what happens when a mlb player is 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.

MLB SALARIES: Baseball's top 25 highest-paid players in 2024

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?
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• What was the longest baseball game?
• Who invented baseball?

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

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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 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

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.

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.

"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.

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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What does designated for assignment mean in MLB? What to know about Madison Bumgarner

The Arizona Diamondbacks designated pitcher Madison Bumgarner for assignment on Thursday after his latest rough outing on Wednesday.

Bumgarner is 0-3 on the season with a 10.26 ERA in 16.2 innings over four starts. He has given up 25 hits and 19 earned runs, while walking 15 and striking out 10.

What's next for the pitcher and the Arizona Diamondbacks?

Here's a look at the designated for assignment process and what it means for Bumgarner and his MLB team.

What does designated for assignment (DFA) mean in baseball?

The MLB.com glossary explains the process as follows: "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."

What happens if the player is claimed off waivers by another team?

The glossary explains the process as follows: "If the player is claimed off said waivers by another club, he is immediately added to that team's 40-man roster, at which point he can be optioned to the Minor Leagues (if he has Minor League options remaining) or assigned to his new team's 26-man roster. If the player clears waivers, he may be sent outright to the Minor Leagues or released. Players with more than three years of Major League service time or who have been previously outrighted may reject the outright assignment in favor of free agency. Clubs may utilize this option to clear a spot on the 40-man roster — typically with the intention of adding a newly acquired player (via trade or free agency), a Minor Leaguer or a player being activated from the 60-day injured list."

What are the specifics of Madison Bumgarner's DFA?

The Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro explained the specifics regarding the situation for Bumgarner and the Diamondbacks in his story detailing the pitcher being designated for assignment on Thursday.

He wrote: "Bumgarner is likely to be placed on waivers soon, if he hasn't been already, and would become a free agent once he clears. He could then sign with another team for a prorated portion of the league minimum ($720,000). He is not likely to be claimed or traded given the amount of money still owed to him by the Diamondbacks."

How much do the Diamondbacks owe Madison Bumgarner?

Bumgarner signed a 5-year, $85 million contract with the Diamondbacks in December of 2019. He is still owed $34 million through next season. In cutting ties with Bumgarner, the Diamondbacks are setting a new club record for dead money, exceeding the $22 million they ate when releasing right-hander Russ Ortiz during the 2006 season.

More on Madison Bumgarner and the Diamondbacks

Madison Bumgarner designated for assignment by Diamondbacks

Why the Diamondbacks did not call up Brandon Pfaadt to replace Madison Bumgarner

With sense of urgency, Diamondbacks move on from struggling Madison Bumgarner

Arizona Diamondbacks fans sound off: Madison Bumgarner must be removed from rotation

Reach Jeremy Cluff at  [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter  @Jeremy_Cluff.

Support local journalism: Subscribe to  azcentral.com  today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What does DFA mean in baseball? What's next for Madison Bumgarner

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• What is Designated for Assignment (DFA) in Baseball - What Does it Mean?

What is DFA in baseball

What is Designated for Assignment (DFA) in Baseball?

Designated for assignment (DFA) is a process used in Major League Baseball when a team wants to remove a player from its 40-man roster. Here are some key points about DFA in baseball:

• When a player is DFA’d, he is immediately removed from the team’s 40-man roster and placed on waivers. Other teams then have 7 days to claim the player’s contract.
• If the player clears waivers unclaimed, the team has 10 days to trade, release, or outright the player to the minor leagues.
• Teams often DFA players when they need to open up a spot on their 40-man roster to add another player.
• A DFA’d player can be claimed by any other team for $20,000 and assumed the claiming team takes on his existing contract.
• Once a player is DFA’d, he remains on the team’s 40-man roster but is removed from the active 25-man roster.

So in summary, DFA provides teams a way to remove players from their 40-man roster while giving other teams a chance to claim the player before they become a free agent. It’s an important process in MLB roster management.

• Definition: Contractual term used when a MLB team wants to remove a player from its 40-man roster
• Immediately removes player from 40-man roster and active roster
• Provides team with 7-day window to trade, release, or outright player to minors
• Player’s contract remains valid during this period

Designated for Assignment: A Contractual Roster Move in MLB

In Major League Baseball, teams have a 40-man roster of players under contract that are eligible to play in the majors and minors. Designated for assignment (DFA) is a contractual term used when a team wants to remove a player from its 40-man roster.

