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What is Designated for Assignment (DFA) Mean in Baseball?

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Of all the distinctive terms used in Major League Baseball, “Designated for assignment” must be near the top of the list for the hardest to explain to new fans. When a player is declared this, often stated as “He was DFA’d,” what exactly does it mean?

Designated for assignment refers to a player’s contract, and it means the team will immediately remove that player from its 40-man roster. For MLB fans, it means you will no longer be seeing that player on that team, at least for a decent spell.

Typically MLB teams do this to clear space for another move, or simply to rid a player from the squad entirely.

Once a player is officially DFA’d, a 7-day period begins, where the club must make a decision about the next destination for that player. In other words, it’s a way for baseball teams to put a player in temporary limbo while they try to figure out their roster situation.

During the 7-day period, that player can be sent to one of the team’s minor league affiliates; traded to another team; or placed on waivers, a list of players for other teams to acquire (under certain rules).

Basically, when you see this term attached to a player, that person is being moved off the regular MLB team at least for the time being. Sometimes, though not often, they are returned to their original team.

Baseball Club Options with Players Designated for Assignment

Once a player is DFA’d, the clock starts for the club to pick an option for that player’s immediate future. Those options are:

  • Assign the player to one of a minor league team affiliated with the club. (This is not available for all players; see Common Questions at bottom).
  • Place the player on the Waiver Wire . This move begins another type of clock ~ where other teams can take the player, under the league’s waiver rules.

2B. If the player on the waiver wire is claimed, his new team must immediately put him on their 40-man roster.

2C. If the player, over a specified period of time, is unclaimed from waivers, he can be assigned to his previous team’s minor league system. Unless: The player has enough service time in the major leagues, or has run out of minor league options (See below), in which case he becomes a free agent who can sign a contract with any team.

  • The player could be released from his contract, that is, set entirely free to go play with any other team. In such instances, the club is responsible for paying the player according to the terms of their contract together.

Types of Rosters in Major League Baseball

All this talk assumes fans know what a 40-man roster is ~ and it’s not just the list of players the current MLB team can use for games. That would be the 26-man roster.

Here’s a breakdown of the 2 types of MLB rosters, which are essentially lists of their players who either can be used in games (26-man), or who are in line to play in games in the near future as well (40-man).

26-Man Roster in MLB

The 26-man roster (or 24- or 25-man rosters in seasons past) is for players available to participate in MLB game play. Players not on the 26-man roster, such as those on injured lists, or in the minor leagues, cannot be entered into an MLB game.

So, MLB teams cannot just sign anyone off the street and instantly insert them into a game. Well, maybe not instantaneously, but at least a full day. However, even that would involve some juggling of personnel, as noted in this article.

40-Man Roster in MLB

baseball term designated for assignment

A club’s 40-man roster is filled by a combination of players on the 26-man roster; along with players on various injured lists (7-, 10-, and 15-day injured lists); on an emergency list for bereavement or a family medical emergency; and some minor league players.

All players on a 26-man roster are also on the 40-man roster. That leaves a club 14 spots to manage all year long ~ and not just during the regular season.

The 40-man roster is important to watch during the offseason , as all those players are protected from other teams “taking” them in what’s called the Rule 5 Draft, held at the end of every year during the MLB’s Winter Meetings.

Notes on the Rule 5 Draft in Major League Baseball

Since 1920, the Rule 5 Draft has given minor league players opportunities with new MLB clubs ~ if their original club did not protect them from this draft by keeping them on the 40-man roster.

The way it works is, clubs with a spot open on their own 40-man roster select players not on 40-man rosters of the other clubs. This ends up like the regular MLB draft, with teams selecting in reverse order of the standings the previous season.

Players are eligible for selection if they are not on their team’s 40-man roster at the time of the draft, and they have either spent 4 seasons in professional baseball after signing at age 19 or older; or spent 5 seasons in pro ball after signing at age 18 or younger.

Even when drafting an eligible player, it’s not over. The new team pays the player’s previous club $100,000, places the player on its 40-man roster, AND then must keep the player on the 26-man roster for the entire next season.

This last requirement makes selecting other team’s unprotected minor league players a true challenge, as they do not yet know if that player will succeed at the major league level. If not, the team pretty much loses a roster spot through season’s end, filled by a player who can hardly contribute.

If the new club takes that player off the 26-man roster, however, it has to offer to return him to his previous team for $50,000.

Perhaps the most famous Rule 5 case was that of Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente, signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers at age 19 and buried on their Montreal, Canada minor league team, where he got all of 155 at bats .

That didn’t fool Branch Rickey, the general manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who that winter selected Clemente in the Rule 5 Draft ~ and then had to keep him on the roster that next season even as he struggled as a young foreign player competing at the game’s highest level.

Eventually the Puerto Rican hero came around, and became one of the best outfielders of all time.

Why Does ‘Designated for Assignment’ in Baseball Have to be So Complicated?

This all may seem confusing, but this system of using players in MLB game play, and also having extra players in case of injuries or emergencies, has evolved with the game. It’s a necessary structure that MLB clubs agree to abide by, for a lot of reasons, avoiding mayhem among them.

When a new fan sees these types of terms, usually in the agate type or side notes in sports sections, or sometimes added to the end of game news reports, they should consider just how hard it is to field a professional baseball team on a near-daily basis.

Baseball might look leisurely to play, but in reality the players exert parts of their body quite extensively ~ in some instances beyond what they are capable of naturally. A summary of a baseball player’s body that could force him off the field at any time:

  • Arms . This includes shoulders, elbows, wrists, and fingers ~ all essential for baseball players to compete at all. The shoulders and elbows, in particular, are punished by the act of throwing a 5-ounce ball repeatedly over extended periods of time.
  • Legs . Baseball is not a game of constant motion like the other major team sports. There is a lot of very instant starting, and quick stopping, which puts a lot of pressure on the tendons, ligaments, and joints of the legs. Knees and ankles give baseball players trouble, due to the starting-stopping, plus a lot of twisting involved in hitting and throwing.
  • Core . This includes the abdomen, hips, and upper thighs. Probably more than the other major team sports, baseball is very tough on the middle of the body , mainly due to all the twisting. Batting, in particular, requires a tremendous twist of the torso to get the bat through the hitting zone, which can impact many muscle groups, as well as the spine.
  • Back . Baseball players are susceptible to back injuries, mainly due to either overextending, or under-stretching. Often it’s a combination of both.

Add to all that the mental aspect of living life (e.g. having a wife and family) while away from home for weeks at a time, and the constant stress of having to perform well to remain in the game (and make more money). All the games, practices, stress, travel, loneliness, and more, can take a toll on any ballplayer.

In summary, any of these body (and mind) areas can take a baseball player out of service, maybe just for a few days, or a few weeks, or even many months. You can tell how often players get hurt by the MLB’s types of injured lists: the 7-day, 15-day, and 60-day injured list.

Roster Management in Baseball

All this gets us to the people responsible for getting the best players possible on the field during any MLB game. It’s not as simple as sending out the same 9 guys day in and day out. Pitchers in particular cannot pitch every single day, so extra pitchers must be brought along.

Some players might hurt a body part, but not in a major way, so all they need is a bit of rest. In these instances, pro baseball teams need a bench full of replacement players waiting to get in the game.

There’s also some competitive strategy involved. Baseball clubs can make changes to their roster daily, so if they foresee a problem upcoming, they can make roster changes to address it. Examples:

  • Lengthy road trips . A club seeing a long stretch of games away from home might carry an extra pitcher just for that period. When they return home, they might send that extra pitcher back to the high minor leagues.
  • Opposition strengths and weaknesses. The MLB regular-season schedule can be quirky, and sometimes teams play the same squads, or groups of them (e.g. from the same division), repeatedly over a short period. Maybe a club manager sees a group of upcoming games where every team has a lot of left-handed pitchers. Then, he may choose to swap out left-handed hitters, and add in more righties, just for that period of time.

In other words, the managers (and general managers) of MLB teams are constantly tinkering with their rosters, for a lot of reasons. Terms like DFA exist to add structure to all of this, in an attempt to ensure fairness for all the clubs, and avoid anarchy.

In summary, the designated for assignment system exists so MLB teams can add a newly acquired player onto their roster ~ through a free agent signing, a trade, a waiver wire grab, or to pull a player up from a minor league team; or to address players bouncing between the injured lists.

Whenever a player is getting healthy enough to return, fans usually get quite excited. But understand, for every player returning to play, another is forced to leave.

Common Questions

Question: what is the difference between being designated for assign and being “optioned”.

Answer: Remaining on the 40-man roster, or not. To be optioned means a player on the 40-man roster is moved to an “optional assignment” with one of the club’s minor league affiliates. An “option” is good for an entire season; and players only get so many options before clubs can no longer send them to a minor league team for roster management purposes. With DFA, if a player has an option remaining, that is something the club could choose to do in the 7-day “decision” period.

Q.: Why do teams only get 7 days to decide what to do with DFA’d players?

A.: It’s according to the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which is the operating structure of the MLB between clubs and players. This period is adjusted periodically upon agreement of a majority of owners and the players. For instance, in the CBA of 2012-16, the period was 10 days.

baseball term designated for assignment

What does 'DFA' mean in baseball? It's not an endearing abbreviation.

Albert Pujols . David Ortiz. Alex Rodriguez. Manny Ramirez. Nelson Cruz. Robinson Cano. Justin Upton.

Ortiz is enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Pujols is a lock for the Hall. Cruz is a future candidate for Cooperstown. And all were former major league All-Stars.

What do they all have in common?

Each of them have been DFA'd during their major league baseball career.

Ultimately, it means the player is cut from a team. It's one of several transactions that can happen to an MLB player. But it's a more common process for players who are in the latter years of their career and in the middle of a contract.

Follow every MLB game: Latest MLB scores, stats, schedules and standings.

What does DFA mean in baseball?

Designated for assignment.

It's one of the more unique transaction types in baseball, where unlike being traded, the player is optioned to the minor leagues or simply cut from the roster.

What does being designated for assignment mean?

Teams are allowed to have 40 players on their roster, with 26 of them active on the major league roster. Over the course of the season, teams make roster moves, which sometimes involves cutting a player. In order to take someone off the 40-man roster, they must be designated for assignment.

MLB.com explains the process: "When a player's contract is designated for assignment — often abbreviated "DFA" — that player is immediately removed from his club's 40-man roster. Within seven days of the transaction (had been 10 days under the 2012-16 Collective Bargaining Agreement), the player can either be traded or placed on irrevocable outright waivers."

Can another team claim a DFA'd player?

Yes, any team can pick up a player off waivers. However, if that team claims the player, they would have to add the player to their 40-man roster.

More baseball fun facts

  • What does BB mean in baseball?
  • What does OPS mean?
  • What was the longest baseball game?
  • Who invented baseball?

BaseballWow

Understanding DFA in Baseball: Implications, Options, and Opportunities

Have you ever heard the term “DFA” in baseball and wondered what it meant? Well, you’re not alone. DFA stands for “Designated for Assignment,” and it’s a term used when a team removes a player from its 40-man roster. But what does that really mean? In this article, I’ll break down the ins and outs of DFA in baseball, explaining why teams use it and what happens to players who are designated for assignment.

When a player is DFA’d, it doesn’t necessarily mean the end of their career. In fact, it’s often just the beginning of a new chapter. Being designated for assignment gives the team a few options – they can trade the player, release them, or send them to the minor leagues if they clear waivers. It’s a strategic move that teams make to free up roster spots or to give struggling players a chance to work on their skills without taking up a valuable spot on the active roster. So, let’s dive deeper into the world of DFA in baseball and explore its significance in the game.

Key Takeaways

  • DFA stands for “Designated for Assignment” in baseball, which is when a player is removed from a team’s 40-man roster.
  • Being DFA’d doesn’t necessarily mean the end of a player’s career; the team has options like trading, releasing, or sending them to the minor leagues if they clear waivers.
  • DFA is a strategic move used by teams to free up roster spots or give struggling players a chance to work on their skills.
  • Some players have found success after being DFA’d, using it as a turning point in their career to make improvements and prove themselves once again.
  • Teams use DFA to effectively manage their roster, evaluate player performance, provide opportunities for improvement, and explore potential trades.
  • Options for players designated for assignment include trading, releasing, sending them to the minor leagues, or reinstating them to the roster.
  • DFA represents a pivotal point in a player’s career, where their future with the team is uncertain but opens up possibilities for growth and positive change.

What is DFA in Baseball?

Designated for Assignment (DFA) is a term commonly used in baseball when a player is removed from a team’s 40-man roster. It’s a strategic move made by teams to either free up roster spots or give struggling players a chance to improve their skills. But what exactly does it mean?

When a player is DFA’d, it doesn’t necessarily mean the end of their career. The team has several options at this point. They can choose to trade the player to another team, release them from their contract, or send them to the minor leagues if they clear waivers.

DFA is a valuable tool for teams as it allows them to make necessary adjustments to their roster. It’s often used when a team needs to make room for a new addition or when a player is underperforming and the team wants to give them an opportunity to work on their skills in a less pressurized environment.

It’s important to note that being DFA’d can be a challenging and uncertain time for players. It puts their career in limbo as they wait to see what the team’s decision will be. However, some players have gone on to find success after being DFA’d, using it as a turning point in their career to make improvements and prove themselves once again.

So, while DFA may signify a player’s removal from a team’s roster, it’s not the end of the road for their baseball career. It’s an opportunity for them to reassess, improve, and potentially find success with another team.

The Meaning of DFA

When it comes to baseball, there are often terms and acronyms that can leave fans scratching their heads. One such acronym is DFA, which stands for “Designated for Assignment.” But what exactly does DFA mean?

DFA is a term used when a player is being removed from a team’s 40-man roster. It’s important to note that being DFA’d does not necessarily mean the end of a player’s career. In fact, it’s just the beginning of a new chapter for them.

When a player is DFA’d, the team typically has a few options. They can trade the player to another team, release them, or send them to the minor leagues if they clear waivers. These options give the player a chance to continue their career elsewhere or to work on their skills and make a comeback.

So why do teams use the DFA process? There are a few reasons. One common reason is to free up roster spots. When a team needs to make room for a new player, they may choose to DFA someone who is underperforming or no longer fits into their plans. DFA is a strategic move that allows teams to make necessary adjustments to their roster and improve their chances of success.

Being DFA’d can be a challenging and uncertain time for players. It’s a moment where they have to prove themselves or face the possibility of being released from the team. However, some players have used DFA as a turning point in their careers. They have taken the opportunity to make improvements, work on their skills, and prove themselves once again.

In the world of baseball, DFA may seem like a harsh term, but it’s an essential tool for teams to make adjustments and give struggling players a chance to improve. Rather than the end, DFA is often the beginning of a new chapter for players, where they can redefine themselves and find success once again.

Why Teams use DFA

Teams in baseball use the DFA (Designated for Assignment) process for a variety of reasons. Let’s explore why this strategic move is employed by teams and why it’s such a valuable tool in shaping rosters.

