Options - Policy/Rule change?

[26 to 6]

Has the rules for a player's Minor League options changed at all recently? The reason I ask is because Ray King was optioned to AAA Columbus today by the Nats, but King has seen parts of 9 seasons in the bigs. I've always been pretty good with understanding transactions and the procedures and protocol behind them, but to my knowledge, players were only granted 3 option years. I had the same question after the Cubs optioned Mark Prior to, I believe Daytona (very well could have been AAA Iowa) early last season. Confused I looked to Cot's baseball contracts as they have a transaction glossary, and they explain the Options process as:

 

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 the other 29 teams.

 

After 4 or 5 years as a professional, a player must be added to his club’s 40-man roster or exposed to the 29 other clubs in the Rule 5 draft. (A club has 5 years to evaluate a player who signs his first pro contract at 18 years old or younger, but only 4 years to decide on a player who signs at age 19.) For purposes of calculating years as a pro, the counting begins the day a player signs his first pro contract, not the season he begins to play.

 

When a player is added to the 40-man roster, his club has three “options,” or three separate seasons during which the club may to move him to and from the minor leagues without exposing him to other clubs. A player on the 40-man roster playing in the minors is on optional assignment, and within an option season, there is no limit on the number of times a club may demote and recall a player. However, a player optioned to the minor leagues may not be recalled for at least 10 days, unless the club places a Major League player on the disabled list during the 10-day window.

 

After three options are exhausted, the player is out of options. Beginning with the next season, he must clear waivers before he may be sent to the minors again. See Waivers. Additionally, a player with 5 years of Major League service may not be sent to the minor leagues on an optional assignment without his consent.

 

Counting option years

 

* If a player is not sent to the minors during a year, an option is not used.

* If a player is on the 40-man roster in spring training but optioned to the minors before the season begins, an option is used.

* If a player’s optional assignment(s) to the minors total less than 20 days in one season, an option is not used.

* A player may be eligible for a fourth option year if he has been optioned in three seasons but does not yet have five full seasons of professional experience. A full season is defined as being on an active pro roster for at least 90 days in a season. (If a player is put on the disabled list after earning 60 or more days of service in a single season, his time on the DL is counted.) The 90-day requirement means short-season leagues (New-York Penn, Northwest, Pioneer, Appalachian, Gulf Coast, Arizona Rookie, Dominican and Venezuelan Summer Leagues) do not count as full seasons for the purposes of determining eligibility for a fourth option.

 

This isn't exactly how I remember it as there looks to be a few minor differences; pretty much only in the "Counting Option Years" section. So I was wondering if anyone recalls any changes to the process in the latest CBA; or if anyone could tell me how King was "optioned" today, as this still doesn't clear that up for me. It would make sense except that King had his three options used; in '99, 2000, and 2002; and again saw time in the minors in 2007 with the Nats, but I dont recall for sure whether or not that was a rehab assignment.

 

So again, if anyone can help I'd appreciate it.

 

Thanks.

[Jayhawk Bill]

Has the rules for a player's Minor League options changed at all recently?

 

So again, if anyone can help I'd appreciate it.

 

Thanks.

 

26 to 6, this is exactly what I remember the option rules as reading.

 

In Mark Prior's case, because he hadn't seen MiLB time in three seasons after reaching the 40-man, excepting rehab assignments, he was still eligible for assignment via options.

 

I think that the same applies for Ray King. Check it out: if he hit the 40-man in 1999, he'd've burned one option year in 1999, one in 2000, and he'd have one left. He could turn down MiLB assignment due to MLB tenure, but the club wouldn't have to expose him to waivers: if King goes along, the Nats protect him.

 

I think that's what's going on, reading the stories. King is deciding whether or not to accept assignment, but the Nats aren't faced with putting him through waivers.

[26 to 6]

I think that the same applies for Ray King. Check it out: if he hit the 40-man in 1999, he'd've burned one option year in 1999, one in 2000, and he'd have one left. He could turn down MiLB assignment due to MLB tenure, but the club wouldn't have to expose him to waivers: if King goes along, the Nats protect him.

What about 2002 though? He started the year in Indianapolis. I dont recall for sure, but it may have been for rehab, but Idk. I guess I'm gonna have to dig up some information on it. I just don't recall things like a player being granted a 4th option year if his 3 have been used but he's seen less than 5 pro seasons. Thing like that aren't ringing a bell, so figured I would ask. Thanks JHB.

[Jayhawk Bill]

What about 2002 though? He started the year in Indianapolis. I dont recall for sure' date=' but it may have been for rehab, but Idk. I guess I'm gonna have to dig up some information on it. I just don't recall things like a player being granted a 4th option year if his 3 have been used but he's seen less than 5 pro seasons. Thing like that aren't ringing a bell, so figured I would ask. Thanks JHB.[/quote']

 

Welcome!

 

King had exactly 1 IP in one game in AAA in 2002...I'm thinking "rehab."