What is Designated for Assignment?

Designated for assignment is a process that allows MLB teams to open up a spot on their 40-man roster. When a player is DFA’d, he is immediately removed from both the 40-man roster and 25-man active roster. This opens a spot for the team to add another player.

How Does DFA Work?

After designating a player for assignment, the team must place him on irrevocable waivers within 7 days. Once on waivers, any other MLB team can claim the player’s contract during a designated waiver period. If the player clears waivers without being claimed, the team has 10 days to do one of three things:

• Trade the player to another team
• Release the player from his contract
• Outright the player to the minor leagues

Outrighting removes the player from the 40-man roster but allows the team to keep his contract and assign him to a minor league affiliate.

During the DFA process, the player’s contract remains valid. If claimed on waivers, the new team takes on the full contract. If not claimed, the original team decides whether to release, trade, or outright the player while keeping the contract intact.

Why Use DFA?

Teams commonly use DFA when they need to open up a 40-man roster spot for a prospect call up, new free agent signing, or trade acquisition. It lets teams shuffle their rosters while giving other teams a chance to claim DFA’ed players. DFA provides an important contractual mechanism for MLB teams to manage their rosters mid-season.

Reasons for Designating a Player for Assignment

• To open up spot on 40-man roster (for trade, free agent signing, returning injured player, etc.)
• Due to poor performance by the player
• If player sustained serious injury
• For financial/contract reasons

There are several common reasons why a Major League Baseball team might choose to designate a player for assignment (DFA):

• Poor performance : If a player is struggling significantly and not producing at the level expected, a team may DFA him to open up a roster spot for someone else. This often happens with veterans who are underperforming.
• Injury : Teams will sometimes DFA injured players in order to free up a roster spot for an active replacement. This allows them to add someone who can contribute immediately.
• Surplus at a position : When a team acquires a new player or has a prospect ready for promotion, they may need to clear a roster spot at that position. DFAing a surplus player at that position is one way to do this.
• Contract reasons : Sometimes teams DFA players to remove an undesirable contract from their books or to avoid player bonuses. DFA’ing the player allows the contract to be assumed by another team.
• Change in direction : Teams may want to move on from aging, more expensive veterans in order to play younger prospects. DFA gives them a way to move out veterans.
• Out of minor league options : Players who are out of minor league option years can’t be sent down without being exposed to waivers. DFA is often used in this scenario.

So in summary, DFA gives teams a contractual mechanism to swap out underperforming or redundant players on their roster in exchange for players they hope will provide an upgrade. It allows for roster flexibility.

DFA Process

• Player is immediately removed from 40-man roster
• 7-day period where team can trade player or place on outright waivers
• If unclaimed, team can trade, release, or outright player to minors
• Certain service time rules affect player’s options (reject assignment, etc.)

Navigating the Designated for Assignment Process

Designated for assignment (DFA) is used by MLB teams to remove players from their 40-man roster. When a player is DFA’d, he is immediately taken off the 40-man roster, opening a spot for the team to add another player. This starts the DFA process.

Once DFA’d, the team has 7 days to either trade the player or place him on irrevocable outright waivers. During this period, the player remains part of the organization but cannot play in any games. If the player is traded, the process ends there.

If the 7-day period expires, the team must outright the player to the minors by placing him on waivers. If he clears waivers unclaimed by other teams, he can be outrighted. This removes him from the 40-man roster while still belonging to the same team.

However, the player can reject an outright assignment if he has accumulated at least three years of MLB service time. In this case, he can elect free agency to sign with any team. Otherwise, the player accepts the outright assignment.

If the player is claimed on outright waivers, the claiming team takes on his contract and adds him to their own 40-man roster. There is no option to reject the assignment.

Throughout the DFA process, the player’s contract remains valid and intact. Once DFA’d, the original team can either trade, release, or outright the player while keeping him under contract. DFA provides teams with roster flexibility while the player awaits his resolution.

The intricacies of the DFA process are governed by MLB’s collective bargaining agreement. It provides teams with a procedural mechanism to shuffle their rosters during the long baseball season.

Outcomes for DFA’d Player

• Returned to 40-man roster
• Traded to another team
• Claimed off waivers by another team
• Released and becomes free agent
• Outrighted to minor leagues

Possible Outcomes When Designated for Assignment

Being designated for assignment is not necessarily the end of a player’s time with their current MLB team. There are a variety of outcomes that can occur after a player is DFA’d.