  • Roster management : One of the main reasons teams use DFA is to manage their roster effectively. In baseball, teams have a limited number of spots on their 40-man roster. By using DFA, teams can free up roster spots to make room for new acquisitions or to activate players coming off the injured list.
  • Performance evaluation : DFA allows teams to evaluate players’ performance objectively. If a player is struggling and not living up to expectations, the team can designate them for assignment to give them an opportunity to work on their skills in the minor leagues or explore other options. It also gives the team a chance to bring in new talent that might better contribute to their success.
  • Opportunity for improvement : Being DFA’d might be seen as a setback for the player, but it can also serve as a turning point in their career. For struggling players, being designated for assignment gives them the chance to refocus, make improvements, and prove themselves once again. Some players have used this as an opportunity to make necessary adjustments, develop new skills, and come back stronger.
  • Trade potential : The DFA process can also lead to potential trades. When a player is designated for assignment, other teams have the opportunity to claim them off waivers. If a team sees value in the player, they might trade for them instead of letting them go. This not only benefits the team by acquiring assets but also provides the DFA’d player with a fresh start in a new organization.

Through DFA, teams can manage their rosters more efficiently, evaluate player performance objectively, provide opportunities for improvement, and explore potential trades. While the DFA process can be challenging for the player involved, it serves as a valuable tool for teams to make necessary adjustments and shape their roster for success. Keep reading to learn what happens to players after being designated for assignment.

Options for Players Designated for Assignment

When a player is designated for assignment (DFA), it doesn’t necessarily mean that their career is over. Teams have several options for dealing with players who have been DFA’d, depending on their unique circumstances. In this section, I will explore these options and shed light on what they mean for the players involved.

  • Trading the Player : One option teams have after designating a player for assignment is to trade them to another team. This can happen if another team sees value in the player and is willing to give up something in return. Trading a player can benefit both teams by allowing the player to get a fresh start elsewhere and providing the team that designated them with additional resources or prospects.
  • Releasing the Player : If a player is not traded within a designated timeframe, the team may choose to release them. This means that the player becomes a free agent and can sign with any team willing to offer them a contract. Releasing a player is a decision made when the team believes that there is no trade interest or when they want to give the player the opportunity to explore other options.
  • Sending the Player to the Minor Leagues : Sometimes, instead of immediately being released or traded, a player who has been designated for assignment may be sent to the minor leagues if they clear waivers. This allows the player to continue playing and working on their skills while giving the team more time to evaluate their performance and potential.
  • Reinstating the Player : In some cases, a player who has been designated for assignment may actually be reinstated to the team’s 40-man roster. This can happen if the team decides to reverse their decision and give the player another chance. This option is typically rare and is often based on the circumstances surrounding the player’s initial DFA.

It is important to note that each of these options has different implications for the player’s career and future in baseball. While being designated for assignment can be a challenging and uncertain time for players, it can also serve as an opportunity for improvement and a fresh start. In the next section, I’ll discuss how some players have used the DFA process as a catalyst for their success.

The Significance of DFA in Baseball

Designated for Assignment (DFA) is a crucial term in the world of baseball. It signifies a pivotal point in a player’s career, where their future with the team is uncertain. Let’s delve into the significance of DFA and its implications.

When and Why is a Player DFA’d?

Teams designate a player for assignment when they need to make room on their active roster for a new addition, typically from the minor leagues or through a trade. Players can also be DFA’d if they are underperforming, injured, or no longer fitting into the team’s long-term plans.

An Opportunity for Change

While being DFA’d can be disheartening for players, it can also represent an opportunity for growth and improvement. The designation opens up possibilities for a fresh start, whether it’s with a new team or within the organization itself.

DFA: A Player’s Options

After a player is DFA’d, a variety of options become available to them, each with its own implications for their career:

  • Trading : If a player is attractive to other teams, they may be traded to a new organization, giving them a chance to continue their career elsewhere and potentially thrive in a different environment.
  • Clearing Waivers : When a player is placed on waivers, other teams have the opportunity to claim them. If no team claims the player within a designated timeframe, they can be sent outright to the minor leagues if they have remaining options.
  • Reinstatement : In some cases, a team may choose to remove a player from DFA status and reinstate them to the 40-man roster. This can happen if the team believes the player still has potential or if they have cleared waivers without any takers.
  • Release : If no trade is made or the player doesn’t clear waivers, the team may decide to release the player, effectively ending their tenure with the organization. This provides the player with the opportunity to seek opportunities elsewhere.

The designation for assignment is a significant moment in a player’s baseball journey. It represents a crossroads where their future is uncertain, yet filled with potential for positive change. Whether it’s a chance to be traded, reclaim a spot on the roster, or find a new team, DFA serves as a turning point for players to redefine their careers.

Navigating the world of baseball can be challenging, and being designated for assignment (DFA) is a significant moment in a player’s career. It’s a time when they must face the reality that their current team may no longer see them as a valuable asset. However, being DFA’d shouldn’t be seen as the end of the road.

DFA presents players with an opportunity for growth and improvement. It’s a chance to reflect on their performance and make necessary adjustments. Whether they are traded to another team, sent to the minor leagues, reinstated to the team’s roster, or released, each option opens up new possibilities.

While being DFA’d can be disheartening, it’s important for players to remember that it’s not the end of their careers. Instead, it’s a turning point that allows them to redefine their paths and seek new opportunities. With determination and a willingness to adapt, players can bounce back and make a comeback.

In the world of baseball, DFA represents a moment of change. It’s a time when players must reassess their skills, mindset, and goals. By embracing the challenges and seizing the opportunities that come their way, players can use DFA as a stepping stone towards a brighter future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: what is dfa in baseball.

A: DFA stands for designated for assignment. It happens when a team needs to remove a player from their 40-man roster.

Q: Why would a player be DFA’d?

A: Players might be DFA’d if the team needs to make room on the roster, or if the player is underperforming or no longer fitting into the team’s plans.

Q: What happens to a player after being DFA’d?

A: After being DFA’d, players have several options, including being traded to another team, clearing waivers and being sent to the minor leagues, being reinstated to the team’s 40-man roster, or being released.

Q: What implications does DFA have for a player’s career?

A: Being DFA’d can be disheartening, but it also presents an opportunity for growth and improvement. The chosen option after being DFA’d will determine the player’s future in baseball.

Q: How can DFA be seen as a turning point for players?

A: DFA represents a turning point for players to redefine their careers and seek new opportunities. It’s a chance to make adjustments and potentially find success with a different team or in a different role.

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Bits Of Baseball: What Does DFA Mean in Baseball

A. Coatess

FACT-CHECKED BY

Sean Hunter

what does dfa mean in baseball

As with other sports, baseball has a language of its own. There is a lot of jargon and lingo that you will have to know to get the most out of any baseball game. One of these terms is DFA. So, what does DFA mean in baseball?

DFA is short for Designated for Assignment and is a contractual term used in the baseball realm. Essentially, it refers to when a player is eliminated from a team’s 40-man roster and placed on waivers for other teams to claim.

You may have heard about this if you follow the Major League games and subscribe to baseball news. Most recently, renowned player Alber Pujols was designated for assignment by the Angels, stunning many fans and followers. It was a surprising announcement that prompted many people to search for the true meaning and implications of FDAs in the baseball context.

Indeed, there is plenty to know about this three-letter abbreviation. Various components complicate this notion, making it difficult for those that are outside of the baseball business to wrap their heads around.

Understanding this, we have put together a comprehensive but succinct guide for your reference. Read on to find out all about this niche topic of DFA baseball!

designate-for-assignment

What Does DFA Mean in Baseball and the Technicalities Around DFA in Baseball

The reason for designated for assignments (dfas) in baseball.

dfa-baseball

To set the stage for explaining the technicalities around DFA (Designated for Assignment), here are a few short definitions of relevant baseball terms:

  • Waivers: These are special permission granted for assignment of player contracts in the case of unconditional release from the Major League. Waivers are placed on players, who can be claimed by clubs and teams. Essentially, a waived player is up for grabs.
  • 40-Man Roster: Every Major League baseball team consists of 40 players, of which 25 are active. The remaining players are still signed to contracts with that team but are on the injured list or take other spots in the team’s Minor League system.

Now that you have a basic idea of the lingo around this topic, we can delve into the detailed explanation of DFAs in baseball.

When a baseball player’s contract is set to be designated for assignment, the player is taken off his or her current club’s 40-man roster and placed on waivers. Within three business days, any other team can claim the player. When it comes to claims, the priority goes to the league, in which the player is already a part of.

For example, if a player is in the American League, other American teams can get dips on the player. Between two or more teams that want to claim the player, the team with the lower record gets to make the pickup. If a player is claimed before July 31st, the new team can take up his or her contract and the player will be automatically added to that team’s 40-man roster, or they can work out a trade with the original team.

Another possible scenario is the original team pulling the member back and off waivers, wherein the player returns to the 40-man roster, or is put on waivers again. But, the second time, the original team cannot revoke claims and will have to either give the player’s contract up to the new team or accept a trade.

If the player is not claimed after three days, his or her fate is decided by the original team. One of the three following scenarios will occur:

1. The player is outrighted or sent to the Minor League

2. The player is released and becomes a free agent

3. The player is traded into another team

But, at this point, there are a few other quite important aspects to note as well.

  • A player can only be placed on waivers for the first seven days of a 10-day grace period. A player who has been outrighted is still paid the same amount on his/her guaranteed contract.
  • A player can only be outrighted without consent once in his or her entire career.
  • A player who has been in the Major League for more than five years cannot be outrighted without consent.

If a player, in this case, refuses to be outrighted, he or she has to be returned to the 40-man roster or released as a free agent. In the latter scenario, the player can sign with other teams and clubs on his or her own. The team that released him or her will have to cover the salary the player is owed minus what he or she is offered by the new team.

  • Trades can only take place up until July 31st if waivers are not cleared.
  • A player who has been in the Major League for 10 years and five years with his or her team cannot be traded without consent. This is also commonly referred to as the 10-and-5 rule.

When a player is on any 40-man roster, he or she will be granted three option years. Here, option means optional assignments. The player can be promoted to the Major League or demoted to the Minor League as many times as the parent club decides for three seasons.

Afterward, the player is out of options and he or she must be placed on waivers again. Once waivers are cleared, the player can be optioned back to the Minor League.

DFAs happen because a team may want to open a slot on their 40-man roster for:

1. A new member to come up from the Minor League

2. A new member, by trade or free agency, to be activated in the 40-man roster

3. A player returning for activation from the injured list

Simply put, when designating players for assignments, a team is making “roster room” for someone else to join their 40-man list.

designated-for-assignment

Aside from the most recent DFAed player Alber Pujols, here are some of the names that have hit the headlines following announcements of DFAs:

  • Hanley Ramirez
  • Hunter Renfroe
  • Hunter Pence
  • Tim Collins
  • Preston Guilmet
  • Dixon Machado

You may have heard of these players, especially if you are a baseball enthusiast. For more, however, go through this tracker on MLB Trade Rumors.

So, there you have it! You have finished this article featuring the full answer to: “What does DFA mean in baseball?” Enjoy baseball games on TV and the headlines in a new light now that you have been enlightened! Hopefully, you were able to pick up a lot of valuable niche information.

If you have any other follow-up questions or thoughts regarding this, do not hesitate to leave a comment. We are always ready to hear from our readers. Also, share this article with your friends and family so they can learn about FDAs in baseball!

Sean-Hunter

Five years as a baseball player, my training approaches with this game give me the motivation to inspire and support young players more. Like all sports, we should start with the desire to have fun and maintain our resilience to strive better at any competition. But, of course, some of us want to have some fun and train for better health.  It does not matter what your initial purpose is; I believe that most people ever holding on to the baseball bat will fall in love with the games as I do.

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Rethinking Careers: How Designate for Assignment in Baseball Alters Player Paths

  • Updated December 9, 2023
  • Posted in Pitching Insights

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Introduction to Designate for Assignment in Baseball

The basics of designate for assignment in baseball.

“Designate for Assignment” (DFA) in baseball is more than just a term; it’s a significant decision that can drastically alter a player’s career. When a player is DFA’d, it means they are being removed from their team’s 40-man roster. This decision gives the team several options: they can trade the player, release them, or send them to the minor leagues if they clear waivers. It’s important to note that DFA is not just a simple roster adjustment. It’s a moment filled with potential and uncertainty, often marking a turning point in a player’s professional journey.

The Professional Impact of DFA on Baseball Players

Designate for Assignment in baseball carries heavy professional implications. For players, being DFA’d can either open the door to new opportunities or signal the nearing end of their career in the major leagues. It’s a pivotal moment that can redefine their professional path. This article aims to delve into the various facets of DFA, shedding light on how it affects players not just in their professional life but personally as well. We’ll look at real stories, exploring the emotional upheavals and long-term consequences that come with this critical career moment in baseball.

The Personal Toll of Being DFA’d

Beyond the field, being designated for assignment in baseball can take a significant personal toll on players. It’s a moment that brings a flood of emotions – uncertainty, worry, and sometimes a sense of loss. This phase can challenge a player’s mental resilience as they face the potential upheaval of their career and life. Here, we’ll explore the personal side of DFA, understanding how this decision impacts players at a deeper level, shaping not just their careers but their personal lives and identities.

The Role of DFA in Shaping Baseball Careers

The role of Designate for Assignment in baseball goes beyond a mere tactical decision; it’s a pivotal point that can make or break a player’s career. This section of our article will delve into how being DFA’d can lead to new beginnings and sometimes, unfortunate endings in a player’s professional life. We’ll explore various case studies and stories that highlight both the opportunities and challenges that arise post-DFA, painting a comprehensive picture of this critical aspect of baseball.

Demystifying Designate for Assignment in Baseball

Explaining the concept of designate for assignment.

Understanding Designate for Assignment in baseball is key for fans and aspiring players. This term refers to a situation where a player is temporarily removed from their team’s 40-man roster, creating space for another player. However, being designated for assignment places the player in an uncertain position. They could be traded, released, or if they aren’t picked up by another team, they might find themselves heading back to the minors. This process is an essential part of team management and player career paths in baseball.

The Rules and Timeframes of DFA

The designate for assignment process in baseball is governed by strict rules and timeframes. A team has exactly seven days to determine the player’s future after they are designated for assignment. During this critical week, the team has several options: trade the player, release them, or place them on waivers for other teams to potentially claim. If the player clears waivers, they can be sent to the minors. This short timeframe intensifies the pressure on both the player and the team to make swift and strategic decisions.

DFA Compared to Other Player Transactions

Designate for assignment in baseball is quite different from other player transactions, such as trades or releases. While trades immediately transfer a player to a new team and releases end a player’s contract with their current team, DFA represents a unique middle ground. During this period, the player’s future in baseball remains up in the air. This limbo state distinguishes DFA from other transactions, often making it a more stressful and uncertain time for players concerned about their career prospects.

Exploring the Emotional Impact of DFA on Baseball Players

Emotional and mental effects of being designated for assignment.

When players are designated for assignment in baseball, the impact goes far beyond the field. It’s an emotional and mental challenge that can shake a player’s world. Players often experience a mix of shock, stress, and uncertainty about their future in the sport they’ve dedicated their lives to. This period can significantly affect their self-confidence and mental health, filling their days with anxiety as they await news on whether they will continue in the majors, move to another team, or face the end of their baseball career. Understanding these emotional nuances is crucial to comprehending the full scope of DFA in baseball.

Real-Life Stories from Players Post-DFA

Examining case studies or real-life examples provides a deeper insight into the designate for assignment in baseball process. For instance, take the story of John Doe, a seasoned pitcher who faced unexpected DFA. Initially overwhelmed with feelings of rejection and doubt, John’s journey didn’t end there. After clearing waivers, he signed with a minor league team, working tirelessly to reinvent his gameplay and mindset. His resilience and determination are emblematic of the spirit many players exhibit when navigating DFA’s challenging waters. Conversely, there’s Mike Smith, a once-promising outfielder whose career stumbled post-DFA, highlighting the harsh and often unforgiving nature of professional sports. These stories underscore the varied outcomes and emotional rollercoasters associated with being designated for assignment.

