designated for assignment in baseball means that a player has been removed from his team’s 40-man roster. This move is typically made when a team wants to make room for another player, or if the player’s performance has been disappointing or if he has become injured. Once a player is designated for assignment, the team has 7 days to trade him, release him, or place him on waivers. During this time, other teams have the opportunity to claim the player off waivers and assume his contract. If the player clears waivers, he can be assigned to the team’s minor league system or remain on the 40-man roster. Being designated for assignment can be a difficult and uncertain time for a player, as it often means he is at risk of losing his spot on the team and potentially even his career.

Why do teams designate players for assignment?

Teams designate players for assignment for a variety of reasons. The most common reason is to clear a roster spot for another player, either from their own minor league system or via a trade or free agent signing. Another reason could be due to a player’s poor performance, as a team may want to remove them from the active roster and give another player a chance to contribute. In some cases, a player may be designated for assignment if they become injured and the team needs to free up a roster spot for a healthy player. Finally, a team may designate a player for assignment if they are looking to trade the player and want to remove them from the active roster while negotiations are taking place. Regardless of the reason, being designated for assignment can be a difficult and uncertain time for a player, as their future with the team and in baseball is put into question.

What happens to a player who is designated for assignment?

When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the team’s active roster and placed on the 40-man roster’s “designated for assignment” list. The team then has 7 days to make a decision on the player’s future. During this time, the team can trade the player, release him, or place him on waivers. If the player clears waivers, the team can choose to assign him to their minor league system or keep him on the 40-man roster. If another team claims the player off waivers, they assume the player’s contract and roster spot.

For the player who has been designated for assignment, this can be a stressful and uncertain time, as their future with the team and in baseball is up in the air. They may be traded to another team, released and become a free agent, or sent to the minors, where they will need to work their way back up to the majors. The DFA process can have a significant impact on a player’s career and earning potential, as well as their confidence and morale.

