2020 Minor League Options Remaining Thread

[Greenleaf1]

Now that the 2019 season is over (at least for our team), here is the new thread for tracking Minor League options through the 2020 season. All free agents (or assumed free agents) have been removed.

 

Here's a link to the Brewerfan.net options page: http://www.brewerfan.net/ViewFortyManRoster.do?teamId=1

For more info on Minor League Option Rules: http://m.mlb.com/glossary/transactions/ ... ue-options

 

PITCHERS

 

Brett Anderson - 3*

^Phil Bickford - 2-

Ray Black - 0

#Corbin Burnes - 2

Alex Claudio - 1*

^J.P. Feyereisen - 2-

Josh Hader - 2

Adrian Houser - 0

Corey Knebel - 0

^Eric Lauer - 2-

Josh Lindblom - 0

Freddy Peralta - 2

^Angel Perdomo - 2-

Drew Rasmussen - 3

Brent Suter - 2

Justin Topa - 3

^Bobby Wahl - 1-

Devin Williams - 3

Brandon Woodruff - 1

Eric Yardley - 3

 

CATCHERS

 

^David Freitas - 0-

Omar Narvaez - 3

Jacob Nottingham - 0-

#Manny Pina - 0

 

INFIELD

 

Orlando Arcia - 1

Jedd Gyorko - 2*

Ryon Healy - 2-

Keston Hiura - 2

^Mark Mathias - 2-

Jace Peterson - 0

Eric Sogard - 1*

Luis Urias - 2

Daniel Vogelbach - 0

 

OUTFIELD

 

Ryan Braun - 3*

[R]Lorenzo Cain - 1*

#Ben Gamel - 1

Avisail Garcia - 2*

^Billy McKinney - 0-

^Corey Ray - 2-

Tyrone Taylor - 1-

Christian Yelich - 3*

 

^ Currently optioned to the Minor Leagues

 

# Currently on the Injured List

 

[R] Currently on the Restricted List

 

- Player has already burned option for current year

 

* Player has at least 5 years service time and cannot be optioned without their consent (or player has signed an extension or free agent contract and likely has a clause not allowing a minor league option without player consent)

 

** Some players are eligible for a 4th option year if they spend an entire option year injured or have burned all 3 options in their first 5 pro years. A 4th option year burns the year it is given even if the player spends the entire year on the Major League roster.

[folly412]

Couple of rough spots with the last few bullpen arms and bench infielders, exactly the places you'd want flexibility being exactly the players out of options. Probably the places to look for non-tenders and spring training/early season DFAs.

[Greenleaf1]

Turns out the Jay Jackson is a free agent as a result of his contract he signed coming back from Japan, so he has been removed from this list.

 

EDIT: Source:

[Outlander]

That is weird, wouldn't think Jay Jackson would have the leverage to ask for that when he signed a minor league contract that he would become a free agent even if he was on the major league roster.

[motchie]

It’s nice and great job!!

But, I have a different opinion about 3 players below…

 

 

#1 Corey Knebel ---- 1→0

#2 Taylor Williams -- 0→1

#3 Eric Thames ----- 1*→0

 

 

#1

Corey Knebel was used his third option in 2016 within 3 professional seasons, so he qualified 4th option for 2017 season. But his option had not been used for 2 years (2017 and 2018).

Prior to 2019 season, he has already spent 5 professional seasons and not eligible for 4th option, so now he is out of option.

 

#2

Taylor Williams was used his third option this year. He was drafted in 2013 and played in short-season league that year, and missed entire season due to injury in 2015 and 2016.

Now, he has spent only 4 professional seasons (2014, 2017~2019) and should be eligible for 4th option next season.

 

#3

Eric Thames has been optioned for 3 seasons (2011~2013) and not eligible for 4th option, so he is out of option, regardless of his contract clause or major league service time......

[Greenleaf1]

It’s nice and great job!!