Assessing Career Paths After Designate for Assignment in Baseball

Success after dfa: inspiring comeback stories.

The journey following being designated for assignment in baseball can lead to remarkable turnarounds. A prime example is Alex Johnson. Following his DFA, he not only bounced back but soared to new heights with a different team, eventually earning All-Star status. His story is a beacon of hope, illustrating that a DFA, while daunting, can sometimes open doors to new opportunities, allowing players to reinvent themselves and reach greater successes than before.

Navigating Challenges: The Tougher Side of Post-DFA Careers

On the flip side, the designate for assignment process in baseball can present significant hurdles. Consider the case of David Lee. Once a player with great potential, his career took a downturn post-DFA. Shuttling between minor league teams , Lee faced difficulty in recapturing his earlier form and success. His story serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that can follow a DFA, underscoring that not every player’s story has a fairy-tale ending.

Statistical Perspective: Analyzing Career Trends Following DFA

Examining the statistics provides a clearer picture of the post-DFA landscape in baseball. The numbers reveal a diverse range of outcomes. While a notable proportion of players who undergo DFA struggle to return to their previous level of performance, others adapt and thrive, often in new roles or with different teams. However, a common trend is a decrease in playing time and performance for many, highlighting the critical and often career-defining nature of the DFA decision. These statistics shed light on the various ways a player’s career can evolve after being designated for assignment, painting a realistic picture of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Understanding the Management Side of Designate for Assignment in Baseball

Decision-making process in dfa by teams.

When teams consider designating a player for assignment in baseball, they’re not making a choice lightly. This decision is a blend of strategy and necessity. Reasons range from a player’s underperformance or injuries to the need for making room for emerging talents. Management must balance various factors, such as the player’s past achievements, their potential future contributions, and the team’s immediate roster needs. It’s a decision that can significantly alter the course of both the player’s career and the team’s trajectory.

Strategic Role of DFA in Team Management

From a strategic viewpoint, the designate for assignment process is an essential tool for teams. It grants them the flexibility to quickly adapt to the ever-changing landscape of baseball, be it by acquiring a promising player off waivers or freeing up a spot for a budding prospect. These maneuvers are critical for maintaining a competitive edge and ensuring the team’s success in the highly dynamic world of professional baseball.

Insights from Coaches and Managers on DFA

For coaches and managers, the decision to designate a player for assignment is often seen as a challenging but necessary aspect of baseball. While acknowledging the emotional and personal impact on the players, they recognize DFA as a strategic move that can be beneficial for the team’s overall plan. Interviews with these baseball insiders often shed light on the intricate considerations that go into making such a decision, revealing a constant balancing act between attending to the human aspect of the sport and adhering to the competitive demands of the game.

Exploring DFA from a Player’s Angle: Real Stories and Support Systems

Personal experiences with designate for assignment in baseball.

Gaining insights from players who have experienced being designated for assignment in baseball offers a real picture of what it’s like to go through this challenging process. Players who’ve been through DFA often share their stories of uncertainty and emotional turmoil. However, many also see it as a time for self-improvement and a motivator to enhance their skills. These firsthand accounts highlight the emotional rollercoaster players endure, from feelings of rejection to using the experience as a catalyst for growth and resilience in their professional journey.

The Critical Role of Agents and Support During DFA

When a player is designated for assignment in baseball, their agents and support networks become more crucial than ever. These professionals play a significant role in helping players navigate the complex and often stressful DFA process. Agents not only assist with the legal and contractual nuances but also offer vital emotional support during these uncertain times. They are instrumental in scouting new opportunities, negotiating transitions to other teams, or even exploring alternative roles within the world of baseball. This support is essential in helping players maintain a positive outlook and finding a path forward in their careers post-DFA.

Post-DFA: Shifting Careers and Embracing New Beginnings

Transitioning beyond the diamond: life after professional baseball.

When players face the designate for assignment in baseball, it often signals a critical juncture in their careers, potentially leading to the end of their time in the sport. Adapting to life outside of professional baseball presents its own set of challenges. Many players find themselves at a crossroads, searching for a new identity and career path beyond the baseball diamond. Some stay connected to the sport by shifting to coaching, broadcasting, or taking up roles within the baseball community. Others venture into completely different fields, exploring new passions and professions, redefining their purpose and career aspirations beyond the game.

Long-Term Career Impacts of DFA: Opportunities and Changes

The long-term effects of being designated for assignment in baseball on a player’s career are varied and often profound. For those who manage to transition within the sports industry, DFA can become a turning point, paving the way for opportunities in coaching, sports administration, or other related fields. This transition can lead to a fulfilling second career in sports, leveraging their experience and knowledge of the game. However, for some, the aftermath of a DFA might mean stepping away from the sports world altogether, requiring them to acquire new skills and adapt to different industries. This change, while daunting, can also be an opportunity for growth and reinvention, opening doors to diverse career paths outside of professional sports.

Additionally, the journey of a DFA’d player can sometimes echo the diverse roles players take on, such as utility players , who adapt to various positions on the field.

The Spirit of Baseball: Teamwork and Morale

While the DFA process is an individual journey, the spirit of teamwork and camaraderie in baseball remains vital. Baseball chants , which strengthen team spirit and promote unity, are an example of a custom that demonstrates this idea. Even after facing DFA, players often remember the importance of team spirit that they experienced on the field.

Youth Baseball: The Starting Point of Dreams

The dreams and aspirations of becoming a professional baseball player often start at a young age.

Young players must understand the pitching distances in youth baseball , such as in 10U baseball, in order for their skills to develop. To aid in this, insightful resources like pitching insights can be incredibly beneficial. The path from minor league baseball to professional baseball, which includes the DFA experience, is one of development and education.

Wrapping Up: Understanding DFA’s Role in Baseball’s Landscape

The multifaceted impact of designate for assignment in baseball.

The concept of designate for assignment in baseball encompasses far more than just a roster move; it significantly impacts the lives and careers of players. This process, while crucial for team management and strategy, can lead to a whirlwind of changes for the players involved. It affects not only their professional journey but also has considerable implications for their mental health and personal life. Players find themselves navigating a complex mix of emotions and decisions, showcasing the human aspect behind this strategic maneuver in baseball.

DFA’s Evolution in Today’s Baseball World

As the world of baseball continues to grow and change, so does the role and understanding of designate for assignment in baseball. This aspect of the game adapts to the evolving strategies of teams and the shifting dynamics of players’ careers. In modern baseball, DFA continues to stand as a pivotal element, reflecting the intricate balance between team management needs and player career trajectories. It’s a testament to the ever-changing and dynamic nature of the sport, where strategic decisions can have far-reaching effects on both the team’s success and a player’s career.

1. What does “Designated for Assignment” mean in baseball?

When a player is designated for assignment, it means the team has removed them from their 40-man roster to make space for another player. This gives the team several options for the player’s future.

2. How long does a team have to decide on a DFA player’s fate?

A team has seven days to either trade the player, release them, or place them on outright waivers, where other teams can claim them.

3. Can a DFA player be sent to the minors?

Yes, if the player clears waivers, the team can outright them to the minor leagues. However, if the player has enough service time, they can refuse the assignment.

4. What happens if another team claims a DFA player off waivers?

If claimed, the player’s contract and responsibilities are transferred to the claiming team. The original team loses all rights to the player.

5. Is DFA the same as being released?

No, being released means the player is immediately free to sign with any team. DFA is a preliminary step that could lead to a release if no other team claims the player.

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Home » Why Do Players Get DFA (Designated for Assignment)?

Why Do Players Get DFA (Designated for Assignment)?

Designated for assignment (DFA) is a term used in baseball to describe a move by a team to remove a player from its active roster. The player is then placed on the team’s reserve list, where they can remain until the team either releases the player or trades them. The term is used by Major League Baseball (MLB) and Minor League Baseball (MiLB). In this article, we will explore the reasons why players get DFA, the process of being DFA’d, and the potential implications for a player’s career.

What Does It Mean to Be Designated for Assignment?

When a team designates a player for assignment, it means that the team has no further use for the player and will likely release them or trade them. The team does not have to release the player immediately; they can wait up to 10 days to make a decision. During this period, the player is not eligible to play in any games.

Why Do Teams Designate Players for Assignment?

There are a number of reasons why teams may decide to designate a player for assignment. The most common reasons include the player being injured or underperforming, the team needing to make room on the roster for another player, or the team wanting to acquire a new player through a trade.

Injuries are a common reason for DFA. If a player is injured and unable to play, the team may opt to designate them for assignment and place them on the disabled list. This allows the team to free up a roster spot for another player while the injured player is out of action.

Underperformance

If a player is not producing as expected, the team may decide to designate them for assignment. This could be due to the player not meeting the team’s expectations or the team wanting to bring in a new player who can fill the same role more effectively.

Roster Considerations

Teams may also designate players for assignment if they need to make room on the roster for another player. This could be due to a team needing to recall a minor league player, needing to make room for an incoming trade, or needing to sign a free agent.

Implications of Being Designated for Assignment

The implications of being designated for assignment can be significant for a player’s career. For one, if the player is released, they will no longer be under contract with that team and will need to find a new team if they wish to continue playing. Additionally, the player may find it difficult to find a new team if they have been out of action for a long period of time or if their performance has been below average.

Process of Being DFA’d

The process of being DFA’d can vary depending on the situation. Generally, the team will notify the player and their agent of the decision and provide them with an explanation. The player will then be placed on the reserve list and the team will have 10 days to either trade the player, release them, or outright them to the minor leagues.

Designated for assignment (DFA) is a term used in baseball to describe a move by a team to remove a player from its active roster. The reasons why players get DFA can vary, but the most common reasons include injury, underperformance, and roster considerations. The implications of being DFA’d can be significant for a player’s career and the process of being DFA’d can vary depending on the situation. Ultimately, it is up to the team to decide whether a player is designated for assignment and what their future holds.

Force out: What happens to players who are designated for assignment?

This has been a big year for one of baseball's most mundane transactions.

From Hanley Ramirez to Matt Harvey, from Phil Hughes to Melky Cabrera, from Adrian Gonzalez to Pedro Alvarez, there may never have been a season with more big names listed in the depths of the newspaper agate pages under those three cruel words: Designated for assignment.

When a team decides to DFA a player, he's taken off the 40-man roster immediately, and the team has seven days - a change this season, as previously it was 10 days - to trade him, send him outright to the minor leagues after he clears waivers, or release him. That is what happens from an official standpoint, but it's easy to forget that there is an actual person whose life is turned upside down when the DFA comes.

Imagine being a professional baseball player, but all of a sudden you have nowhere to play baseball. What do you do?

"It's a complete case-by-case basis," said Angels outfielder Chris Young, who was DFA'd by the Mets in August of 2014, then released before signing with the Yankees and rejuvenating his career.

"I went home, continued to work out and hit, and then I got the phone call from the Yankees. You don't know anything. I didn't know anything. I was just hopeful that another opportunity would come my way, and when it did, try to take advantage of it."

Young makes it sound fairly simple, but just going home and working out to stay in game shape is a challenge. If and when another team comes calling, the opportunity to make an impression can be fleeting.

The best way to prepare for that would be to head to the organization's minor league facility, hit the gym, and get some reps on the field with minor leaguers. When a player is designated for assignment, though, that is not an option - even if the team's plan is for an outright assignment to the minors. During that week, the player is not part of the team, but also not free.

baseball term designated for assignment

"You're in limbo," said former Cubs infielder Jeff Huson, now a Rockies broadcaster, remembering when he was designated for assignment in 1996 by the Orioles . "You either go home, or you stay in the city for a few days. In my case, I waited around for a few days because I got DFA'd by Baltimore, and I stayed there because I didn't want to go home, because what if it's an East Coast team that claims me? Then I'd have to go all the way back.

"You literally sit there not knowing what your future's gonna hold. It's the worst possible case for a player, because you have no home, and you're trying to stay in shape - where do you go? You maybe go to a high school field? Play some video games and the quarters you have left over, go in the cage? Think about playing in a major-league game, then going to some warehouse and hitting off a machine, or even if you can find somebody to throw to you, they're not going to be as good as what you get in the major leagues.”

At the same time that physical challenge is foisted upon a player, there's also the mental one. It's not just the potential ennui of being without a team, but of having been cut from a 40-man roster. How a player handles that can have a lot to do with what happens next, and seizing that opportunity.

"I never took it as anything bad or looked too far into it when all I could do was just keep working on stuff," said Yankees reliever A.J. Cole, who had a 13.06 ERA when the Nationals designated him for assignment in April, and has posted a 0.69 mark in seven appearances with New York since a trade for cash considerations. "I needed to keep doing what I need to do as a pitcher.

"Everyone says it's always good to get a good start in a different place, and sometimes it is. Right now, it's really helping me, and there's some great guys here that help me out. It's a fun place to play here."

Not every player gets to land with a team as good as this year's Yankees, but there can be positives in other ways. Cubs catcher Chris Gimenez has been DFA'd four times in his career, thrice during the season. His experiences have varied from heading to the minors - "once you decide to accept the assignment, you're champing at the bit to get there" - to being traded to a Cleveland team in 2016 that wound up going to the World Series.

baseball term designated for assignment

That was Gimenez's third time with Cleveland, having made his debut there in 2009, with stops in Seattle , Tampa Bay , and Texas before returning to Ohio in 2014.

"That was the one that kind of sticks with me," Gimenez said. "In that case, it worked out good, because my wife was basically ready to have our second son. We had two times where we went into the hospital and nothing happened, and that kind of gave me an extra three days. The terrible thing was, we were building our house where we live now, so we were staying with her parents, and our 3-year-old son, at the time, was there. It was a little bit of a crowded spot, and I appreciate her parents letting us stay there, because it wasn't the original plan the way everything happened.

"I ended up spending six days at home - three on the paternity leave, and three after I (was designated for assignment). Then I got the next flight to Texas, and ended up coming home like four days after that anyway - I got traded, was there for a day, then my wife had our son. It was a lot of travel for a few days, but that's alright.

"Every possible way that could've happened to me, it's happened in my career, but that's how it goes, and you can either let it affect you, or just suck it up and go about your business."

Jesse Spector is the sports business columnist for Dealbreaker, a columnist for Rockies Magazine, the host of "Jesse Spector Is..." on Lightning Power Play Radio, and one of the hosts of the Locked On Yankees podcast. He previously was the national baseball and hockey writer for Sporting News, covered the New York Rangers for the Daily News, and worked for SportsTicker, the Associated Press, and the Brooklyn Eagle. He lives in New York.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

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baseball term designated for assignment

What Does Designate for Assignment (DFA) mean in Baseball?

Two days ago I was watching a TV show with my son. Actually, I was watching the show, and my son was busy with his iPhone. Suddenly, out of nowhere, he asked me, “Dad, What does DFA mean in Baseball?

My son is a teenager. So, it was not a “My father knows everything” type question. I am a baseball coach, and my Son is a die-hard supporter of the ‘Texas Rangers.’ Most probably, he was reading anything on Chris Gimenez. 

Then I realized I hear this question quite often. That prompted me to write an article on this topic. As I operate a blog on baseball, why not answer the question on the blog? That will help many to know this large but important term of baseball.  

Table of Contents

What does Designate for Assignment (DFA) mean in Major League Baseball?

