1. An option is not used if a player is not sent down to the minors for an entire year
2. If the assignment to the minors lasted less than 20 days, an option is not used.
3. 4th option year may be allowed if the player has less than 5 years of pro ball experience counting from the date he first signed (not counting short season leagues)
other exceptions
Players who have played atleat 5 major league seasons cannot be optioned to the minors without his consent. These "veteran players" can become a free agent once he refuses the assignment.
2010 baltimore orioles options remaining
0 option years: these players must be on the 25 man active roster.
Matt Albers, Alberto Castillo, Jim Johnson, Dennis Sarfate, Robert Andino, Brandon Snyder, Felix Pie,
1 or more option years remaining: can be optioned in and out of the 25 man active roster without any consequence.
Brian Bass, Brad Bergesen, Jason Berken, Brandon Erbe, Armando Gabino, David Hernandez, Luis Lebron, Nick Markakis, Brian Matusz, Kam Mickolio, Troy Patton, Wilfrido Perez, Chorye Spoone Chris Tillman, Koji Uehara, Craig Tatum, Matt Wieters, Michael Aubrey, Josh Bell, Pedro Florimon, Rhyne Hughes, Justin Turner, Lou Montanez, Nolan Reimold.
Veteran players:Cannot be optioned out of the 25 man without his consent.
Jeremy Guthrie, Kevin Millwood, Cla Meredith, Cesar Izturis, Brian Roberts, Ty Wigginton, Adam Jones, Luke Scott
Matt Albers, Alberto Castillo, Jim Johnson, Dennis Sarfate, Robert Andino, Brandon Snyder, Felix Pie,
1 or more option years remaining: can be optioned in and out of the 25 man active roster without any consequence.
Brian Bass, Brad Bergesen, Jason Berken, Brandon Erbe, Armando Gabino, David Hernandez, Luis Lebron, Nick Markakis, Brian Matusz, Kam Mickolio, Troy Patton, Wilfrido Perez, Chorye Spoone Chris Tillman, Koji Uehara, Craig Tatum, Matt Wieters, Michael Aubrey, Josh Bell, Pedro Florimon, Rhyne Hughes, Justin Turner, Lou Montanez, Nolan Reimold.
Veteran players:Cannot be optioned out of the 25 man without his consent.
Jeremy Guthrie, Kevin Millwood, Cla Meredith, Cesar Izturis, Brian Roberts, Ty Wigginton, Adam Jones, Luke Scott
2010 options remaining per team
will be posted starting today. Information will be posted based on readily available information and by using my best judgement based on the current 40 man roster. will start with the AL.
what is an option?
from wikipedia:
Options
If a player is on the 40-man roster but not on the active major league roster, he is said to be on optional assignment—his organization may freely move him between the major league club and the minor league club. If a player is on the 40-man roster and not the active 25 man roster for any part of more than three seasons (in which he spent 20 or more total days of service in the minors), he is out of options and may not be assigned to the minors without first clearing waivers. However, if a player has less than 5 years of professional experience, he may be optioned to the minors in a fourth season without being subject to waivers. If a major league player is ineligible for free agency and "has options" remaining, his team may option him to a minor league team without consequence. This is usually what is meant when players are "sent down" to the minors. Likewise, when a player on the 40-man roster is added to the active major league roster, he is "called up" to the majors.
Options
If a player is on the 40-man roster but not on the active major league roster, he is said to be on optional assignment—his organization may freely move him between the major league club and the minor league club. If a player is on the 40-man roster and not the active 25 man roster for any part of more than three seasons (in which he spent 20 or more total days of service in the minors), he is out of options and may not be assigned to the minors without first clearing waivers. However, if a player has less than 5 years of professional experience, he may be optioned to the minors in a fourth season without being subject to waivers. If a major league player is ineligible for free agency and "has options" remaining, his team may option him to a minor league team without consequence. This is usually what is meant when players are "sent down" to the minors. Likewise, when a player on the 40-man roster is added to the active major league roster, he is "called up" to the majors.
mlboptions.com
this site will deal with MLB transactions, and mostly, who still has "options" -optional assignments left on their major league baseball MLB service. I decided to do this site because I found out that there is no website dedicated to this frequently misunderstood MLB term. Stay tuned as i update this site.