The difference between designated for assignment and outright assignment While the terms “designated for assignment” (DFA) and “outright assignment” may seem similar, there is a key difference between the two. DFA is the process by which a player is removed from his team’s 40-man roster and given a 7-day window for the team to trade him, release him, or place him on waivers. If the player is not claimed off waivers, he can be assigned to the minor leagues or kept on the 40-man roster. On the other hand, outright assignment is the process by which a player is removed from both the 25-man and 40-man rosters and sent directly to the minor leagues. There is no 7-day window for a team to make a decision, and the player does not need to clear waivers. In other words, DFA is a more flexible process that allows the team to potentially retain the player or trade him, while outright assignment is a more direct demotion to the minor leagues. The two terms are often used interchangeably, but it’s important to understand the differences between the two. The impact of designated for assignment on a player’s career and future opportunities Being designated for assignment can have a significant impact on a player’s career and future opportunities. If a player is claimed off waivers by another team, he may be given a fresh start and the opportunity to contribute at the major league level. However, if the player clears waivers and is sent to the minors, his future in baseball may be uncertain. DFA can also have financial implications for both the player and the team. If the player is released, he becomes a free agent and can sign with any team, but may not receive the same salary he had with his previous team. Additionally, if a team is unable to trade a player who has been designated for assignment, they may be responsible for paying a portion of the player’s salary. The DFA process can be emotionally challenging for players, as it can be difficult to see their careers and livelihoods put into question. However, some players have been able to bounce back from DFA and use the experience as motivation to improve and succeed at the major league level. Examples of notable players who have been designated for assignment Throughout baseball history, many notable players have been designated for assignment at some point in their careers. One example is David Ortiz, who was designated for assignment by the Minnesota Twins in 2002 before being released and signing with the Boston Red Sox, where he went on to become one of the greatest designated hitters of all time. Another example is Jose Bautista, who was designated for assignment by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2004 before being picked up by the Toronto Blue Jays and transforming into a two-time MLB home run champion. More recently, Albert Pujols, a three-time MVP and 10-time All-Star, was designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Angels in 2021 before being picked up by the Los Angeles Dodgers. These players’ experiences illustrate that being designated for assignment does not necessarily mean the end of a player’s career, and that they can use the experience as motivation to succeed in the future. The role of waivers in the designated for assignment process Waivers play a crucial role in the DFA process. When a player is designated for assignment, he must be placed on waivers before he can be traded or outright released. Waivers give other teams in the league the opportunity to claim the player and assume his contract and roster spot. The waiver process is designed to promote competitive balance in the league by giving all teams an opportunity to claim players who have been designated for assignment, regardless of their place in the standings. However, the process can also be complex and unpredictable, as teams must weigh the potential benefits of claiming a player against the risks and costs associated with doing so. Waivers can be an especially important factor in the DFA process for players with larger contracts or for teams with limited payroll flexibility. In these cases, a player who clears waivers and is outright released may be more likely to be picked up by another team, as they would not be responsible for assuming the player’s full contract. How a player can appeal a DFA decision While it is rare for a player to successfully appeal a DFA decision, there are a few situations in which a player may have grounds for an appeal. For example, if a team designates a player for assignment due to an injury that was not disclosed or properly diagnosed, the player may be able to appeal the decision and potentially be reinstated on the team’s active roster. In order to appeal a DFA decision, the player must file a grievance with the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) within 45 days of the transaction. The appeal will then be heard by an independent arbitrator, who will review the evidence presented by both the player and the team before making a final decision. While the appeal process can be time-consuming and expensive, it can provide a player with an opportunity to challenge a DFA decision and potentially continue his career at the major league level. The potential financial implications of designated for assignment for both players and teams Designating a player for assignment can have significant financial implications for both the player and the team. If the player is claimed off waivers, the team may be responsible for paying a portion of the player’s salary or may be relieved of the obligation entirely. If the player clears waivers and is outright released, the team may still be responsible for paying the remainder of the player’s contract, depending on the terms of the agreement. For the player, being designated for assignment can have long-term financial implications as well. If the player is released and becomes a free agent, he may struggle to find a team willing to offer him a similar contract. Additionally, if the player is sent to the minors, he may be paid a lower salary than he was making at the major league level. Overall, the financial impact of DFA can be significant and is an important factor for both players and teams to consider when making decisions about roster moves. The designated for assignment process in relation to the MLB Collective Bargaining Agreement The DFA process is governed by the Major League Baseball Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which outlines the rights and responsibilities of players and teams in relation to roster moves. The CBA includes provisions related to waivers, including the waiver claim process, which gives all teams in the league an opportunity to claim players who have been designated for assignment. The CBA also sets forth procedures for players to file grievances and challenge roster decisions, including DFA decisions, through the MLBPA. The CBA also sets minimum salary and service time requirements for players, which can impact a team’s decision to designate a player for assignment or keep him on the roster. Additionally, the CBA includes provisions related to arbitration, which can be used to resolve disputes between players and teams regarding contracts, salaries, and roster decisions. Overall, the DFA process is an important aspect of the MLB CBA, which governs many aspects of player contracts, salaries, and roster moves. Conclusion Being designated for assignment is a significant event in a player’s career that can have long-lasting implications. While the designated for assignment process is designed to give teams flexibility in managing their rosters, it can also be challenging for players who may be faced with uncertainty about their future. Waivers and financial considerations can also play important roles in the DFA process, and the procedures outlined in the MLB Collective Bargaining Agreement provide a framework for resolving disputes and ensuring fair treatment of players. Ultimately, the DFA process is an important aspect of the MLB landscape that requires careful consideration by teams and players alike. FAQs

1. what happens to a player who is designated for assignment.

A player who is designated for assignment is removed from his team’s 40-man roster and can be placed on waivers or outright released. If the player is not claimed by another team within the designated time frame, he can be sent to the minor leagues or become a free agent.