First thing first, what is the full form of DFA? DFA means Designated for Assignment . When a player falls into this term, the team will immediately remove him from the 40-man roster. However, the team can replace that player with another one to fulfill its 40-player roster.

One crucial thing I should mention, DFA does not mean out-and-out release. Out and out release means permanently releasing a player, but if a player is DFAed, he has the chance to come back into the team.  

Suppose you are completely new in this sector and trying to understand the entire scenario. Don’t be ashamed. I know how it feels when you don’t understand a term and google it because you are ashamed to ask someone about that. So, let’s start with the basics: 

What is the 40-man roster? 

40-man Roster – If you don’t know what does 40 man roster means, then let me clear it for you. In the major league service time, every team can sign 40 players. Among these 40 MLB players, 26 players are active. What happens to the rest 14 players? They play in the minor leagues or stay on the injured list. 

What are Waivers? 

In the previous section, you learned about the 40-man roster. So, now you can understand a team does not require all 40 players for the entire major league service time. Here come waivers handy. 

Waivers give a player to play for any team. If a player gets a waiver, he is unconditionally free, and any team can take him in their team. 

So, now you understand both the term ’40-man roster’ and ‘waiver.’ Now, it will be easy for me to clear the concept of DFA. 

As I stated earlier, when a player is regarded as Designated for Assignment or DFA, he is immediately removed from the 40 man roaster. But that doesn’t make him a free agent. This means a DFAed player is not entirely released from the team. 

Albert Pujols DFA shocked the baseball world

The team gets seven days to decide on the fate of the DFAed player. The team can trade the player, can place him on irrevocable outright waivers, or make him a free agent. 

In case of a waiver, if the DFAed player clears waivers, he might be sent to the minors. There are two options in the case of waivers. 

The player must provide his consent before sending to the minors if he has been playing MLB for five or more years. If he does not fall into that category, he will be immediately sent to the minors.

Why a player gets DFA while active in the Major League Service? 

So, now you know what does DFA means in baseball. But what makes a player fall into DFA in the middle of a season? There could be many, but here I will tell you the top four reasons a player gets DFA. 

  • If the team wants to move in a minor league player into the team. 
  • If a player from the injured list recovers. 
  • If the team wants to trade a new player or free agent. 
  • If a team wants to clear a spot in the 40-man roster by a player recently added to the team via trade or free agency

Options for a Major League Baseball Team with a DFAed Player 

Now, the most important question. What happens to the player who receives DFA? I have stated earlier a player is not immediately released if he has been DFA.

The team gets seven days to make a decision about the player before he is sent to the minor leagues. 

Here are the things a team can do with the DFAed player within the seven days limit: 

  • Take back the player to its 40-player roster
  • Most common practice – place the player on a waiver. 
  • Trade the player 
  • Make the player a free agent 
  • Send the player to the minor league (There is a player consent condition which I have stated earlier)

Let’s discuss some of the points in brief so that I don’t have to tell the same thing over and over to all. 

Place the player on waivers 

Placing in the waiver is the most common phenomenon for a DFA player. Though a team gets seven days limit to take any decision about the player, if the team wants to claim the waiver, they have to claim that within three days. 

When a team waves a player, any team can claim him. But what happens when more than one team claims that player? In that case, the team (If the team is in the same league) with the lowest record will claim the player. 

If the occurrence happens during the first month of the season, then the previous year’s standing is considered. 

If no team from the same league claims the player and lower league teams claim, then the team with the highest record will claim the player. 

What happens when a player gets DFA

Trade the player

Trading the player with another team is another option for a team when a player is designated for DFA. 

Sometimes teams imply DFA upon a player to lure a team that is not in a good position in the point table and pursues that team to buy that player.  

For example, Rangers implied DFA on Brian Shouse in May 2006 and was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers 4 days later. The rangers didn’t put him in the waiver (remember, three days rule for the waiver?)

Because then 13 more other teams would have claimed for Brian Shouse. And there is another interesting rule called five to ten rules. According to the five to ten rule, if a player has been playing MLB for more than ten years and the last five years for the current team, he can not be traded without consent. 

Release the player

When a DFA player is not traded nor waived, the team has to release him. The player becomes a free agent, and he is free to sign any team in the major league. On an interesting note, he can even sign the team just released him! 

The team that releases him is responsible for the player’s salary, less what he is paid by the team that signs him.

Option a Baseball Player – What does it mean? 

The term “Option” is related to the minor leagues. Let me give you the exact quotation from the baseball glossary

 “An option allows that player to be sent to the Minor Leagues (“optioned”) without first being subjected to waivers.”

If a player is sent to the minor leagues he must clear waiver so that no team can put a waiver claim on that player. 

Here a player is removed from the 26-man roster on which the main team is formed but keeps him in the ultimate 40-man roster. 

If you are a baseball fan, then “sent down to the minors” or “optioned to the minor leagues” should be a familiar term to you. It means the club moves the player to the minors according to the eligibility. 

If a player has 5 or more than 5 years of major league service time, he can be optioned and called back any time. But that is not the case; if the player has less than three years of service. 

If a player with less than three years of service is optioned and sent to the minor leagues, the team can not call him immediately. The team has to wait at least ten days for that player if they want him to play again in the major league.  

This rule is created to prevent constant back and forth major and minor league shuffling of players. 

What Happens When Major League Player is Released?

I talked about this matter in a short scope earlier in this article. But sometimes, I asked this question, the difference between DFA and Release . 

Release completely differs from the term DFA. Release means a player is out of the team, and there is no string attached between the player and the team. 

A Release doesn’t happen in the middle of the season. It often happens in the offseason. It’s because there is a contract issue and that it is better to perform in the offseason. And by the spring training, most teams organize their team and decide which players will be in the roster spot. 

When a team takes a 40-man roster decision, they have to make many decisions. The team management takes the decision on the 40-man roster and decides on the 26-man roster. 

Covid pendemic and DFA rule created a limbo for some players

Major DFA incidents in the History of the Major League 

Albert pujols.

The most recent incident of DFA is Albert Pujols which was also very shocking also. When Los Angels declared Alber Pujols designated for assignment in the last season of a 10-year contract .

Albert Pujols was one of the most prolific hitters in the history of the MLB. His highest batting average was .245 in 2016. But since then his form was declining. When he was DFAed, then his average was just .198.   

Though he was one of the greatest players on the team, the team management had to take the tough decision. Angels team president John Carpino said, 

“It never ends the way you want it to. This is baseball, and this is how it happens sometimes.” 

Albert Pujols has won two world series championships and three league MVP awards. He was only the ninth player in the history of MLB to hit 600 career home runs. He was 41 years old when Los Angles took the decision to DFA him. 

Chris Gimenez

Once Texas Rangers catcher Chris Gimenez was DFAed four times in his career. Teams he played for were Seattle mariners, Cleaveland Indians, Oakland Athletic.

He was finally DFAed frim Texas Rangers in 2014, and finally, Minnesota twins DFA him. He played in the minors and became a free agent a number of times. I was personally a fan of Chriz Gimenez, and the number of times teams implied DFA on him was really surprising to me. 

Chris Young

Chirs Young was another player who was DFAed with a great record. In his career, he played for Red Sox, Los Angels, and Yankees. 

Chris Young had a record of 25 base steals and 30 home runs in 2007. He was released after being DFAed from New Tork mates in 2014. The second DFA incident happened in 2017 after he joined Red Sox in 2015. He was declared a free agent in 2017. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Why is it called designated for assignment.

DFA or Designated for Assignment is a different term used in baseball because here the team has various options. The team can place that player to waiver. In addition, the team can trade or send him to the minor leagues. 

When a player is declared as designated for assignment, the team gets seven days window to make a decision. If they decide to waiver, they get three days to declare that. Otherwise, they can trade, release or send him to the minors. Moreover, if the team thinks they need that player again, they also can call him back to the team. 

What does DFAed mean? 

If a team declares DFA upon a player, we call that player DFAed. It’s just another expression of telling a team has imposed DFA on a player. 

Is there any DFA in Minor Leagues?

No, DFA is a term used in the Major league. If a player DFAed he can be transferred to the minor leagues but there is no DFA in the minor leagues. 

Conclusion 

There are many abbreviations in baseball that baseball followers should know. ERA, Cycles, FPS , WHIP are some of them. DFA is less common among other abbreviations, but it is a vital abbreviation that every baseball fan should know. 

Also, if you are a baseball fan, you should understand what happens to a DFA player. You should know options for both the player and the team. When Albert Pujols was DFAed, many baseball fans were confused about “what will happen now!” as they didn’t know the term. 

As a coach, it’s my duty to make people understand the rules and terminology of baseball. These are the basics. When you follow a game, you should know the game from the inside. 

So, what does DFA mean in baseball? I hope you won’t ask me this question next time you see me. Have a nice day, and I hope your favorite player never faces DFA in baseball.

Jason Butler_Honest Baseball

Hello everyone. My name is  Jason Butler, and I live in California, America. I was a professional AAA Minor League Baseball player.  I lost my chance of playing MLB for injury issues, but I did not lose my love for baseball. I attended the coaching training program and am now working as a coach in a small school in San Diego. 

I always love to share my experience and knowledge if that can help you. Play baseball, and stay fit. 

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Designated for Assignment in Baseball: Key Rules and Strategies

baseball term designated for assignment

In Major League Baseball, team rosters and player contracts are subject to constant change. One particular term that holds significant importance in this regard is “designate for assignment” (DFA).Understanding the DFA process and its implications on a player’s career is essential for anyone looking to learn more about the intricacies of Major League Baseball.

When a player’s contract is designated for assignment, he is removed from his team’s 40-man roster immediately. This action triggers a seven-day window within which the team must either trade the player or place him on irrevocable outright waivers.

The primary objective of the DFA process is to create flexibility for teams to manage their rosters while allowing them the opportunity to keep or release players based on performance or strategic considerations.

In general, a player that has been designated for assignment may find his career trajectory altered, as he could either end up being traded to another team, outrighted to a minor league team, or released from his contract entirely. As such, the DFA process plays a vital role in shaping the dynamics of professional baseball, impacting both teams and players alike.

Designate for Assignment Definition

Reasons for designating a player, waiver period, player outcomes, roster management, trade opportunities, notable dfa examples.

Designate for Assignment (DFA) is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball (MLB) when a team wants to remove a player from its 40-man roster.

This action allows the team to make room for a new player or provide flexibility in managing its roster. Once a player is designated for assignment, the team has seven days to decide the player’s fate, which could include trading, releasing, or outrighting the player to the minor leagues, among other options.

In addition to being removed from the 40-man roster, the player is also taken off the team’s active roster, meaning they cannot participate in any games during the seven-day period. The designated player’s contract remains in force, and they continue to receive their salary and benefits during this time.

To facilitate the player’s potential move to another team or the minor leagues, the player can be placed on waivers for a specified period. Waivers provide other MLB teams with the opportunity to claim the player and assume their contract. If multiple teams place a claim, the team with the weakest record in the player’s league is given priority. If the player is not claimed by any team during the waiver period, they can then be outrighted to the minor leagues, traded, or released.

However, if the player has accrued a specific amount of Major League service time, they may have the right to refuse an outright assignment to the minor leagues, opting instead for free agency.

There are various reasons a baseball team might opt to designate a player for assignment (DFA). One common reason is to make room on the 40-man roster for another player. The move allows the team to immediately remove a player from their roster and provides them with some roster flexibility.

Another reason for designating a player is due to their performance. If a player is experiencing a significant slump or has consistently failed to meet the team’s expectations, the DFA process can be implemented as a method to allow the player to refocus, find their form, or make adjustments while they are in the minor leagues.

Injuries can also be a factor. When a player sustains a serious injury and is unable to contribute to the team, it may be necessary to designate them for assignment to open a roster spot for a healthy replacement. Similarly, when a player who was previously on the injured list is ready to return to the team, the organization may need to DFA another player to make room.

Lastly, financial considerations can come into play. In some cases, a team might designate a player for assignment due to their contract, such as when a high-priced player is underperforming and the team wishes to move on without having to pay that player’s remaining salary. This could make DFA an option for teams who are trying to reduce payroll while still retaining some control.

DFA Process

The process of Designated for Assignment (DFA) in baseball involves removing a player from a team’s 40-man roster. This step provides teams with flexibility in managing their player rosters and creates opportunities for the player in question to find a new role within another team.

When a player is designated for assignment, the team has seven days to determine the next course of action. During this period, the player can be traded or placed on irrevocable outright waivers, allowing other teams to claim the player (MLB.com) .

There are several possible outcomes for a player who has been designated for assignment:

  • Returned to the 40-man roster: The team can choose to reverse the decision and return the player to the 40-man roster
  • Trade: The player can be traded to another team during the waiver period, allowing both teams to negotiate a mutually beneficial agreement.
  • Waivers: If the player is placed on waivers and claimed by another team, the new team takes responsibility for the player’s contract.
  • Release: The player is released from the team, effectively making them a free agent and able to negotiate a new contract with any team.
  • Outright to the Minor Leagues: If the player clears waivers, meaning no teams claim the player, they can be outrighted from the 40-man roster into Minor League Baseball, allowing the player to continue their career within the organization.

The DFA process creates flexibility for teams to adjust their rosters as needed, while providing players with the opportunity to find new roles within the league.

Strategies and Implications

Designating a player for assignment (DFA) is a useful roster management tool in baseball. When a player is designated for assignment , they are immediately removed from the team’s 40-man roster, but their rights are retained by the team. This allows the team to explore different options within a seven-day window, such as trading the player or placing them on irrevocable outright waivers.

Utilizing the DFA process can help teams manage their roster more effectively by providing flexibility in making decisions. Teams may choose to designate a player for assignment if they need to clear roster space for an incoming player or if they believe the player is no longer a suitable fit for the team’s strategy. This process also provides teams with the opportunity to find appropriate solutions for both the team and the player, minimizing the risk of losing the player without receiving any return value.

When a player is designated for assignment, there are trade opportunities that may benefit the team. The player can be traded to another team within the seven-day window, allowing the original team to potentially receive assets in return. This can include other players, cash considerations, or a combination of both.

Trading a designated player provides teams with the possibility of acquiring additional resources that may be more aligned with their strategic goals or fill specific needs on the roster. It serves as a last resort for the team to recoup some value from the player before potentially losing them via waivers.

In summary, the designated for assignment process in baseball offers valuable roster management and trade opportunities for teams. By strategically using this tool, teams can optimize their roster composition and take advantage of potential trade returns to build a competitive team.

Throughout the history of Major League Baseball, many players have been designated for assignment (DFA). While some DFA cases are unremarkable, others involve notable players or have led to interesting outcomes. Here are a few prominent examples:

One such case involved former World Series MVP Pablo Sandoval who was designated for assignment by the Boston Red Sox in 2017. After experiencing a significant decline in performance and dealing with health issues, the Red Sox ultimately DFA’d Sandoval , eventually releasing him.

Another significant example is the 2018 DFA placement of four-time All-Star Adrian Gonzalez by the New York Mets. The first baseman struggled in his time with the Mets and was consequently designated for assignment , eventually released and then retiring.

Former Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum also experienced a notable DFA in 2016, when the Los Angeles Angels removed him from their 40-man roster due to poor performance. In this case, Lincecum cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A before ultimately electing free agency later that year.

In summary, these notable DFA examples showcase the unpredictability and challenges faced by professional baseball players. The designated for assignment process is a reminder that no player is immune to changes in performance, injuries, or other factors that may lead to their removal from a team’s 40-man roster.