But, I have a different opinion about 3 players below…

 

 

#1 Corey Knebel ---- 1→0

#2 Taylor Williams -- 0→1

#3 Eric Thames ----- 1*→0

 

 

#1

Corey Knebel was used his third option in 2016 within 3 professional seasons, so he qualified 4th option for 2017 season. But his option had not been used for 2 years (2017 and 2018).

Prior to 2019 season, he has already spent 5 professional seasons and not eligible for 4th option, so now he is out of option.

 

#2

Taylor Williams was used his third option this year. He was drafted in 2013 and played in short-season league that year, and missed entire season due to injury in 2015 and 2016.

Now, he has spent only 4 professional seasons (2014, 2017~2019) and should be eligible for 4th option next season.

 

#3

Eric Thames has been optioned for 3 seasons (2011~2013) and not eligible for 4th option, so he is out of option, regardless of his contract clause or major league service time......

 

I think there are some discrepancies here that would require more input from someone with more first-hand knowledge.

 

#1

I believe 4th options are only usable in the year they are granted. This means that Knebel's 4th option, if that's what he had, would only be usable in 2017, but he was optioned in 2018 (this was the case with Houser this year, he would've burned that 4th option this year even if he had stayed with the team the entire year). The fact that Knebel was optioned in 2018 seems to suggest he had a regular option year remaining, even though his career history seems to indicate that he would've burned all 3 options in 2014-2016. I did a quick google search and didn't see any stories about Knebel being granted a 4th option, but if you can find one please send it my way (although this would still be confusing, because I believe he should still have lost a 4th option year after 2017 if that's the case). My answer here is that I'm really unsure of what the correct answer is, 1 or 0, for now I will stick with 1. His service time entering the 2020 season will be 4 years and 151 days, so he should reach that 5 year mark pretty quickly, rendering this (mostly) irrelevant, especially since he'll likely hit that 5 year mark starting the year on the IL.

 

#2

Williams may be eligible for a 4th option year, but I'm not going to update that here until we find that out for sure, which would likely be around the start of spring training.

 

#3

I'm a little unclear on how the day count works, but Thames was recalled on his 20th day optioned in 2011, so I'm not sure that he burned an option that year. Having an option left would make sense then that his contract stipulates he cannot be optioned to the Minor Leagues without his permission, which would be unnecessary if he didn't still have a Minor League option.

 

Long story short, I'm going to leave all of these the way they are for now, but thanks for your input.

[motchie]

It’s nice and great job!!

But, I have a different opinion about 3 players below…

.............................…

#1 Corey Knebel ---- 1→0

#2 Taylor Williams -- 0→1

#3 Eric Thames ----- 1*→0

.............................…

......

 

I think there are some discrepancies here that would require more input from someone with more first-hand knowledge.

 

#1

I believe 4th options are only usable in the year they are granted. This means that Knebel's 4th option, if that's what he had, would only be usable in 2017, but he was optioned in 2018 (this was the case with Houser this year, he would've burned that 4th option this year even if he had stayed with the team the entire year). The fact that Knebel was optioned in 2018 seems to suggest he had a regular option year remaining, even though his career history seems to indicate that he would've burned all 3 options in 2014-2016. I did a quick google search and didn't see any stories about Knebel being granted a 4th option, but if you can find one please send it my way (although this would still be confusing, because I believe he should still have lost a 4th option year after 2017 if that's the case). My answer here is that I'm really unsure of what the correct answer is, 1 or 0, for now I will stick with 1. His service time entering the 2020 season will be 4 years and 151 days, so he should reach that 5 year mark pretty quickly, rendering this (mostly) irrelevant, especially since he'll likely hit that 5 year mark starting the year on the IL.

 

#2

Williams may be eligible for a 4th option year, but I'm not going to update that here until we find that out for sure, which would likely be around the start of spring training.

 

#3

I'm a little unclear on how the day count works, but Thames was recalled on his 20th day optioned in 2011, so I'm not sure that he burned an option that year. Having an option left would make sense then that his contract stipulates he cannot be optioned to the Minor Leagues without his permission, which would be unnecessary if he didn't still have a Minor League option.

