Free Agent Question

jlester92 · 08-01-2016, 01:31 PM

I am trying to sign some free agents. None of them want to sing minor league deals. If they sign a major league contract do they have to be on your 25 man roster or can they play in the minors?

andyhdz · 08-01-2016, 01:51 PM

He doesn't have to be on your 25 man roster but he will take up a slot on your 40 man roster. Those 15 extra players are going to be playing the minors or on the DL. If your 40 man roster is already full you'll have to designate for assignment or outright release someone to make room. Usually you'll want to designate for assignment which means taking him off your 40 man roster and demoting him to minors BUT he has to clear waivers before he can move to minors. Any team can claim players who are in this status and you can't do anything about it. Vice versa you should look at the waiver wire and do the same to teams. This is completely different then just sending someone who is on the 40 man roster down to the minors but still want to keep him on your 40 man roster. Then you are talking about using up his option years or how many times you can do this to him. Essentially modern day baseball heavily protects players rights but you can turn all of this off if you want.

Rain King · 08-01-2016, 01:55 PM

Depending on their situation, they also may have to clear waivers and/or have the ability to refuse to be sent to the minors.

08-01-2016, 01:31 PM	#1
jlester92 Bat Boy Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 13	Free Agent Question I am trying to sign some free agents. None of them want to sing minor league deals. If they sign a major league contract do they have to be on your 25 man roster or can they play in the minors?

08-01-2016, 01:51 PM	#2
andyhdz All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Fresno, CA by way of Texas Posts: 1,754	He doesn't have to be on your 25 man roster but he will take up a slot on your 40 man roster. Those 15 extra players are going to be playing the minors or on the DL. If your 40 man roster is already full you'll have to designate for assignment or outright release someone to make room. Usually you'll want to designate for assignment which means taking him off your 40 man roster and demoting him to minors BUT he has to clear waivers before he can move to minors. Any team can claim players who are in this status and you can't do anything about it. Vice versa you should look at the waiver wire and do the same to teams. This is completely different then just sending someone who is on the 40 man roster down to the minors but still want to keep him on your 40 man roster. Then you are talking about using up his option years or how many times you can do this to him. Essentially modern day baseball heavily protects players rights but you can turn all of this off if you want. Last edited by andyhdz; 08-01-2016 at 01:59 PM.

08-01-2016, 01:55 PM	#3
Rain King Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 3,158	Depending on their situation, they also may have to clear waivers and/or have the ability to refuse to be sent to the minors.