Straight Outta Options

by
February 26, 2018

Jason mentioned this idea on Sunday’s pod so I went ahead and put it together. It’s a list of all the players on 40-man rosters who are out of options and thus could have the inside track on roster spots if they’re directly competing with someone who does have an option left. He mentioned that he uses this info to identify some options for AL/NL Only leagues where playing time is king. Hat tip to Justin for the title of this piece!

I didn’t pick and choose who to mention so you’ll see some guys who are obviously not in grave danger of even being sent down at any point. Instead, I’m just listing all the 40-man players with a “0” in the options column on Roster Resource. These guys could be dealt to or picked up by teams where their playing time gets a boost.

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Paul is the Editor of Rotographs and Content Director for OOTP Perfect Team. Follow Paul on Twitter @sporer and on Twitch at sporer.

12 Comments
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TimeToMakeTheDonuts
8 years ago

Jurickson Profar is an interesting name. Hasn’t done much, but at least it feels like he’s closing in on either a true opportunity or a change of scenery.

Blake Swihart is another guy who bears watching in AL only.

2
Paul SporerFanGraphs Staff
8 years ago
Reply to  TimeToMakeTheDonuts

Profar was the impetus for this list! And yes, I agree re: Swihart, though Nunez’s return kills his chances to get on the dirt: https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/red-soxs-blake-swihart-no-more-work-at-second-third-base/

1
dew98aMember since 2024
8 years ago
Reply to  Paul Sporer

What is your take on Profar this year and forward? Do you like him to be a good MLBer going forward?

0
cdarcyMember since 2016
8 years ago

I’m not sure how Amir Garrett would be out of options.

0
Paul SporerFanGraphs Staff
8 years ago
Reply to  cdarcy

Well he was drafted in ’11 so he’s been a pro for quite some time.

RR says 0 and that was my source, but if still has an option, I’ll amend! – https://www.rosterresource.com/mlb-cincinnati-reds/

0
Paul SporerFanGraphs Staff
8 years ago
Reply to  Paul Sporer

Looks like he’s an exception – http://redsminorleagues.com/2017/08/15/amir-garrett-4th-option-year/ — so if they have something that just counts pro seasons and doesn’t factor case-by-case, that’s how he got on the list with 0.

0
Dknapp26Member since 2025
8 years ago
Reply to  cdarcy

If not for the exception, he would be, because the reds moved him to the 40 man in 2014. I guess for some reason they were worried about him going in the rule 5 so they protected him.

0
Dknapp26Member since 2025
8 years ago

I believe Amir Garrett is not out of options. While he has spent 3 seasons on the 40 man roster, it appears that he falls under the exception in rule 11(c) which provides that any player who utilizes 3 option years within his first 5 professional seasons will be allowed a 4th option year. For the purposes of this exception, a season consists of any year with more than 90 days spent on the active roster. Since Rookie ball and short season A ball last fewer than 90 days, it is impossible to accrue a season for the purposes of this rule while only being active in Rookie or short season A ball. Amir Garrett has only 4 professional seasons under this rule because 2014 appears to be his first year with more than 90 active roster days.

It is possible that roster resource has made other errors as well, I only looked into Garrett.

0
Paul SporerFanGraphs Staff
8 years ago
Reply to  Dknapp26

Word, I probably just saw the same thing you did – http://redsminorleagues.com/2017/08/15/amir-garrett-4th-option-year/

0
dl80Member since 2026
8 years ago

Does this mean Wilmer Font will take over the Brock Stewart long-relief/6th starter role? Stewart has options left and only has 67 innings at AAA in his career and could probably use more time there. Font looks ready to me. What do you think, Paul?

1
Alan
8 years ago

Not only is this a useful reference, it inspired a flashback to when Bernie Sanders dropped out of the presidential race.

-1
Anonymous
8 years ago

80 grade headline

1