 

Long story short, I'm going to leave all of these the way they are for now, but thanks for your input.

 

 

Thank you for your reply.

Excuse me, but I think there are no discrepancies in these cases.

As a fact, 2019 Brewers media guide shows that Corey Knebel and Eric Thames are both “OPTIONS REMAINING (0)” in their profile pages, and I could explain that is true.

 

#1

At first, a player may be granted 4th option only for that year (as you says) based on his status (burned 3 options within 4 pro seasons), according to Major League Rules MLR11©.

 

I think that if the player granted 4th option is……

 

(1)optioned for 20 or more days that season, his 4th option is burned and he will be out of option for upcoming seasons, of course.

(2)not optioned or optioned for less than 20 days, his 4th option is NOT burned, and he may be granted again next year based on his UPDATED status (usually, one more pro season added). However, if his new status does not satisfy the criteria (within 4 pro seasons), 4th option is no longer granted.

 

I can’t find the source about Corey Knebel’s 4th option, but I believe that…

He was granted 4th option for 2017 season based on his status (3 options, 3 pro seasons). He was not optioned in 2017, and he was granted again for 2018 season based on his updated status (4 pro seasons), so he was able to be optioned in 2018. His option days were less than 20 days (option not burned), so granted one more time for 2019? No. He would be no longer granted because his updated status (5 pro seasons) has no longer satisfied the criteria.

 

A similar situation was shown in early days of Rickie Weeks. His 3 options were burned in 2003~2005, 4th option granted for 2006 (not optioned) and again for 2007 (optioned for 9 days, not burned), and probably for 2008 (not optioned). He had completed 5 pro seasons in 2008 and out of option since 2009, his 4th option has never used.

 

Unlike Knebel or Weeks, many players granted 4th option had already completed 4 pro seasons at the time they granted, so they could no longer be granted for next year even if they had spent entire season in majors (not burned), like Junior Guerra in 2017-18.

 

Here is the list of 4th option players edited by me (list is incomplete yet…)

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nRo2qO4FDb-ElZb8du-zdkQ3nYFvzsYK2_x2UmdGPDA/edit#gid=1127751973

 

 

#3

For amateur researchers like us, it is a little difficult to count option years because the assignment dates reported by media are sometimes different by sources.

There are two different reports about Eric Thames’ transaction dates in 2011:

 

(mlb.com, stats.com, rotoworld.com)

optioned on June 4, recalled on June 23 (optioned for 19 days, less than 20, option not burned)

 

(espn.com, rotowire.com)

optioned on June 3, recalled on June 23 (optioned for just 20 days, option burned)

 

Which one should I believe? His option burned or not burned?

 

Therefore, I think about his major league service time.

According to CBA ARTICLE XXI(B), a player optioned for less than 20 days in one season shall be credited with major league service time including his option days.

 

2019 Brewers media guide shows his service time as 3 years+63 days by 2018, 579 days in other word.

Year by year details are 115 days in 2011, 120(2012), 172(2017) and 172(2018), referred to “Cot’s baseball contracts” site.

 

His 115 days in 2011 does not include his option days, much with , which shows his option days as 20 (option burned).

If he had been optioned for 19 days (option not burned) as shows, his service time should be 135 days (added his 19 option days and one more active day).

 

So, I believe and conclude that he was burned one option in 2011 (out of option now).

 

 

Sorry for long, too long reply…

I wish this discussion to be useful...

[Greenleaf1]

It’s nice and great job!!

But, I have a different opinion about 3 players below…

.............................…

#1 Corey Knebel ---- 1→0

#2 Taylor Williams -- 0→1

#3 Eric Thames ----- 1*→0

.............................…

......

 

I think there are some discrepancies here that would require more input from someone with more first-hand knowledge.