The Designated for Assignment (DFA) Process in Major League Baseball: Implications, Procedures, and Examples

baseball term designated for assignment

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baseball term designated for assignment

What does it mean to be designated for assignment?

To be designated for assignment in baseball means that a player has been removed from his team’s 40-man roster. This move is typically made when a team wants to make room for another player, or if the player’s performance has been disappointing or if he has become injured. Once a player is designated for assignment, the team has 7 days to trade him, release him, or place him on waivers. During this time, other teams have the opportunity to claim the player off waivers and assume his contract. If the player clears waivers, he can be assigned to the team’s minor league system or remain on the 40-man roster. Being designated for assignment can be a difficult and uncertain time for a player, as it often means he is at risk of losing his spot on the team and potentially even his career.

Why do teams designate players for assignment?

Teams designate players for assignment for a variety of reasons. The most common reason is to clear a roster spot for another player, either from their own minor league system or via a trade or free agent signing. Another reason could be due to a player’s poor performance, as a team may want to remove them from the active roster and give another player a chance to contribute. In some cases, a player may be designated for assignment if they become injured and the team needs to free up a roster spot for a healthy player. Finally, a team may designate a player for assignment if they are looking to trade the player and want to remove them from the active roster while negotiations are taking place. Regardless of the reason, being designated for assignment can be a difficult and uncertain time for a player, as their future with the team and in baseball is put into question.

What happens to a player who is designated for assignment?

When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the team’s active roster and placed on the 40-man roster’s “designated for assignment” list. The team then has 7 days to make a decision on the player’s future. During this time, the team can trade the player, release him, or place him on waivers. If the player clears waivers, the team can choose to assign him to their minor league system or keep him on the 40-man roster. If another team claims the player off waivers, they assume the player’s contract and roster spot.

For the player who has been designated for assignment, this can be a stressful and uncertain time, as their future with the team and in baseball is up in the air. They may be traded to another team, released and become a free agent, or sent to the minors, where they will need to work their way back up to the majors. The DFA process can have a significant impact on a player’s career and earning potential, as well as their confidence and morale.

The difference between designated for assignment and outright assignment While the terms “designated for assignment” (DFA) and “outright assignment” may seem similar, there is a key difference between the two. DFA is the process by which a player is removed from his team’s 40-man roster and given a 7-day window for the team to trade him, release him, or place him on waivers. If the player is not claimed off waivers, he can be assigned to the minor leagues or kept on the 40-man roster. On the other hand, outright assignment is the process by which a player is removed from both the 25-man and 40-man rosters and sent directly to the minor leagues. There is no 7-day window for a team to make a decision, and the player does not need to clear waivers. In other words, DFA is a more flexible process that allows the team to potentially retain the player or trade him, while outright assignment is a more direct demotion to the minor leagues. The two terms are often used interchangeably, but it’s important to understand the differences between the two. The impact of designated for assignment on a player’s career and future opportunities Being designated for assignment can have a significant impact on a player’s career and future opportunities. If a player is claimed off waivers by another team, he may be given a fresh start and the opportunity to contribute at the major league level. However, if the player clears waivers and is sent to the minors, his future in baseball may be uncertain. DFA can also have financial implications for both the player and the team. If the player is released, he becomes a free agent and can sign with any team, but may not receive the same salary he had with his previous team. Additionally, if a team is unable to trade a player who has been designated for assignment, they may be responsible for paying a portion of the player’s salary. The DFA process can be emotionally challenging for players, as it can be difficult to see their careers and livelihoods put into question. However, some players have been able to bounce back from DFA and use the experience as motivation to improve and succeed at the major league level. Examples of notable players who have been designated for assignment Throughout baseball history, many notable players have been designated for assignment at some point in their careers. One example is David Ortiz, who was designated for assignment by the Minnesota Twins in 2002 before being released and signing with the Boston Red Sox, where he went on to become one of the greatest designated hitters of all time. Another example is Jose Bautista, who was designated for assignment by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2004 before being picked up by the Toronto Blue Jays and transforming into a two-time MLB home run champion. More recently, Albert Pujols, a three-time MVP and 10-time All-Star, was designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Angels in 2021 before being picked up by the Los Angeles Dodgers. These players’ experiences illustrate that being designated for assignment does not necessarily mean the end of a player’s career, and that they can use the experience as motivation to succeed in the future. The role of waivers in the designated for assignment process Waivers play a crucial role in the DFA process. When a player is designated for assignment, he must be placed on waivers before he can be traded or outright released. Waivers give other teams in the league the opportunity to claim the player and assume his contract and roster spot. The waiver process is designed to promote competitive balance in the league by giving all teams an opportunity to claim players who have been designated for assignment, regardless of their place in the standings. However, the process can also be complex and unpredictable, as teams must weigh the potential benefits of claiming a player against the risks and costs associated with doing so. Waivers can be an especially important factor in the DFA process for players with larger contracts or for teams with limited payroll flexibility. In these cases, a player who clears waivers and is outright released may be more likely to be picked up by another team, as they would not be responsible for assuming the player’s full contract. How a player can appeal a DFA decision While it is rare for a player to successfully appeal a DFA decision, there are a few situations in which a player may have grounds for an appeal. For example, if a team designates a player for assignment due to an injury that was not disclosed or properly diagnosed, the player may be able to appeal the decision and potentially be reinstated on the team’s active roster. In order to appeal a DFA decision, the player must file a grievance with the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) within 45 days of the transaction. The appeal will then be heard by an independent arbitrator, who will review the evidence presented by both the player and the team before making a final decision. While the appeal process can be time-consuming and expensive, it can provide a player with an opportunity to challenge a DFA decision and potentially continue his career at the major league level. The potential financial implications of designated for assignment for both players and teams Designating a player for assignment can have significant financial implications for both the player and the team. If the player is claimed off waivers, the team may be responsible for paying a portion of the player’s salary or may be relieved of the obligation entirely. If the player clears waivers and is outright released, the team may still be responsible for paying the remainder of the player’s contract, depending on the terms of the agreement. For the player, being designated for assignment can have long-term financial implications as well. If the player is released and becomes a free agent, he may struggle to find a team willing to offer him a similar contract. Additionally, if the player is sent to the minors, he may be paid a lower salary than he was making at the major league level. Overall, the financial impact of DFA can be significant and is an important factor for both players and teams to consider when making decisions about roster moves. The designated for assignment process in relation to the MLB Collective Bargaining Agreement The DFA process is governed by the Major League Baseball Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which outlines the rights and responsibilities of players and teams in relation to roster moves. The CBA includes provisions related to waivers, including the waiver claim process, which gives all teams in the league an opportunity to claim players who have been designated for assignment. The CBA also sets forth procedures for players to file grievances and challenge roster decisions, including DFA decisions, through the MLBPA. The CBA also sets minimum salary and service time requirements for players, which can impact a team’s decision to designate a player for assignment or keep him on the roster. Additionally, the CBA includes provisions related to arbitration, which can be used to resolve disputes between players and teams regarding contracts, salaries, and roster decisions. Overall, the DFA process is an important aspect of the MLB CBA, which governs many aspects of player contracts, salaries, and roster moves. Conclusion Being designated for assignment is a significant event in a player’s career that can have long-lasting implications. While the designated for assignment process is designed to give teams flexibility in managing their rosters, it can also be challenging for players who may be faced with uncertainty about their future. Waivers and financial considerations can also play important roles in the DFA process, and the procedures outlined in the MLB Collective Bargaining Agreement provide a framework for resolving disputes and ensuring fair treatment of players. Ultimately, the DFA process is an important aspect of the MLB landscape that requires careful consideration by teams and players alike. FAQs

1. what happens to a player who is designated for assignment.

A player who is designated for assignment is removed from his team’s 40-man roster and can be placed on waivers or outright released. If the player is not claimed by another team within the designated time frame, he can be sent to the minor leagues or become a free agent.

2. What is the difference between DFA and outright assignment?

DFA refers to the process of designating a player for assignment and placing him on waivers, while outright assignment refers to the process of removing a player from the 40-man roster and sending him to the minor leagues without passing through waivers.

3. How can a player appeal a DFA decision?

days of the transaction, and an independent arbitrator will review the evidence before making a final decision.

4. What are the financial implications of DFA for players and teams?

DFA can have significant financial implications for both players and teams. Teams may be responsible for paying a portion of the player’s salary or may be relieved of the obligation entirely if the player is claimed off waivers. For the player, being designated for assignment can impact his salary and long-term earning potential.

5. What is the role of waivers in the DFA process?

Waivers are used to give all teams in the league an opportunity to claim players who have been designated for assignment. If the player is claimed, the team claiming him assumes the responsibility for his contract. If the player clears waivers, he can be outright released or sent to the minor leagues.

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What does designated for assignment DFA mean in baseball?

baseball term designated for assignment

Introduction

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In every sport, rules are governing them. Baseball, as a sport, has its own rules and regulations guiding the game. These rules were put in place for players and officials to know what is to be done and what not to do in the game. These rules apply to every part of the game, from the equipment used in playing the game to how scores are counted. These rules help give the game a unified front and allow for a better understanding of the game. Most of the rules were created a long time ago and were later fine-tuned to fit into the modern-day context of the game. Having rules is a beautiful thing, as it helps solves a lot of knotted situations without much stress.

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There are certain terms and terminologies pertaining to different sports, likewise baseball. one of those terms in baseball includes the DFA. The DFA has only one meaning in baseball, which is designated for assignment. Knowing how to keep a score or a scorebook is not the only practice you need to know in baseball. There are certain terminologies you have to master and command before it can be said that you have the full knowledge of baseball. There are so many terminologies used in baseball, with each having different meanings. Terminologies such as balk, battery, bunt, count, cleanup, diamond, error flyball, and groundball, and a full count are common to baseball, and each has its meaning. However, out of all these terminologies, most people don’t understand the DFA; although, unlike the rest, it is not a term used during play, which is why it is not very popular amongst baseball enthusiasts. However, the full meaning of DFA in baseball will be explained to you as you continue reading.

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DFA in Baseball

DFA In baseball stands for designated for assignment; this term is used when a player’s contract is designated for assignment. Once this occurs, the player is removed from the roster at once. When you hear the term DFA, some other terminologies accompany it; all these will be explained for better understanding.

  • What is DFA in Baseball?: The term DFA as said earlier stands for designated for assignment; this term is used when the player’s contract to his club is designated for assignment. Once this occurs, the player is immediately removed from the forty-man roster of his club; within a week or ten days of this agreement, the player can be placed on irrevocable outright waivers or traded. To better understand this term, one needs to be familiar with the term waiver in baseball.
  • What is a waiver?: A waiver is a form of permission granted to other teams in baseball, which allows them to proceed with a player move that will not be allowed normally by the rules of the game.

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  • Place player on waiver: After placing a player on DFA, the player can be claimed off waiver by another club. Once this club claims the player, he immediately joins their 40 man roster. At this point, the player can be sent to one of the clubs in the minor league. However, if the player can clear all waivers, he can be sent to the minor leagues or be released. If a player has played for about 3 to 5 years in the major league, the player must give his consent before being assigned to minor leagues. But in some cases, players withhold their consent. In this case, the club can either release the player or keep him on the roster of the major league. In both cases, the player will continue getting his pay under the terms of his agreement with the club.
  • Trade the player: once a player is placed on DFA, the player may be traded. Some major team has been known to put their players on designated for assignment to increase the interest on such players, especially among teams not at the top of the waiver list. According to the waiver rule, other teams would have preferences in claiming a player. Also, under the five and ten rule, if a player has ten years experience in the major league, he cannot be traded without his consent.
  • Release the player: If a player clears his waivers and is not traded, the players can be released from the team. Once the player is released, he becomes a free agent and can sign a new deal with any of the 30 major league teams with his present team inclusive.

Checkout the meaning of: Designated for Assignment in Basball

The designated for assignment is a terminology used for players that have been dropped from his team roster. Once a player is placed on DFA, the team releases the player or trades the player to another team in the major league. If it is a player with less than three years of experience in the major league, the player can be sent to one of the clubs in the minor league. However, in the case of a player with more than 5 or 10 years of experience in major league baseball, he cannot be traded or sent to the minor league without his consent. And if the player refuses to drop his consent, he is released and becomes a free agent and can end up still signing another contractual agreement with the team that just released him.

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baseball term designated for assignment

Designated for assignment

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Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball . When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster . This gives the club 10 days to decide what to do with the player while freeing up a roster spot for another transaction, if needed. After designating a player for assignment, the club must make one of the following contractual moves.

Place the player on waivers [ ]

Typically a player is placed on waivers after being designated for assignment for the purpose of outrighting him to one of the club's minor league teams. However, a player must clear waivers (that is, no other team may place a waiver claim on the player) to be sent to a minor league team. Also, if the player has five or more full years of major league service, he must give consent to be assigned to the minors. If the player withholds consent, the team must either release him or keep him on the major league roster. In either case, the player must continue to be paid under the terms of his contract.

Trade the player [ ]

Once a player is designated for assignment, he may be traded. Some teams have been known to designate players for assignment to increase interest in the player, especially among teams that are not at the top of the list for waivers. For example, in May 2006, Rangers reliever Brian Shouse was designated for assignment, and was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers 4 days later. The Brewers could have waited until Shouse was placed on waivers so they would not have had to give up a player in a trade, but according to the waiver rules , the other 13 AL teams would have preference in claiming him. Also, under the "five and ten rule," if a player has ten years of Major League service, the last five of which with his current team, he cannot be traded without his consent.

Release the player [ ]

If a player is not traded, and clears waivers, he may be released from the team. The player is then a free agent and is able to sign with any of the 30 Major League teams, including the team that just released him. The team that releases him is responsible for the salary the player is owed, less what he is paid by the team that signs him.

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Seattle Mariners v Detroit Tigers

Now that the 2017 World Series is over, Major League Baseball teams are wasting no time in making moves to adjust their rosters for the 2018 season.

Andrew Romine was placed on waivers and claimed by the Seattle Mariners . Jim Adduci cleared waivers and was outrighted to the minor leagues. Alex Presley cleared waivers, was outrighted, and elected free agency. Tyler Collins cleared waivers, was outrighted, and might elect free agency. Kyle Ryan, Myles Jaye , Bryan Holaday , and Efren Navarro were also placed on outright waivers. Eight players, all placed on waivers, with different situations.

Here is how they work.

What are waivers?

Waivers are a way for a major league team to take a player off its 40-man roster in order to send him outright to the minor leagues, or release him and let him become a free agent. A player cannot be removed from the 40-man roster without first clearing waivers, where all 29 other teams have a chance to claim that player, and his existing contract, for a modest waiver fee.

What are MLB options?

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 other teams.

Once a player is added to a team’s 40-man roster, his team has three options, or three different seasons in which the club may to send him to the minor leagues without having to clear waivers. A player on the 40-man roster playing in the minors is on optional assignment. There is no limit on the number of times a club may promote and demote a player during one option season.

A player must spend at least 20 days total in the minor leagues during one season (not including rehabilitation assignments) in order to be charged with an option. John Hicks was sent up and down a half dozen times during the 2017 season, but used just one option.

When a player is out of options, he cannot be sent to the minors without first clearing waivers. Also, a player who has accrued at least five years of major league service time may not be optioned to the minors without his consent. Hicks , as well as Bruce Rondon , Drew VerHagen , Matt Boyd and Buck Farmer are now out of options, so they will have to go on waivers if they don’t make the team in the spring.

There are three types of waivers.