2. What is the difference between DFA and outright assignment?

DFA refers to the process of designating a player for assignment and placing him on waivers, while outright assignment refers to the process of removing a player from the 40-man roster and sending him to the minor leagues without passing through waivers.

3. How can a player appeal a DFA decision?

days of the transaction, and an independent arbitrator will review the evidence before making a final decision.

4. What are the financial implications of DFA for players and teams?

DFA can have significant financial implications for both players and teams. Teams may be responsible for paying a portion of the player’s salary or may be relieved of the obligation entirely if the player is claimed off waivers. For the player, being designated for assignment can impact his salary and long-term earning potential.

5. What is the role of waivers in the DFA process?

Waivers are used to give all teams in the league an opportunity to claim players who have been designated for assignment. If the player is claimed, the team claiming him assumes the responsibility for his contract. If the player clears waivers, he can be outright released or sent to the minor leagues.

Total Assignment Help Incase, you are looking for an opportunity to work from home and earn big money. TotalAssignmenthelp Affiliate program is the best choice for you.

Do visit : https://www.totalassignment.com/affiliate-program for more details

Total Assignment help is an assignment help Online service available in 9 countries. Our local operations span across Australia, US, UK, South east Asia and the Middle East. With extensive experience in academic writing, Total assignment help has a strong track record delivering quality writing at a nominal price that meet the unique needs of students in our local markets.

We have specialized network of highly trained writers, who can provide best possible assignment help solution for all your needs. Next time you are looking for assignment help, make sure to give us a try.

Looking for Assignment Help from Top Experts ?

Get the best Assignment Help from leading experts from the field of academics with assured onetime, 100% plagiarism free and top Quality delivery.

Understanding the difference between basic vs applied research with the aid of examples.

Total Assignment Help Incase, you are looking for an opportunity to work from home and earn big money. TotalAssignmenthelp Affiliate program is the best choice for you. Do visit : https://www.totalassignmenthelp.com/affiliate-program for more details Total Assignment help is an online assignment help service available in 9 countries. Our local operations span across Australia, US, UK, South east Asia and the Middle East. With extensive experience in academic writing, Total assignment help has a strong track record delivering quality writing at a nominal price that meet the unique needs of students in our local markets. We have specialized network of highly trained writers, who can provide best possible assignment help solution for all your needs. Next time you are looking for assignment help, make sure to give us a try.

Examining How To Write The Perfect Hook For Your Assignment

Get Expert Advice On How To Develop Yourself As A Human Resource Practitioner

IMAGES

What Does Outrighted Mean in Baseball: DFA'd, Optioned, Designated for
Assignment
Assignment Help: Difference between Editing and Proofreading For
What is the Difference Between Assignment and Agreement? Tips
Difference between Project and Assignment
What is the Difference Between Assignment and Assessment

VIDEO

James Paxton (traded back to Boston) long toss warm-up...ALCS Gm 2...Yankees vs. Astros ...10/13/19