 

#1

I believe 4th options are only usable in the year they are granted. This means that Knebel's 4th option, if that's what he had, would only be usable in 2017, but he was optioned in 2018 (this was the case with Houser this year, he would've burned that 4th option this year even if he had stayed with the team the entire year). The fact that Knebel was optioned in 2018 seems to suggest he had a regular option year remaining, even though his career history seems to indicate that he would've burned all 3 options in 2014-2016. I did a quick google search and didn't see any stories about Knebel being granted a 4th option, but if you can find one please send it my way (although this would still be confusing, because I believe he should still have lost a 4th option year after 2017 if that's the case). My answer here is that I'm really unsure of what the correct answer is, 1 or 0, for now I will stick with 1. His service time entering the 2020 season will be 4 years and 151 days, so he should reach that 5 year mark pretty quickly, rendering this (mostly) irrelevant, especially since he'll likely hit that 5 year mark starting the year on the IL.

 

#2

Williams may be eligible for a 4th option year, but I'm not going to update that here until we find that out for sure, which would likely be around the start of spring training.

 

#3

I'm a little unclear on how the day count works, but Thames was recalled on his 20th day optioned in 2011, so I'm not sure that he burned an option that year. Having an option left would make sense then that his contract stipulates he cannot be optioned to the Minor Leagues without his permission, which would be unnecessary if he didn't still have a Minor League option.

 

Long story short, I'm going to leave all of these the way they are for now, but thanks for your input.

 

 

Thank you for your reply.

Excuse me, but I think there are no discrepancies in these cases.

As a fact, 2019 Brewers media guide shows that Corey Knebel and Eric Thames are both “OPTIONS REMAINING (0)” in their profile pages, and I could explain that is true.

 

#1

At first, a player may be granted 4th option only for that year (as you says) based on his status (burned 3 options within 4 pro seasons), according to Major League Rules MLR11©.

 

I think that if the player granted 4th option is……

 

(1)optioned for 20 or more days that season, his 4th option is burned and he will be out of option for upcoming seasons, of course.

(2)not optioned or optioned for less than 20 days, his 4th option is NOT burned, and he may be granted again next year based on his UPDATED status (usually, one more pro season added). However, if his new status does not satisfy the criteria (within 4 pro seasons), 4th option is no longer granted.

 

I can’t find the source about Corey Knebel’s 4th option, but I believe that…

He was granted 4th option for 2017 season based on his status (3 options, 3 pro seasons). He was not optioned in 2017, and he was granted again for 2018 season based on his updated status (4 pro seasons), so he was able to be optioned in 2018. His option days were less than 20 days (option not burned), so granted one more time for 2019? No. He would be no longer granted because his updated status (5 pro seasons) has no longer satisfied the criteria.

 

A similar situation was shown in early days of Rickie Weeks. His 3 options were burned in 2003~2005, 4th option granted for 2006 (not optioned) and again for 2007 (optioned for 9 days, not burned), and probably for 2008 (not optioned). He had completed 5 pro seasons in 2008 and out of option since 2009, his 4th option has never used.

 

Unlike Knebel or Weeks, many players granted 4th option had already completed 4 pro seasons at the time they granted, so they could no longer be granted for next year even if they had spent entire season in majors (not burned), like Junior Guerra in 2017-18.

 

Here is the list of 4th option players edited by me (list is incomplete yet…)

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nRo2qO4FDb-ElZb8du-zdkQ3nYFvzsYK2_x2UmdGPDA/edit#gid=1127751973

 

 

#3

For amateur researchers like us, it is a little difficult to count option years because the assignment dates reported by media are sometimes different by sources.

There are two different reports about Eric Thames’ transaction dates in 2011:

 

(mlb.com, stats.com, rotoworld.com)

optioned on June 4, recalled on June 23 (optioned for 19 days, less than 20, option not burned)

 

(espn.com, rotowire.com)

optioned on June 3, recalled on June 23 (optioned for just 20 days, option burned)

 

Which one should I believe? His option burned or not burned?

 

Therefore, I think about his major league service time.

According to CBA ARTICLE XXI(B), a player optioned for less than 20 days in one season shall be credited with major league service time including his option days.