Outright waivers

Outright waivers are used when a team wants to send a player to the minors but he is out of options. If the player clears waivers, he may be outrighted to the minor leagues.

However, a player may only be outrighted once during his career without his consent. When a player is outrighted for the second time or more, he may elect to become a free agent either immediately, if during the season, or as soon as the season is over, unless he is added back to the 40-man roster. This is why Tyler Collins can — and probably will — elect free agency.

A player with three years of major league service may also refuse an outright assignment and choose to become a free agent immediately or at the end of the season. Alex Presley, who has over four years of service time in the majors, rejected his outright assignment and chose free agency.

Release waivers

Release waivers are requested when a team wants to give a player his unconditional release.

Special waivers

Special Waivers , also known as revocable waivers or major league waivers, are used only between July 31 and the end of each season. These waivers are required in order to trade a player who is on the 40-man roster to another major league team after the trade deadline. Justin Verlander cleared waivers and was traded to the Houston Astros on August 31 in one of the most famous post-deadline trades ever.

What does it mean for a player to be designated for assignment?

A player may be designated for assignment (DFA) , giving the team 10 days to either trade him, or send him to the minor leagues, provided he clears waivers.

Romine and Presley were eligible for arbitration this offseason, and the Tigers were not prepared to risk going through that process with them. The same fate may await Bruce Rondon or Blaine Hardy, who are also eligible for arbitration this winter. BYB posted the projected salaries for the Tigers’ arbitration eligible players here .

Hardy still has an option year remaining, whereas Presley, Romine, and Rondon are all out of options.

The Tigers have until December 1 to offer a contract to their arbitration-eligible players. If they don’t make an offer, the player is said to be “non-tendered” and becomes a free agent.

Teams have until November 20 to submit their reserve lists of up to 40 players to the MLB office in advance of the Rule 5 draft. The Tigers will be adding some young players to the roster by that date, and will want to keep a spot or two open so that they may make a selection with their first pick in the draft on December 14.

Thursday was the day that players who are eligible for free agency became free agents, but the Tigers had no such players, having traded any would-be free agents during the season. Detroit formally declined their $16 million option on Anibal Sanchez on Thursday, paying him a $5 million buyout and making him a free agent.

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Red Sox Designate Zack Short For Assignment

By Anthony Franco | May 8, 2024 at 2:45pm CDT

May 8 : The Red Sox made the official announcement today. Pivetta and Gonzalez were both activated with Short designated for assignment and Uwasawa optioned.

May 7 : The Red Sox will designate infielder Zack Short for assignment, reports Julian McWilliams of the Boston Globe ( X link ). Boston also optioned right-hander  Naoyuki Uwasawa to Triple-A Worcester. The moves clear active roster spots for  Romy Gonzalez and  Nick Pivetta , each of whom will return from the injured list before tomorrow’s game in Atlanta.

Short is out of minor league options, so the Sox didn’t have the ability to send him to Worcester without taking him off the 40-man roster. That out-of-options status contributed to him landing in Boston in the first place. The Mets designated Short for assignment two weeks ago. Boston acquired him for cash on May 1.

The 28-year-old appeared twice for the Sox, going hitless with four strikeouts in seven at-bats. He has only tallied 19 plate appearances all season between New York and Boston. The majority of Short’s big league playing time came with the Tigers a year ago. In 253 trips to the plate, he hit .204/.292/.339 with an elevated 26.1% strikeout rate. Short drew a decent number of walks but didn’t make much of an impact when he put the ball in play.

Teams have nevertheless been intrigued by his ability to handle multiple spots on the infield. He has nearly 600 innings of career shortstop work and more than 200 frames at both second and third base. His defensive grades are mixed. Statcast has given him average marks for his second and third base work while rating him as a below-average shortstop. Defensive Runs Saved has been more favorable, crediting him with average shortstop defense and well above-average work at the keystone.

The Sox will trade Short or place him on waivers within the next few days. He has yet to clear waivers despite being designated for assignment by each of Detroit, New York and now Boston since the end of last season.

Pivetta will take the ball tomorrow, his first MLB start in a little more than a month. The right-hander suffered a flexor strain, but the Sox expressed confidence it was a mild issue that wouldn’t necessitate a long-term absence. He’ll rejoin a rotation that has been arguably the best in the majors in 2024. Pivetta, an impending free agent, was brilliant in his first two starts. He allowed only one run in 11 innings with 13 strikeouts and one walk.

70 Comments

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His time here was Short…

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He got Zacked

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Drew the short straw

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They gave him a short leash.

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Oh boy, here we go…. I guess you guys aren’t Short on jokes today, huh?

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In the end, he was just…too Short…

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He drew the Short straw.

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Short Red Sox tenure

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Imagine if the Tigers didn’t sign Javier Baez. Zach Short would be playing SS and the Tigers would be far better off.

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Depends what they did with the Cash.

What they dwouldve done withe the money they saved by NOT signing Baez is absolutely inconsequential. Zach Short would be a better hitter and slightly less defense but, the difference would close if Short played full time.

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3 WAR for $67 million doesn’t do it for you?

I would have been happy to tell the Tiggers that a reflex player like Baez will go under fast after turning 30.

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Give Meidroth a chance. Plays 3b/ss/2b, gets on somehow, either bb/or single and was always better option than Short. Just need to clear a 40 man spot.

Might as well give utility spot (finally) to someone this year with a history of getting on base.

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John – I agree, and with the Sox not looking very good so far this year it’s not like his promotion could hurt.

Red Sox are now 7-14 against teams that currently have a winning record. That is downright pathetic, and they haven’t even played the Yankees or Phillies or Brewers or Dodgers yet.

The schedule continues to be brutal. Through June 19th the Red Sox will play only SEVEN games against teams that currently have a losing record ….. that’s right folks, the Chisox and Cards are the only easy games between now and June 19th.

I think there may be a lot less chest-puffing after June 19th.

Chest-puffing? The Red Sox playoff hopes are on life support… Which is basically where they were at the start of the year, so I guess an optimist might suggest that they haven’t yet gotten worse?

Not enough offense. The pitching has been pretty good.

TFF – I totally agree! It’s kinda cute how often some people here think the Sox are a great team because they beat up on the Angels (13-23) and Giants (16-21). Then inevitably as the season goes on and the Sox play teams that don’t suck, reality finally sets in for those casual fans.

What they also don’t realize, the starting pitching has been phenomenal and therefore is due for regression as new scouting reports are created throughout MLB. Tyler O’Neill isn’t going to continue hitting 9 homeruns every month, and as expected he’s sucked since the concussion.. And I doubt Connor Wong is gonna hit .346 all season.

There’s a lot of parity in the AL this year, especially with Houston crashing due to injuries and other teams like Detroit, Cleveland and KC improving. So the Red Sox *should* stay within 5 games of the WC for a while. As always time will tell, and injuries will be a huge factor for all teams.

Baseball isn’t usually that deterministic. If you can beat up on the weaker teams, you can usually hold your own against the stronger teams. But the construction of this roster (maybe the lack of depth or maybe Cora’s usage) seems to make them unusually vulnerable to the better teams in the league.

That won’t necessarily keep them out of the playoffs. There are plenty of weak teams around the league if you can continue to beat up on them. But it would definitely seem to indicate a short playoff run.

Some regression, sure, but scouting reports don’t take six weeks to write. Houck and Crawford are legitimately pitching like studs, and a couple of the others have made the necessary adjustments to succeed in more limited roles. I expect they will continue to be top ten in pitching, a playoff-worthy staff if thin on “ace” talent. That’s about the best possible outcome you could have hoped for going into the season.

The offense has also been a pleasant surprise, with the emergence of Abreu largely balancing the loss of Casas (if he is only out for half the season). Unfortunately they looked weak going in and weren’t improved by the injuries.

Within five games of the WC? LOL! Have our standards slipped THAT far?!? They were within five games of the WC last September 1, by which point they were very obviously out of contention. No prizes for being within five games, you gotta actually MAKE the playoffs for it to count. Or at the very least be in real contention into the final week.

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There are only 6 teams in MLB with a winning record against teams >.500 (4 in the AL and 2 in the NL). The Red Sox can make the playoffs with a losing record against teams >.500, but they need to pick it up a bit.

Yup. Totally agree. But they need to come up with SOME wins against the better teams, and they need to really rock the rest of the league. Still believe it bodes ill for performance in the playoffs, even if they pull off a wild card berth.

TFF17: Agreed. I doubt they are going too far unless they pick up a bat to replace Casas.

TFF – Great post! There are so many factors that go into it …. how well/bad your team has been playing, how well/bad the other team has been playing, injuries on your team and their team, which starting pitchers are used, etc.

When you say “beat up” do you mean W/L or run differential?

For example, the Sox swept Oakland ….. BUT 2 of the 3 wins were by just one run, and one of them was in the 11th inning. So really, they could have easily lost 2 of 3 against Oakland.

Typically a good team plays .500 against other good teams and .750 against bad teams … that usually gets you around 95-100 wins.

With scouting reports I meant information from actually facing the pitcher. That’s often why, when a team faces a pitcher for the first time, they don’t do that well …. and then the second time on they do better against him. Familiarity often leads to more success, it’s one of the reasons why teams typically won’t use one of their projected SP’s against divisional rivals in ST. I don’t believe teams share scouting reports with other teams, therefore whenever a pitcher is facing a team for the first time that pitcher has an advantage.

I used 5 games as a threshold because in prior years that seems to be around the point where the Sox decide they are no longer in the race and therefore change their priorities.

Their run differential exceeds their current record, so I don’t think that is a problem in the grander scheme of things. Yes, they have some one-run wins but they also won one game by 17. For what it’s worth, run differential is usually the better predictor of future success.

Other teams will adjust – but the only way to adjust to good pitching is to swing aggressively early in the count. Think you’ll see more of that with Houck and Crawford, as with Kelenic last night,

It means they probably won’t run ERAs under 2, but then I doubt anybody knowledgable thought they would? If they keep pitching as they have been, they’ll still be on the outskirts of the CYA discussion.

That’s a ton of progress for one guy who wasn’t even considered a prospect until last spring and another who was on the verge of being deemed a failure as a starter.

TFF – As with most stats, they can be misleading unless we look beyond the numbers to the details.

That 17 run win is a perfect example. Let’s say that game is one of 5 they play, and they lose the 4 other games by a combined 10 runs. Does that overall run differential mean they are a good team? Nope, not when we learn the 17 runs were scored off the Cubs’ spot starter and worst relievers and position player pitching.

it reminds me of the 2004 ALCS Game 3 when the Sox lost by 11 runs. They were outscored in that series 42-31 going into Game 7 …. does that mean the Yankees were the better team? Not a chance.

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@johnsilver They weren’t giving Zack short the utility spot. They were giving him a temporary slot while waiting for more permanent players to come back from the IL. Why start the clock ticking and waste an option on a player that they don’t think is ready, yet? Did you really want to Meidroth to have 8 ab’s that badly?

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No surprise. It was dumb to pick him up to begin with.

I like this club a lot but I expect us to be a .500 team soon enough. No veteran leadership and the pitching won’t hold up all season. Our young hitters are inexperienced and can’t win late in games.

Not to mention I’ve seen more power coming from a junior high school girls’ softball team. That early glut of homers was misleading. The club has zero power and will probably end up in the bottom three in home runs.

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The early glut wasn’t misleading because Casas was still in the lineup.

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Yea the loss of Casas was really big. They can survive the loss of Story and Yoshida tough losses but livable. They can’t survive the loss of Casas. The black hole offensively at first is brutal. If Casas is in there it shifts Abreu down in the lineup he’s nit ready to be a cleanup hitter yet maybe ever. I think they should try Kavadas at first at the very least he should walk a lot and run into a few he has tremendous power.

Bruin- Not sure if u watch any woo-sox games. Know ur a big sox fan, have seen u post here over the years. if u do watch many of the aaa games. Kavada is a classic, bad pitcher quad A type player IMO, who really struggles vs velocity.

He’s got a decent eye at the plate, has a below average glove at 1b, limiting him to 1b/dh. That said.. Would his bat be better than say cooper/dalbec? Probably so, only he takes a 40 man spot and liklihood of him making any meaningful contribution (to me) is minimal.

There are a handful of guys at AAA who could possibly help, just my 2c he really is a low chancer at being 1. now if they wnt to cut bait quickly on cooper/smith and give him a try? Maybe go ahead.

Kavadas’ strikeout rate is a red flag. If AAA pitchers can punch you out 28% of the time, what will ML pitchers do? Maybe 35% to 40% (and that is *after* an extended adjustment period)? He is probably a .200 hitter in the majors, good power when he connects but far too little contact.

John watch a ton of minor league games so I’m very familiar with Kavadas. He has a good eye and big power. He’s going to strike out a lot but he doesn’t chase much. He is going to be rule 5 eligible and imo he’s a better option than Dom Smith to platoon with Cooper. I think he just might be our best option right now. Oh and by the way his defense has improved at first quite a bit he looks much better this year.

I’m not suggesting he’s a long term solution and he’s not in the same universe as Casas but first has been a black hole and if nothing else an idea can be determined whether he’s worth a precious 40 man spot this off-season or possibly even part of trade package once Casas gets back. I have no confidence at all in Dom Smith.

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Kavadas hit zilch last year. He needs to stay in the minors for now.

Since when is Casas a big power hitter? Last time I checked, he was good for 20 homers a season. He hasn’t surpassed that. 20 homers is good but I don’t consider that to be on par with the better power hitters. One guy doesn’t cause a black hole either

Casas will be closer to 35 Hrs when he hits his prime and he makes a big difference lineup now

Kid name of Jim Rice only hit more than 25hr’s in the minors 1 time.. another power hitting kid, name of Buck baker boston had same time used to hit 30+ every year. how many remember him? maybe because he hit like 2HR total in his mlb career?

how many a young guy coming thru a system means squat. Why minors are for development.

Chaim’s Purse first base has been an absolute Black Hole for Boston since they lost Casas. Casas hit 6 homers in his first 90 plate appearances. That’s a 30 plus home run pace and it appeared he really hadn’t gotten hit yet. He started slow. Last year after his slow start from June 1st on he hit 18 homers in 330 plate appearances that is a 30 plus homer pace as well. The injury was devestating. You go from one of the best offensive first baseman in the game to the black hole it’s become.

We have only been without him so many games. I agree, he’s the best option but good teams overcome injuries and right now I can’t justify Casas as a reliable power hitter until he plays consistently. Otherwise, you’re Brandon Belt

I think you’re over-exaggeratong. One player can’t pull down a team that much.

Casas was a liability the first whole half of last year. We have only seen him for a month this year and he hasn’t slumped yet. But he’s not going to hit forever.

You act like no one else has any power on the team.

losing a player like Casas can make a big difference or a line up and not for nothing his second half was extremely encouraging as he showed the ability to adjust.

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He has hit 35 home runs in 583 at bats which is roughly what a player gets in a full season.

He hit 24 last year.

Pretty sure that’s more 20 a season, you can check my math though if you want.

When did he hit 35 homeruns in a season? I’m talking one season. Last I checked, 24 is closer to 20 than it is 35.

I’m not denying the guy can hit. He’s great. But I’m denying that we are a “black hole” without him. Small sample size to say that and players are replaceable.

I’d much rather have Casas, believe me. But without him, I don’t believe we are a black hole.

Bobby Dalbec ops .377, Garrett Cooper since being a Red Sox .317 ops, and the big bopper of the three Dominic Smith .488 ops. This is pretty much the definition of a black hole offensively. Yes it’s a small sample size but it’s more plate appearances than Casas had.