COMMENTS

MLB options, waivers and outright assignments, explained
An option (optional assignment) allows a club to move a player on its 40-man roster to and from the minor leagues without exposing him to other teams. Once a player is added to a team's 40-man ...
Designated for assignment
Oliver Drake was designated for assignment multiple times during the 2018 season, during which he pitched for five different teams. [1]Designated for assignment (DFA) is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball (MLB). [2] A player who is designated for assignment is immediately removed from the team's 40-man roster, after which the team must, within seven days, [a] return the player to ...
Designate for Assignment (DFA)
Definition. When a player's contract is designated for assignment -- often abbreviated "DFA" -- that player is immediately removed from his club's 40-man roster. Within seven days of the transaction (had been 10 days under the 2012-16 Collective Bargaining Agreement), the player can either be traded or placed on outright or unconditional ...
What does designated for assignment mean in baseball? Explaining MLB's
A player can reject the minor-league assignment and head to free agency if he's been in the majors for at least three years or if he has been outrighted to the minors previously.
How Does Designate For Assignment Work? [reasons, Process, & Outcomes]
The main difference between options and designated for assignment is that the option allows the team to send the player to the minor leagues without putting him into the waiver period. That means no other team can claim the player. 3. Can a player refuse assignment after being designated for assignment? No. A player usually does not hold the ...
What is the distinction between being optioned and designated for
Designated for Assignment (DFA): When a player is designated for assignment, they are immediately removed from the team's 40-man roster . The team then has seven days to either return the player to the 40-man roster, place the player on waivers, trade the player, release the player, or send the player outright to the Minor Leagues .
Designated for Assignment in Baseball: Key Rules and Strategies
Designate for Assignment (DFA) is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball (MLB) when a team wants to remove a player from its 40-man roster. This action allows the team to make room for a new player or provide flexibility in managing its roster. Once a player is designated for assignment, the team has seven days to decide the player ...
MLB outright waivers: How do they work?
Note that this is different than being designated for assignment.Designating a player for assignment immediately removes that player from the 40-man roster. Within seven days of being designated, the player can either be traded (if the DFA is made before the Trade Deadline) or placed on outright or unconditional release waivers.If the player clears outright waivers, he may be assigned outright ...
Understanding DFA in Baseball: Implications, Options, and Opportunities
Teams use DFA to effectively manage their roster, evaluate player performance, provide opportunities for improvement, and explore potential trades. Options for players designated for assignment include trading, releasing, sending them to the minor leagues, or reinstating them to the roster. DFA represents a pivotal point in a player's career ...
Designated for assignment
Designated for assignment. A player is designated for assignment when his team wants to replace him on the active roster and he is out of options. The team thus announces its wish to send the player to the minor leagues and places his name on waivers. If the player is claimed, a trade may be worked out between the two teams.
Ask Sports: What is meant in baseball by the terms options, outright
A player can also be "designated for assignment" where the club has 10 days to either trade, release or outright the player. He is immediately removed from the 40-man roster.
Talking Baseball: What exactly does designated for assignment mean?
Like any industry, baseball has its own specific jargon, a technical vocabulary that expands the deeper you dive into the game. Spring training brings a lot of these terms to the fore and is thus ...
40-man Roster
Definition. The 40-man roster includes a combination of players on the 26-man roster, the 7-, 10-, and 15-day injured lists, the bereavement/family medical emergency list and the paternity leave list, as well as some Minor Leaguers. In order for a club to add a player to the 26-man roster, the player must be on the 40-man roster. If a club with ...
MLB Transactions Part Three: Waivers and DFA
A player that is designated for assignment is removed from his club's 40-man roster and, within the next 10 days, traded, released or, if he clears outright waivers, assigned to the minor leagues.
A Primer on Unconditional Release and Outright Assignment Waivers With
3-year players, Super Two Players and players that have been outrighted previously in their careers can't technically refuse the outright assignment. They must declare free agency, and in that case their contract gets terminated, with the club making the attempted outright no longer responsible for any remaining salary, and the player not ...
Primer on Transactions: Options, Outrights, and Waivers
† Outright and trade assignment waivers can be obtained for players on the disabled list only if: a) the minimum period of inactivity (15 or 60 days) has elapsed; b) the assigning club ...
What does designated for assignment mean in MLB? What to know about
mark faller, arizona republic. Thu, Sep 7, 2023 · 3 min read. The Arizona Diamondbacks designated Nick Ahmed for assignment after Wednesday's 12-5 win over the Colorado Rockies. Ahmed, the ...
The Designated for Assignment (DFA) Process in ...
While the terms "designated for assignment" (DFA) and "outright assignment" may seem similar, there is a key difference between the two. DFA is the process by which a player is removed from his team's 40-man roster and given a 7-day window for the team to trade him, release him, or place him on waivers.
Minor League Options
(Players may only be optioned five times per season; after that, it requires outright assignment waivers to assign the player to the Minor Leagues.) Out-of-options players must be designated for assignment -- which removes them from the 40-man roster -- and passed through outright waivers before being eligible to be sent to the Minors.
Major League Baseball transactions
Once a player is designated for assignment, the team has seven days (it had been 10 days under the 2012-2016 Collective Bargaining Agreement) [19] to do one of the following: the player can be traded, the player can be released, or the player can be put on waivers and, provided he clears, outrighted to the minors. A player who is outrighted ...
Release Waivers
A player that is claimed on release waivers has the option of rejecting that claim and instead exploring the free-agent market. Release waivers are often requested after a player's contract is designated for assignment or in cases when a veteran player would otherwise refuse an outright assignment. Players are rarely claimed off release waivers ...
Outright Waivers
Definition. When a player is placed on outright waivers, the other 29 Major League clubs have the opportunity to claim him. The claiming club assumes responsibility for the remaining money owed to the claimed player, who is placed on his new club's 40-man roster. Claiming priority is based on reverse winning percentage. So, if a player is ...