 

2019 Brewers media guide shows his service time as 3 years+63 days by 2018, 579 days in other word.

Year by year details are 115 days in 2011, 120(2012), 172(2017) and 172(2018), referred to “Cot’s baseball contracts” site.

 

His 115 days in 2011 does not include his option days, much with , which shows his option days as 20 (option burned).

If he had been optioned for 19 days (option not burned) as shows, his service time should be 135 days (added his 19 option days and one more active day).

 

So, I believe and conclude that he was burned one option in 2011 (out of option now).

 

 

Sorry for long, too long reply…

I wish this discussion to be useful...

 

Thanks for the info. I will update Knebel to 0. With Thames, it seems like there's still some uncertainty there, although you've made a good case, but since he's unlikely to be optioned anyways given the terms of his contract, I will just mark him at 0 and leave it at that.

[djoctagone]

taylor williams has been granted a fourth option. it will be burned in 2020 regardless of whether or not he is optioned.

[Oxy]

It looks to me like Deolis Guerra is basically a goner (or he accepts a minor league assignment off the 40 man at the end of ST after being DFA'd). His 40 man roster spot is more than expendable considering that he is out of options and unlikely to be good enough to stay rostered all year.

 

After that, I'd think that Taylor Williams and Ronny Rodriguez are the next guys to go? Then Tyrone Taylor? All of them have options though, so they might have at least some minimal trade value for a desperate team with open 40 man spots. RR was waived/DFA'd in Dec. though, so he probably has no trade value right now (as otherwise the Tigers would have flipped him for cash/lottery ticket/PTBNL). After that you've got Ray Black, who will very likely be given every opportunity to succeed/fail at the big league level until mid-May anyways. If we don't acquire anybody else, Guerra would be in this same sink or swim boat as well.

 

 

I'm trying to figure out how likely we are to add guys to the 40 before April. It looks like we have 1 basically open spot (Guerra), and another 2 spots that are easily opened up even if it means DFAing guys with options (TWill and RR). That's probably plenty of flexibility for now.

[ClosetBrewerFan]

Freitas roster spot is also in jeopardy.

[djoctagone]

for 2020, the requisite stay for a player on optional assignment (barring injury or need for a 27th man) is 10 days for all players. also, players burn an option after 20 days on optional assignment.

[Greenleaf1]

Updated main post. Will update again after first options expire 20 days into season.

 

I'm not sure how service time works this year, but Alex Claudio appears to be the only person with options remaining who could hit 5 years service time this year.

[djoctagone]

this may help with service time, if you feel like doing the math. the author got a copy of the 101-page mlb operations manual.

[Greenleaf1]

Given how short the season is, and that it may only affect Alex Claudio of all people, I'll probably just leave it as is until the end of the year, but thanks for the resource.

[djoctagone]

have we reached the date where every player who has spent all of 2020 optioned to the alternate training site has burned his option? asking for angel perdomo.

[Greenleaf1]

have we reached the date where every player who has spent all of 2020 optioned to the alternate training site has burned his option? asking for angel perdomo.

 

I was just checking that. Today is day 21 of the season, so I'd imagine that yes, Angel Perdomo burned an option this year along with a bunch of others who I have marked.

[Outlander]

Given how short the season is, and that it may only affect Alex Claudio of all people, I'll probably just leave it as is until the end of the year, but thanks for the resource.

Claudio is over 5 years now so I presume can't be sent to Appleton anymore.

[Greenleaf1]

Added Jace Peterson, he has 0 options remaining.

[djoctagone]

there are 23 days left in the season.

 

a player burns his option if he spends 20 days or more on optional assignment. if a player is sent on optional assignment, he must meet a 10-day requisite stay unless being recalled to replace a player on the injured list (including the special covid-19 injured list), the bereavement list, the paternity list, or as the 29th man for a doubleheader.

 

consider this:

 

the brewers have three days with doubleheaders (all against the cardinals) which allows them to recall a player as the 29th man.

 

j.p feyereisen has spent 17 days on optional assignment. if he is optioned again, he most likely will burn his first option. he is a likely candidate to be sent down when corey knebel is activated, unless the club decides to option a position player.