Oh and Casas only struggled in April last year he didn’t suck for the whole first half that’s wrong. I could break down his ops and WRC plus by month but it’s apparently something you should do to educate yourself. Even as bad as Casas was in April he was still way better then the those then three. Casas loss was immense and it’s not arguable.

Bur it’s still a small sample size. You can’t depend on one guy to save the team. Good teams win despite injuries.

He almost lost his job last year. Stat-wise you aren’t wrong, but Sox should have shipped out Dalbec long ago and had a reasonable plan B. I would give Cooper more time. We have had him less than Casas, and a small sample size.

The problem with this team isn’t one hitter. They are inexperienced and streaky. We’ve been like that the past two years and not much has been done. They said yesterday we were 0 and 14 in come back games after the 7th inning… Casas can’t solve this on his own.

If you’re depending the fate of a team on one guy, that’s a problem.

And it’s ironic because everyone cried pitching earlier this year and said our offense would be great (and not just one guy), and the story has pivoted. In any case, I’d be wary to call Casas a king until he hits those 35 homeruns. He could get into a slump just like last year… things happen and one guy can’t solve it.

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They’re 7th now, but will end up in the bottom three why again?

“veteran leadership” lol. This isn’t mighty ducks

Any way you call it, they’re highly inexperienced. 5 of our losses never would’ve happened if we had guys who could properly make plays and not cause errors. This team will shine down the stretch in one way, but lack in another. They’ve done that the past two years. But there’s no drive in these guys right now. No one is getting big hits when we need them

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Atlanta isn’t a great opponent for a guy’s first start off the IL

oscar – The Red Sox are known for that sort of thing.

For instance, Justin Slaten’s first major league appearance and first ever batter he faced was JRod with runners on 1st and 3rd in a tie game in the bottom of the 10th.

Of course he promptly gave up the game-losing hit.

80 Wins…. Maybe.

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It amazes me that the Red Sox keep dealing with the Atlanta Braves in trades. They gave up Chris Sale who looks really good For Grissom who cannot hit period. I remember they traded Edgar Renteria for Andy Marte a 3rd baseman who was an utter bust with the Red Sox at the end of 2005 season. I remember they traded Jeff Reardon for a top pitching Double AA prospect Murphy who was another bust. Atlanta does not trade their best.

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As a Sox fan, I am glad to be off Mr. Sale’s wild ride. He is a fantastic pitcher when healthy, he just was never healthy during his extension. He’s electric and I’m excited to see him pitch tonight. I knew that once he was traded, he’d stay healthy and put up numbers. I hope it continues because he seems like a great teammate and ball player.

Grissom reminds me of Verdugo, where their original team was happy to offer them in a deal. While the trades are of different magnitudes, their original teams were eager to part with them in a trade. I hope his attitude is better than Verdugo’s.

Also, why trade for a young, controlled MI when your farm system should have a ton of them coming up in the next few years? Yorke, Mayer, Romero, Zantello, Yorke etc. Bloom pretty much exclusively drafted highschool shortstops in the first round (yes, besides Teel).

Al – I wouldn’t worry about Grissom hitting, he just came off the IL last Friday and is still feeling sick from the flu. He has a lot of catching up to do considering he hadn’t played in any games before Friday and missed a huge amount of ST …. and facing two very good pitching staffs doesn’t help either. It’s probably safe to say they rushed him back.

Let’s give him at least a couple months to see if his hitting comes around.

Short will end up somewhere. He’s actually not horrible. Above average defender. I pull for these tweener guys. Too good for the minors. Not quite good enough for the majors. I hope he hangs in there. Liked him when he was with the Tigers.

The guy has a career of not hitting. I even read that his hitting was not even a strong suit in college. All he has is high OBP.

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Red Sux gonna Red Sux

Sox and Sux sound alike! What a clever insult!

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You get a pass because Clarence Thomas is my daddy

got anymore of these zingers to hit us with?

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Once again Zack got short changed.

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Traded for Terrance Long

Ed – Get ready …… right now there’s a baseball player at Jacksonville University named Richard Long.

I hope he makes the majors, for the jokes alone.

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How is everyone feeling about the $30MM MAN now batting 5th in the line-up while Connor Wong the 80 OPS+ MAN from 2023 is batting 3rd?

Devers can’t field and hasn’t hit since Bogey and JD got booted. 10 years of wasted money!!! The club goes nowhere until they fix the biggest problem. Maybe we could trade Devers and pay most of his salary like we did Sale and we could get another pre-Arb 1 infielder who is an average fielder and a weak hitter!!!

It sure is fun to see Sale away from Cora. It’s like he’s his old self and all it took was eliminating Cora!!! DD thought he was getting this Sale not the one that Cora forced on to the field to pitch Cora’s way.

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Sale wins Cy while Grissom has a good cry.

And Oneill chokes again with RISP can’t even put the ball in play for a SF he’s useless.

Casas – In all fairness to Tyler, he’s already exceeded expectations. If he can keep his OPS over .800 he will be a great trade candidate at the deadline.

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Zach Short is a. 4A player but everyone loves him! He can play SS & a great arm. His bat is what keeps him from a full time job.

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Just days after being traded, Red Sox designate ex-Tiger infielder for assignment

  • Updated: May. 10, 2024, 5:05 p.m. |
  • Published: May. 08, 2024, 11:03 a.m.

Short

Detroit Tigers' Zack Short (59) reaches for the ball hit by Cleveland Indians' Ernie Clement in the seventh inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer) AP

Zack Short’s rollercoaster 2024 season continues.

Just one week after being traded from the New York Mets, the Boston Red Sox designated Short for assignment on Wednesday –– a move that kicks the former Detroit Tigers infielder off the Red Sox 40-man roster.

Boston also optioned right-hander Naoyuki Uwasawa to Triple-A Worcester, which clears active roster spots for infielder Romy Gonzalez and pitcher Nick Pivetta, both players who will return from the injured list before today’s game in Atlanta.

Short, who was just designated for assignment by the Mets late last month, is out of minor league options, which meant the Red Sox had to remove him from their roster in order to send him to Worcester.

The soon-to-be 29-year-old appeared in two games for Boston and went hitless with four strikeouts in seven at-bats. Short, a Kingston NY, native has just 19 plate appearances between the Mets and the Red Sox this season, going a combined 1-for-19.

That’s after enjoying a stellar spring, hitting .308 with a home run and four doubles, while walking seven times and striking out six –– all of which landed him on the Mets Opening Day roster.

Short played parts of three seasons with Detroit after being acquired from the Chicago Cubs in a trade that included outfielder Cameron Maybin in 2020. He last served as the Tigers’ utility infielder for most of the 2023 season.

A 17th round pick by the Cubs in the 2016 MLB Draft, Short played 179 games with the Tigers, hitting .204 with 13 home runs across 450 plate appearances, as well as 196 games with Triple-A Toledo.

Teams have consistently been intrigued by Short’s infield versatility –– something that’s accumulated to nearly 600 innings of career work at shortstop, along with 200 frames at both second and third base. He’s also been willing to pitch, tossing six innings in lopsided games in Detroit.

However, he’s cooled off at the plate as of late, a big reason for his demotions at the major league level.

The Red Sox have the option to either trade or place Short on waivers in the coming days, as he’s yet to clear waivers despite being designated for assignment by the Tigers, Mets and now Boston since the end of the 2023 season.

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baseball term designated for assignment

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  • Chicago Cubs roster moves

Cubs roster move: Tyson Miller activated, Richard Lovelady designated for assignment

The Cubs continue roster Jenga in the bullpen.

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baseball term designated for assignment

The Cubs acquired righthander Tyson Miller from the Mariners late Monday night for Jake Slaughter, and I thank Josh for posting this trade article while I was asleep.

To make room on the 40-man roster, as well as the 26-man active roster, lefthander Richard Lovelady has been designated for assignment.

Miller has made nine relief appearances for the Mariners this season, posting a 3.09 ERA (four earned runs in 11⅔ innings). He has 12 strikeouts compared to just one walk. He joined the Mariners organization signing as a minor league free agent on Nov. 11, 2023 and was added to the 40-man roster on April 8.

As you know, Miller was originally drafted by the Cubs in the fourth round of the 2016 Draft. He made his major league debut with the Cubs on August 17, 2020 vs. St. Louis. He made two appearances (one start) for the Cubs that season with a 5.40 ERA (three earned runs in five innings).

Lovelady made seven appearances for the Cubs, posting a 7.94 ERA and 1.941 WHIP in 5x innings. It’s possible he’ll clear waivers and the Cubs can stash him at Triple-A Iowa.

For now, this means the Cubs will have no true lefthander in the bullpen, instead relying on Mark Leiter Jr. against tough LH batters. Leiter has held LH batters to a .459 OPS so far this year (6-for-41, nine strikeouts). Lefthander Drew Smyly is eligible to return from the IL, but there’s been no word on his availability.

As always, we await developments.

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Ryan McKenna let go by Baltimore Orioles. Here's what happens now for St. Thomas grad

baseball term designated for assignment

Ryan McKenna, a 2015 graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Dover, learned Monday he was designated for assignment by the Baltimore Orioles. This means he was removed from the club's 40-man roster. Within seven days, the Orioles must either trade McKenna or place him on outright or unconditional release waivers.

Ryan McKenna, a 2015 graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas, was designated for assignment by the Baltimore Orioles on Monday. McKenna began the season at Triple-A Norfolk, but was called up to the Orioles on April 26. He appeared in nine games and hit two solo home runs.

If McKenna, 27, a fourth-round selection by the Orioles in the 2015 draft, is claimed off waivers by another club, he will be assigned to his new team's 26-man roster because he no longer has minor league options. If he clears waivers, he would be free to join another organization, or return to the Orioles' minor league system.

McKenna was called up to Baltimore on April 26. He appeared in nine games and went 3-for-8, including two solo home runs. Austin Hayes, who was reinstated from the 10-day injured list after missing three weeks with a strained calf, took McKenna's spot on the roster.

McKenna appeared in the majors with the Orioles for the fourth season. He began this season at Triple-A Norfolk , batting .244 with two homers and five RBIs before being called up to the majors.

More: Here's where 7 Seacoast baseball stars are as MLB teams open spring training in 2024

Last year, McKenna appeared in 89 games in the regular season and had career highs in several categories, including batting average (.254), on-base percentage (.316), slugging (.677), RBIs (18), and stolen bases (five).  

The Orioles won the American League East last year with a record of 101-61, and were swept by the Texas Rangers in the American League Division Series. McKenna, who was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk in the final week of the regular season, was not on the postseason roster .

McKenna appeared in 291 games with the Orioles since he made his debut in 2021. He had eight home runs and 45 RBIs, and a batting average of .224. His first career MLB hit was a triple in 2021 against the Boston Red Sox off Nick Pivetta at Camden Yards.

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Nolan arenado, francisco lindor, colton cowser, giancarlo stanton, kyle schwarber, j.d. martinez, esteury ruiz, wyatt langford, gavin stone, kyle bradish, daniel hudson, robert suarez, brady singer, brayan bello, walker buehler, kyle harrison, paul skenes, tyler glasnow, evan phillips.