Follow Bless You Boys online:

Site search

MLB options, waivers and outright assignments, explained

Share this story

Share All sharing options for: MLB options, waivers and outright assignments, explained

What are waivers?

What are MLB options?

Outright waivers

Release waivers

Special waivers

What does it mean for a player to be designated for assignment?

More From Bless You Boys

What does designated for assignment mean in baseball? Explaining MLB's 'DFA' and contract implications

What does designated for assignment mean in baseball?

DFA contract implications

How Does Designate For Assignment Work? [reasons, Process, & Outcomes]

DFA Meaning Baseball

Reasons for Designating Players for Assignment

Designate for Assignment Process

What Happens After Designation for Assignment?

1. What is the difference between DFA and being released?

2. What is the difference between options and designated for assignment?

3. Can a player refuse assignment after being designated for assignment?

4. Can a team designate a player for assignment multiple times?

My Opinion on DFA

What is the distinction between being optioned and designated for assignment in baseball? What happens when a player is out of options or declines an assignment?

Continue the conversation

Designated for Assignment in Baseball: Key Rules and Strategies

Designate for Assignment Definition

DFA Process

Strategies and Implications

Understanding DFA in Baseball: Implications, Options, and Opportunities

Key Takeaways

The Meaning of DFA

Why Teams use DFA

The Significance of DFA in Baseball

An Opportunity for Change

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happens to a player after being DFA’d?

Designated for assignment

Full Site Menu

We're Social...for Statheads

FAQs, Tip & Tricks

Talking Baseball: What exactly does designated for assignment mean?

Follow Purple Row online:

Site search

MLB Transactions Part Three: Waivers and DFA

Share All sharing options for: MLB Transactions Part Three: Waivers and DFA

Waiver Eligibility

Types of Waivers

Unconditional Release Waivers

Irrevocable Outright Waivers

Revocable Major League Waivers

Sources and Additional Reading

More From Purple Row

Follow Viva El Birdos online:

Site search

A Primer on Unconditional Release and Outright Assignment Waivers With TL;DR Bullet Summary

Share this story

Share All sharing options for: A Primer on Unconditional Release and Outright Assignment Waivers With TL;DR Bullet Summary

What are waivers?

Making waiver requests and waiver claims

Times to Request Waivers and Deadline to Make Claims

Claiming Period

Priority of Claims

Application of the Rules

THE TWO REMAINING WAIVER TYPES

Placing a Player on Unconditional Release Waivers Removes Him from All Rosters

Waiver Price

Player’s Right to Reject the Waiver Claim

Salary Obligations

Restrictions on Unconditional Release Waiver Requests

Restrictions on Re-signing a Released Player

Practical Application Today

Outright Assignment Waivers

Placement on Outright Assignment Waivers Does Not Remove the Player from Rosters

Restrictions on the Placement of Players on Outright Assignment Waivers

Price of Outright Assignment Waiver Claims

Prohibited Transactions During a Pending Outright Assignment Waiver Request

Restrictions on Actually Outrighting a Player that has Cleared Waivers