As spring training gets underway, one main factor for many players competing for major league jobs is their option status. Having a roster of players with options gives the Brewers\u2019 flexibility on how to build their roster. They can move players between the majors and minors throughout the season, giving them depth for injury replacements as well as a way to get fresh players during the grind of the season. This spring, the Brewers will have a lot of flexibility with options, as many players have at least one available.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a quick reminder on how options work. When a player is first placed on the 40-man roster, they are given three options. If a player is on the 40-man roster, but not on the 26-man active roster or injured list, they must be sent on an optional assignment to the minors. After they have spent 20 days in the minors, one of their options is used for the year. A player can be recalled and optioned multiple times over the course of a season, but only one option is used in a year. However, they are limited to being optioned five times in a single season. Any more than that requires them to be placed on outright waivers \u2014 which allows other teams to claim them \u2014 to return to the minors.<\/p>\n
If a player is out of options, the only way they can be sent to the minors is by being designated for assignment \u2014 which removes them from the 40-man roster \u2014 and then placed on outright waivers before being assigned to the minors. Players with more than three years of Major League service, or players who have been outrighted before, can reject being outrighted to the minors and become free agents. This is in addition to players who have five years of Major League service, who must agree to be sent to the minors under any circumstance.<\/p>\n
Below are lists of all the players in the Brewers\u2019 major league camp and their current option status. I placed players who are projected to make the major league roster toward the top of each list. Some players are marked with specific symbols; here is what they mean. Option status is based on Roster Resource via FanGraphs.<\/p>\n
* – Non-roster invitees (in major league camp, not on 40-man roster)
# – Players who will exceed five years of major league service during the season. These players can only be sent to the minors with their consent after passing five years.
^ – Players with one option who may be eligible for a fourth option. (This will be discussed further in that section.)<\/p>\n
Position PlayersGreg Jones*Eddys Leonard*PitchersRob ZastryznyPeter Strzelecki*Jacob Waguespack*<\/p>\n
When it comes to camp battles this spring, option status will play a minimum role in most decisions. The list of players without options is very short, meaning most players who do not make the team can simply be optioned. In the above list, four of the five players are in camp as non-roster invitees on minor league deals. Depending on their contracts (and if they include opt-outs), they can be kept in the minors to start the season.<\/p>\n
The only player who has to make the roster out of camp or be exposed to waivers is Rob Zastryzny. He is the sole Brewer on the 40-man roster who is under five years of service time and does not have an option available. He is currently projected to be on the roster at the start of the season, but still could use a good spring to secure his spot.<\/p>\n
Position PlayersWilliam Contreras#David HamiltonBrice TurangAkil BaddooSteward BerroaTyler Black^Jeferson Quero^PitchersGrant AndersonAaron AshbyDL HallTrevor MegillQuinn PriesterAbner UribeAngel ZerpaEaston McGeeSammy PeraltaCarlos Rodriguez^Gerson Garabito*<\/p>\n
There\u2019s not much to see in this list, since most of the players who are projected to be on the opening day roster are established at their positions. For the players who have their minor league option used, this will be an important season for them. Without an option next year, they will need to earn their job at the start of the season. Performing well when they get chances in the majors will be important, so they can build a resume for themselves before next season.<\/p>\n