 

mark mathias has spent 19 days on optional assignment. if he is optioned again, he definitely will burn his first option.

 

phil bickford and justin topa were both sent on optional assignment 4 september. if they stay optioned the rest of the season (hitting 20 days within 24 days), they will each burn their first option.

 

orlando arcia, corbin burnes, mat gamel, josh hader, keston hiura, omar narvaez, freddy peralta, drew rasmussen, brent suter, luis urias, devin williams, brandon woodruff and eric yardley all have spent their entire 40-man roster time on the active major league roster. any of them could be optioned for just the requisite 10 days (plus a few more for padding), without burning that option to keep any of bickford, feyereisen, mathias or topa on the active roster and from burning their options.

 

jacob nottingham and tyrone taylor, both currently on the active roster, have already burned their 2020 options.

 

obviously, the club needs to evaluate the cost of removing any of the aforementioned players from the active roster in their efforts to gain a postseason berth, and the value of the recalled player as a replacement--if the motivation of the move is to keep a player's option from burning.

 

if a player goes down with an injury, or if the brewers tank, it makes sense for the club to recall a player who has yet to burn his option, rather than turning to the pool of david freitas, ryon healy, eric lauer, angel perdomo, corey ray, ronny rodriguez or bobby wahl (who is currently injured and likely not available for recall)--all of whom have already burned their options this year.

[djoctagone]

there are now 19 days left in the season. any player who hasn't been optioned this year can be optioned, and he will not burn that option.

[djoctagone]

there are 23 days left in the season.

 

a player burns his option if he spends 20 days or more on optional assignment. if a player is sent on optional assignment, he must meet a 10-day requisite stay unless being recalled to replace a player on the injured list (including the special covid-19 injured list), the bereavement list, the paternity list, or as the 29th man for a doubleheader.

 

consider this:

 

the brewers have three days with doubleheaders (all against the cardinals) which allows them to recall a player as the 29th man.

 

phil bickford and justin topa were both sent on optional assignment 4 september. if they stay optioned the rest of the season (hitting 20 days within 24 days), they will each burn their first option.

justin topa spent one day as the 29th man, and was optioned again. he will burn his first option if he hits 20 days on optional assignment within 23 days since 4 september.

[djoctagone]

there are 23 days left in the season.

 

a player burns his option if he spends 20 days or more on optional assignment. if a player is sent on optional assignment, he must meet a 10-day requisite stay unless being recalled to replace a player on the injured list (including the special covid-19 injured list), the bereavement list, the paternity list, or as the 29th man for a doubleheader.

 

consider this:

 

the brewers have three days with doubleheaders (all against the cardinals) which allows them to recall a player as the 29th man.

 

phil bickford and justin topa were both sent on optional assignment 4 september. if they stay optioned the rest of the season (hitting 20 days within 24 days), they will each burn their first option.

justin topa spent one day as the 29th man, and was optioned again. he will burn his first option if he hits 20 days on optional assignment within 23 days since 4 september.

[djoctagone]

there are 23 days left in the season.

 

a player burns his option if he spends 20 days or more on optional assignment. if a player is sent on optional assignment, he must meet a 10-day requisite stay unless being recalled to replace a player on the injured list (including the special covid-19 injured list), the bereavement list, the paternity list, or as the 29th man for a doubleheader.

 

consider this:

 

the brewers have three days with doubleheaders (all against the cardinals) which allows them to recall a player as the 29th man.

 

phil bickford and justin topa were both sent on optional assignment 4 september. if they stay optioned the rest of the season (hitting 20 days within 24 days), they will each burn their first option.

justin topa spent one day as the 29th man, and was optioned again. he will burn his first option if he hits 20 days on optional assignment within 23 days since 4 september.

[djoctagone]

justin topa has been recalled while josh lindblom is on the bereavement list. there is a chance that if he is optioned upon lindblom's return, that there will not be enough days left in the season for him to burn his first option.