One of the frequently asked questions as Spring Training approaches is how many minor league options does a player have left. As the Cubs roster is currently constructed, there will be competition in the spring for the available spots on the 25-man active roster.
An option (optional assignment) allows a club to move a player on its 40-man roster to and from the minor leagues without exposing him to the other 29 teams.
When a player is added to the 40-man roster, his club has three options, or three separate seasons during which the club may move him to and from the minor leagues without exposing him to other clubs. A player on the 40-man roster playing in the minors is on an optional assignment, and within an option season, there is no limit on the numbers of times a club may demote or recall a player. A player optioned to the minor leagues may not be recalled for at least 10 days, unless the club places a Major League player on the disabled list during the 10-day window.
A team can move a player back and forth between the minors and the Major League team as many times as necessary during a season and use only one minor league option.
After three options are used, the player is out of options. Beginning with the next season, he must clear waivers before he may be sent to the minors again. And a player with five years of Major League service time may not be sent to the minor leagues on an optional assignment without his consent.
A player may be eligible for a fourth option year if he has been optioned in three seasons but does not yet have five full seasons of professional experience. A full season is defined as being on an active roster for at least 90 days in a season.
Here are the players currently on the Cubs’ 40-man roster and the number of minor league options they have left. An explanation of Optional Assignment Waivers can be found under the MLB Transactions Glossary and Rules tab or by viewing Arizona Phil’s roster tab at the Cub Reporter. Due to their contracts and service time, Jon Lester, Jason Hammel, John Lackey, Ben Zobrist, Miguel Montero, David Ross and Jason Heyward are not included in this report.
Pitchers
- Andury Acevedo, RHP – 3
- Dallas Beeler, RHP – 1
- Rex Brothers, LHP – 2
- Trevor Cahill, RHP – 2
- Carl Edwards Jr., RHP – 2
- Justin Grimm, RHP – 1
- Kyle Hendricks, RHP – 3
- Pierce Johnson, RHP – 3
- Eric Jokisch, LHP – 2
- Edgar Olmos, LHP – 0
- Spencer Patton, RHP – 2
- Neil Ramirez, RHP – 0
- Clayton Richard, LHP – 3
- Hector Rondon, RHP – 0
- Zac Rosscup, LHP – 1
- Pedro Strop, RHP – 0
- Adam Warren, RHP – 2
- Travis Wood, LHP – 0
Jake Arrieta has one minor league option left. Due to his service time (4.145), if the Cubs try to option him to the minors after April 29, he has the right to refuse the Optional Assignment or he could decide to become a free agent.
The Cubs would have to secure Optional Assignment Waivers, which are revocable, if the front office decided they would like to option Rex Brothers, Trevor Cahill, Justin Grimm or Clayton Richard to the minors, they also have the right to refuse the Optional Assignment or decide to become a free agent.
Catchers
- Willson Contreras – 3
Infielders
- Arismendy Alcantara – 1
- Javier Baez – 2
- Kris Bryant – 3
- Jeimer Candelario – 3
- Tommy La Stella – 3
- Addison Russell – 3
- Christian Villanueva – 0
- Dan Vogelbach – 3
Anthony Rizzo has one minor league option left. The Cubs would have to secure Optional Assignment Waivers if the front office decided they would like to option Rizzo to the minors. As the case with Jake Arrieta, Rizzo has the right to refuse the Optional Assignment or he could decide to become a free agent.
Outfielders
- Chris Coghlan – 1
- Kyle Schwarber – 2
- Jorge Soler – 1
- Matt Szczur – 0
Due to service time, the Cubs would have to secure Optional Assignment Waivers on Chris Coghlan before he could be optioned to the minors. Coghlan could refuse the assignment and elect free agency.
The front office, Joe Maddon and the coaching staff will have decisions to make with Christian Villanueva and Matt Szczur if both players are with the team throughout Spring Training. Villanueva and Szczur are out of options and could fill roles on Maddon’s bench. Villanueva and Szczur can play multiple positions and Szczur could provide the team some much-needed speed in a backup role.