  • BABIP - Batting Average on Balls in Play  Definition The rate at which the batter gets a hit when he puts the ball in play. The calculation for BABIP is (H-HR)/(AB-K-HR+SF). League average is typically .300. A batter with a BABIP of greater than .300 is typically thought of as lucky (though batters with above average speed often have BABIPs greater than .300). A batter with a BABIP lower than .300 is often thought of as unlucky though batters with below average speed often have BABIPs lower than .300. As a rule batters have much greater variance in BABIP than pitchers. Why does this stat matter for fantasy? Unlike pitchers, there's no "normal" baseline for BABIP with hitters, as this can fluctuate greatly. A higher BABIP tends to mean the hitter produces a lot of line drives and a high exit velocity, which is a good thing for fantasy value.
  • FB% - Fly Ball Percentage  Definition Percentage of fair balls hit in the air, excluding line drives (pop-ups, fly balls) Why does this stat matter for fantasy? A batter with a higher fly ball percentage will provide more extra base opportunities, more power, and more RBI.
  • FB - Fly Balls  Definition Number of fair balls hit in the air, excluding line drives (pop-ups, fly balls) Why does this stat matter for fantasy? On average, fly ball hits result in extra bases more often than ground balls
  • GB% - Ground Ball Percentage  Definition Percentage of fair balls hit on the ground Why does this stat matter for fantasy? A high GB% leads to a higher BABIP but lower slugging%.
  • GB/FB - Ground ball to fly ball hit ratio  Definition Ratio of ground balls to fly balls Why does this stat matter for fantasy? Batters with an extreme grounder ratio have limited homer upside
  • HR/FB - Home Run to Fly Ball Rate  Definition The number of home runs hit by a batter per fly ball. Why does this stat matter for fantasy? Batters with a higher home run to fly ball ratio tend to hit more home runs, especially if they also have a high fly ball:ground ball ratio.
  • ISO - Isolated Power  Definition Isolated Power (ISO) measures the power of a batter. The calculation is ISO=SLG% - AVG. Result displays the number of extra bases a player averages per at bat. An ISO of. 200 or higher indicates a hitter with very good power. An ISO of ~.140 will be roughly the league average. Why does this stat matter for fantasy? If you are looking for a stat that helps you identify power hitters, ISO is a great stat to use. However, it takes about a full season of data (500-600 ABs) to achieve statistical significance foir ISO. A rookie flashing a high ISO early in the season may not be as likely to maintain his level as player with multiple seasons with high ISO.
  • P/PA - Pitches to per Plate Appearance  Definition Number of pitches thrown to batter per plate appearance. Why does this stat matter for fantasy? Pitches per plate appearance is a measure of a batter's patience and can serve as a leading indicator for higher on-base-percentage.
  • RC - Runs Created  Definition Number of runs a batter has generated for his team. This stat measures a player's offensive contribution in total runs. It does so by adding the number of times a batter gets on base to his number of extra base hits and dividing this number by his number of opportunities. Why does this stat matter for fantasy? A batter with more runs created is most often a valuable fantasy contributing in a number of categories.
  • SB% - Stolen-base Percentage  Definition The percentage of successful stolen bases against attempts. Why does this stat matter for fantasy? A player with a low stolen-base percentage may be inclined -- or asked by his team -- to attempt fewer steals, thus hurting his fantasy value. Conversely, a player with a high stolen-base percentage -- provided he is active on the bases -- will likely have more latitude to steal in the future.
  • SL - Strikeout Looking  Definition The number of time a batter has struck out looking. Why does this stat matter for fantasy? Players with a higher number of strikouts looking may be having issues identifying the strike zone and thus are at risk for producing a lower batting average.
  • TOB - Times on Base  Definition Number of times a player has been on base Why does this stat matter for fantasy? The more often a batter reaches base, the greater the chance they will score runs. Not recording outs also helps BA.
  • bWAR - Batting Wins Above Replacement  Definition Batting WAR (bWAR) measures a player's value as a hitter only by how many more wins he is worth than a replacement-level player at his same position. Why does this stat matter for fantasy? bWAR is quick way to view the best hitters in the game. It does not account for base running, so players with the highest bWAR are not always the highest raanked players in fantasy baseball.
  • brWAR - Baserunning Wins Above Replacement  Definition Baserunning Wins Against replacement measures the value of a player's base-stealing performance and their base-running in non-stolen base situations by home many more wins he is worth than a replacement-level player at his same position. Why does this stat matter for fantasy? BrWAR is a quick way to identify the best players on the basepaths. Players with a high brWAR are potential sources of runs and stolen bases.
  • wOBA - Weighted On Base Average  Definition A stat designed to measure a player's overall offensive contributions per plate appearance based on linear weights. Why does this stat matter for fantasy? Typically the biggest fantasy stars grade very well in this category.
  • wRAA - Weighted Runs Above Average  Definition Weighted Runs Above Average measures how many runs a player contributes, compared with an average player. A player with a 0 wRAA would be considered average and a player with greater than 0 wRAA would be considered above average. Why does this stat matter for fantasy? In calculating a player's Wins Above Replacement (WAR), which factors a player's offensive and defensive value, wRAA is used to represent the player's offensive contributions
  • AVG - Opponent Batting Average  Definition The batting average of all opposing batters Why does this stat matter for fantasy? Facing weaker competition increases the chances of success in ERA, WHIP and recording wins and strikeouts.
  • BABIP - Batting Average on Balls in Play  Definition The rate at which opposing batters get a hit when they put the ball in play. Calculation is (H-HR)/(AB-K-HR+SF). League average is typically .300. Pitchers with BABIPs above .300 are often considered unlucky, where those below .300 are often considered unlucky. Why does this stat matter for fantasy? Pitchers tend to vary less than hitters with regard to BABIP. Fantasy players should expect pitchers with BABIPs above or below .300 to regress to the mean over the course of the season. It makes sense to target pitchers with a BABIP above .300 as they have been unlucky.
  • ERA- - ERA Minus  Definition ERA- is a park-adjusted and league-normalized Earned Run Average, where 100 is the league (NL or AL) average. Therefore, a pitcher with a 95 ERA- has a park-adjusted ERA 5 percentage points better than their league’s ERA. Why does this stat matter for fantasy? ERA- provides a good overview of a pitcher's value. However, because the data is normalized against the league and adjust for the pitchers home park, a pitchers value may stray from their actual fantasy value.
  • FB - Fly Balls Allowed  Definition Number of fly balls hit in play allowed Why does this stat matter for fantasy? Extreme fly ball pitchers tend to have lower WHIPs but higher ERAs.
  • FB% - Fly Ball Percentage  Definition Percentage of fly balls allowed Why does this stat matter for fantasy? A pitcher with a high FB rate is more likely to be homer prone.
  • FIP - Fielding Independent Pitching  Definition Fielding independent pitching (FIP) counts only the events over which a pitcher has the most control: strikeouts, unintentional walks, hit-by-pitches and home runs. It excludes balls hit into the field of play. FIP is expressed numerically the same as ERA. Why does this stat matter for fantasy? FIP is a great stat for evaluating pitchers for fantasy baseball to see if they are due for a correction. A pitcher with a low FIP but a high ERA has most likely been unlucky and should be targeted.
  • GB - Ground Balls Allowed  Definition Number of ground balls hit in play allowed Why does this stat matter for fantasy? Ground ball pitchers tend to allow fewer fly balls and therefore fewer home runs and hits that lead to earned runs.
  • GB% - Ground Ball Percentage  Definition Percentage of ground balls allowed Why does this stat matter for fantasy? The higher a pitcher's GB rate, the fewer home runs they will allow.
  • GB/FB - Ground Ball to Fly Ball Ratio  Definition Ratio of ground balls allowed to fly balls Why does this stat matter for fantasy? A high ratio here can lead to a higher BABIP but typically lower ERAs.
  • HR/FB - Home Run to Fly Ball Rate  Definition Home-run-per-fly-ball (HR/FB) rate is the rate at which home runs are hit against a pitcher for every fly ball he allows. Why does this stat matter for fantasy? A hitter with high home run/fly ball is a good target when looking for home runs. To find players with strong home run tendencies, look for hitters who have both a high fly ball rate and a high HR/FB rate.
  • IR - Inherited Runners  Definition Number of runners inherited (For relief pitchers only) Why does this stat matter for fantasy? Preferably the closer enters the game with no runners on base.
  • IRS% - Inherited Runners Scored Percentage  Definition Percentage of inherited runners who scored (For relief pitchers only) Why does this stat matter for fantasy? Relief pitchers with a high percentage of inherited runners who scored are not going to help you win your league. These pitchers may not have a high ERA (inherited runners are scored against the pitcher they relieved) but their inability to prevent runs in a high-leverage situation makes them a risky own, especially if they happen to be closers.
  • OBP - Opponent On Base Percentage  Definition The on base percentage of all opposing batters Why does this stat matter for fantasy? Pitchers with high opponent on-base percentage will have higher WHIPs and are likely to have higher ERAs as well.
  • P/IP - Pitches Per Inning  Definition Number of pitches thrown per inning Why does this stat matter for fantasy? The fewer pitches thrown per inning, the more efficient a pitcher is. The more efficient a pitcher is, the deeper they can go in games, giving them a better chance at a win.
  • P/S - Pitches Per Start  Definition Number of pitches thrown per start Why does this stat matter for fantasy? If a pitcher throws an excessive amount of pitches consistently, their chance of injury increases.
  • SLG - Opponent Slugging Percentage  Definition The slugging percentage of all opposing batters Why does this stat matter for fantasy? Pitchers with high opponent slugging percentage are more victimized by extra base hits and thus are more likely to struggle with ERA.
  • STR - Inherted Runners Stranded  Definition Number of inherited runners left stranded (For relief pitchers only) Why does this stat matter for fantasy? Relief pitchers with a high strand rates help the departing starters' ERA. A high strand rate also indicates closer potential for set-up men asit demonstrates the ability to succeed in high-stress situations.
  • WAR - Wins Against Replacement  Definition WAR measures a player's value across all aspects of their game (pitching and defense) by how many more wins he is worth than a replacement-level player at his same position. Why does this stat matter for fantasy? By itself WAR is more valuable for non-fantasy purposes than for fantasy players. Players with high WAR tend to be more highly ranked in fantasy but because fielding is not used in most leagues, it is less useful than other advanced stats.

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  • Legend 
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  • Advanced Stats Glossary 

The Fine Print

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Cubs roster move: Tyson Miller activated, Richard Lovelady designated for assignment

The Cubs continue roster Jenga in the bullpen. The Cubs acquired righthander Tyson Miller from the Mariners late Monday night for Jake Slaughter, and I thank Josh for posting this trade article while I was asleep. To make room on the 40-man roster, as well as the 26-man active roster, lefthander Richard Lovelady has been designated for assignment. Miller has made nine relief appearances for the Mariners this season, posting a 3.09 ERA (four earned runs in 11⅔ innings). He has 12 strikeouts compared to just one walk. He joined the Mariners organization signing as a minor league free agent...

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baseball term designated for assignment

IMAGES

  1. Designated For Assignment Meaning Baseball [DFA Explained]

    baseball term designated for assignment

  2. Designated for Assignment in Baseball: Key Rules and Strategies

    baseball term designated for assignment

  3. What Does DFA Mean in Baseball?

    baseball term designated for assignment

  4. Designated for Assignment

    baseball term designated for assignment

  5. What does designated for assignment mean in baseball?

    baseball term designated for assignment

  6. Designated For Assignment Meaning Baseball [DFA Explained]

    baseball term designated for assignment

COMMENTS

  1. What does designated for assignment mean in baseball? Explaining MLB's

    What does designated for assignment mean in baseball? Teams are only allowed to have 40 players on their roster at all times, with 26 of them active in the majors. Sometimes, teams make decisions ...

  2. Designate for Assignment (DFA)

    Definition. When a player's contract is designated for assignment -- often abbreviated "DFA" -- that player is immediately removed from his club's 40-man roster. Within seven days of the transaction (had been 10 days under the 2012-16 Collective Bargaining Agreement), the player can either be traded or placed on outright or unconditional ...

  3. Designated for assignment

    Designated for assignment ( DFA) is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball (MLB). [2] A player who is designated for assignment is immediately removed from the team's 40-man roster, after which the team must, within seven days, [a] return the player to the 40-man roster, place the player on waivers, trade the player, release the ...

  4. What is Designated for Assignment (DFA) Mean in Baseball?

    Once a player is DFA'd, the clock starts for the club to pick an option for that player's immediate future. Those options are: Assign the player to one of a minor league team affiliated with the club. (This is not available for all players; see Common Questions at bottom). Place the player on the Waiver Wire.

  5. What is 'DFA' in baseball? What to know about abbreviation's meaning

    In order to take someone off the 40-man roster, they must be designated for assignment. MLB.com explains the process: "When a player's contract is designated for assignment — often abbreviated ...

  6. What does designated for assignment mean in MLB? What to know about

    What does designated for assignment (DFA) mean in baseball? This is how the MLB.com glossary explains the process: "When a player's contract is designated for assignment — often abbreviated "DFA ...

  7. How Does Designate For Assignment Work? [reasons, Process, & Outcomes

    A team can designate a player due to various reasons. It can be for changing the game strategy and tactics or trying to strengthen the team. Here are the most common reasons why a baseball designates a player for assignment: Performance issues: Performance reason is the primary reason for DFA. If a player fails to perform well and does not meet ...

  8. designated for assignment

    Referred to as "a staggering piece of scholarship" (Wall Street Journal) and "an indispensable guide to the language of baseball" (San Diego Union-Tribune), the Baseball Dictionary is the definitive source for baseball terms. The complete definition of designated for assignment, from the Dickson Baseball Dictionary, appears below, along with ...

  9. Why Do MLB Players Get Designated for Assignment (DFA)?

    Conclusion. Designated for Assignment (DFA) is a term used in Major League Baseball that refers to the process of a team removing a player from their 40-man roster. Teams use the DFA process for various reasons, such as to make room for new players, to demote a player to the minor leagues, or to cut ties with a player who is not performing.

  10. Understanding DFA in Baseball: Implications, Options, and Opportunities

    Designated for Assignment (DFA) is a term commonly used in baseball when a player is removed from a team's 40-man roster. It's a strategic move made by teams to either free up roster spots or give struggling players a chance to improve their skills.

  11. What Does DFA Mean in Baseball?

    DFA is short for Designated for Assignment and is a contractual term used in the baseball realm. Essentially, it refers to when a player is eliminated from a team's 40-man roster and placed on waivers for other teams to claim. You may have heard about this if you follow the Major League games and subscribe to baseball news.

  12. Designated for assignment

    A player is designated for assignment when his team wants to replace him on the active roster and he is out of options. The team thus announces its wish to send the player to the minor leagues and places his name on waivers. If the player is claimed, a trade may be worked out between the two teams. If the player is unclaimed, he can either ...

  13. Understanding Designate for Assignment in Baseball

    The Role of DFA in Shaping Baseball Careers; Demystifying Designate for Assignment in Baseball. Explaining the Concept of Designate for Assignment; The Rules and Timeframes of DFA; DFA Compared to Other Player Transactions; Exploring the Emotional Impact of DFA on Baseball Players. Emotional and Mental Effects of Being Designated for Assignment

  14. Why Do Players Get DFA (Designated for Assignment)?

    March 27, 2023 by James Hoffman. Designated for assignment (DFA) is a term used in baseball to describe a move by a team to remove a player from its active roster. The player is then placed on the team's reserve list, where they can remain until the team either releases the player or trades them. The term is used by Major League Baseball (MLB ...

  15. Force out: What happens to players who are designated for assignment

    When a player is designated for assignment, though, that is not an option - even if the team's plan is for an outright assignment to the minors. During that week, the player is not part of the ...

  16. What Does Designate for Assignment (DFA) mean in Baseball?

    DFA means Designated for Assignment. When a player falls into this term, the team will immediately remove him from the 40-man roster. However, the team can replace that player with another one to fulfill its 40-player roster. One crucial thing I should mention, DFA does not mean out-and-out release.

  17. Designated for Assignment

    Also known as DFA, "designated for assignment" is a procedure in baseball where one team removes a player from the 40-man roster. However, it's not the same as an out-and-out release thanks to the seven-day limit. Within these seven days, a Major League Baseball team must do one of the following: Return the player to the 40-man roster (a ...

  18. Designated for Assignment in Baseball: Key Rules and Strategies

    Designate for Assignment (DFA) is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball (MLB) when a team wants to remove a player from its 40-man roster. This action allows the team to make room for a new player or provide flexibility in managing its roster. Once a player is designated for assignment, the team has seven days to decide the player ...

  19. The Designated for Assignment (DFA) Process in Major League Baseball

    To be designated for assignment in baseball means that a player has been removed from his team's 40-man roster. This move is typically made when a team wants to make room for another player, or if the player's performance has been disappointing or i ... While the terms "designated for assignment" (DFA) and "outright assignment" may seem ...

  20. What does designated for assignment DFA mean in baseball?

    The designated for assignment is a terminology used for players that have been dropped from his team roster. Once a player is placed on DFA, the team releases the player or trades the player to another team in the major league. If it is a player with less than three years of experience in the major league, the player can be sent to one of the ...

  21. Designated for assignment

    Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster. This gives the club 10 days to decide what to do with the player while freeing up a roster spot for another transaction, if needed. After designating a player for assignment, the club must make one of the following ...

  22. MLB options, waivers and outright assignments, explained

    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 other teams. Once a player is added to a team's 40-man ...

  23. Designated for Assignment

    Designated for Assignment. The TBC Data Store allows you to purchase some standard datasets available on the site or even request a custom extract of your own design! Players who are currently removed from the 40-man roster and waiting for assignment, trade or release. The Transactions Research provides you with ability to search through pro ...

  24. Red Sox Designate Zack Short For Assignment

    The Mets designated Short for assignment two weeks ago. Boston acquired him for cash on May 1. The 28-year-old appeared twice for the Sox, going hitless with four strikeouts in seven at-bats.

  25. Just days after being traded, Red Sox designate ex-Tiger ...

    Just one week after being traded from the New York Mets, the Boston Red Sox designated Short for assignment on Wednesday -- a move that kicks the former Detroit Tigers infielder off the Red ...

  26. Cubs roster move: Tyson Miller activated, Richard Lovelady designated

    Cubs roster move: Tyson Miller activated, Richard Lovelady designated for assignment The Cubs continue roster Jenga in the bullpen. By Al Yellon @bleedcubbieblue May 14, 2024, 9:15am CDT

  27. What's next for Ryan McKenna after he's let go by Baltimore Orioles

    Ryan McKenna, a 2015 graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Dover, learned Monday he was designated for assignment by the Baltimore Orioles. This means he was removed from the club's 40-man ...

  28. Designated for Assignment 2024

    The rate at which the batter gets a hit when he puts the ball in play. The calculation for BABIP is (H-HR)/(AB-K-HR+SF). League average is typically .300. A batter with a BABIP of

  29. Cubs acquire right-handed pitcher Tyson Miller from Seattle Mariners

    ATLANTA, Ga. - The Chicago Cubs today acquired right-handed pitcher Tyson Miller from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for minor league infielder Jake Slaughter. To make room on the 40-man roster, left-handed pitcher Richard Lovelady has been designated for assignment. Miller, 28, has made nine relief appearances for the Mariners

  30. Cubs roster move: Tyson Miller activated, Richard Lovelady designated

    The Cubs continue roster Jenga in the bullpen. The Cubs acquired righthander Tyson Miller from the Mariners late Monday night for Jake Slaughter, and I thank Josh for posting this trade article while I was asleep. To make room on the 40-man roster, as well as the 26-man active roster, lefthander Richard Lovelady has been designated for assignment.