Return to 40-Man Roster

After designating a player for assignment, the team has 7 days to trade, release, or place the player on irrevocable waivers. During this initial period, the team may decide to remove the DFA designation and return the player to the 40-man roster. This scenario is rare, but provides one possible outcome.

Traded to Another Team

If the team opts to trade the DFA player within the 7-day period, his contract is assigned to the new team in exchange for another player, draft pick or cash considerations. The acquiring team inherits the player’s current contract.

Claimed Off Waivers

If the team places the player on outright waivers, any other MLB club can claim him within the designated waiver period. If claimed, the player is assigned to the new team’s 40-man roster. His contract remains valid.

Released as a Free Agent

If the player clears outright waivers with no team claiming his contract, his team can unconditionally release him. This grants the player free agency to sign with any MLB team.

Outrighted to Minors

The DFA team can also outright the player to the minor leagues after he clears waivers. This removes him from the 40-man roster while retaining his contracted services as an organizational depth player.

In summary, DFA leads to a variety of possible paths, including returning to the parent club, joining a new organization, becoming a free agent, or assignment to the minors. The outcome depends on waiver claim status and contractual details.

Strategic Uses of DFA

• Roster management flexibility
• Opportunity to trade player and get some value
• Remove underperforming or ill-fitting players

Leveraging Designated for Assignment as a Roster Strategy

Designated for assignment provides MLB teams with an important mid-season roster management tool. There are several strategic reasons clubs use DFA throughout the long 162-game season.

Roster Flexibility

DFA creates room for additions through free agent signings, trades and prospect call-ups. By quickly removing a player from the 40-man roster, his spot can be filled by a new acquisition. This facilitates roster improvements.

Opportunity to Trade

Once a player is DFA’d, the team has 7 days to potentially trade him. This allows them to get some value in return, such as a low-level prospect. While most DFA players are unwanted, some still hold appeal for certain clubs.

Removing Underperformers

DFA is commonly used by teams to cut ties with veterans or role players who are underperforming expectations. Removing the player from the roster gives opportunities to others.

Change Direction

Teams may strategically utilize DFA to change roster construction and direction. This includes trading or releasing aging, expensive veterans in order to play younger prospects.

Minor League Depth

Players who clear outright waivers can be assigned to the minors while staying with the organization. This provides 40-man roster flexibility while retaining depth.

Trial Period

DFA may be used as a low-risk trial. If the player doesn’t perform after claiming, the new team can then DFA him themselves.

In summary, DFA allows teams to shuffle the roster and provides opportunity to access depth options, evaluate new players and cut underperformers. Teams leverage the DFA transaction strategically throughout MLB seasons.

Notable Examples of DFA Transactions

• Pablo Sandoval, Adrian Gonzalez, Tim Lincecum
• Shows unpredictability of process, even for big names

Big Name Players Subject to DFA Over the Years

While lesser known players are most commonly designated for assignment, even famous MLB stars have found themselves moving through the DFA process. Some examples:

Pablo Sandoval :

After signing a 5-year, $95 million deal with the Red Sox in 2014, Sandoval massively underperformed. He was DFA’d by Boston in 2017 to make room for prospects. Sandoval was later released.

Adrian Gonzalez :

A 5-time All-Star first baseman, he was DFA’d by the Atlanta Braves in 2018 shortly after being traded there. The Braves needed roster space and parted ways with Gonzalez, despite his successful career.

Tim Lincecum :

The 2-time Cy Young Award winner found himself DFA’d in June 2016 after his dominance waned due to injuries and lost velocity. The Angels cut ties mid-season once Lincecum was no longer effective.

Alex Rodriguez :

In 2016, the Yankees DFA’d A-Rod, one of the most decorated players of his era. They subsequently released him, cutting short his massive $275 million contract.

These examples show that even players with impressive track records and large contracts are not immune to the DFA process. Teams will move on from any underperforming or ill-fitting player, using DFA as the method.

The waiver claim element of DFA also shows its unpredictability. One team deems a player expendable, only for another team to eagerly claim that player off waivers for their own roster needs.

In the end, DFA is a necessary transaction within the business of baseball. For teams, even the biggest names are movable if it improves the roster.

In conclusion, Designated for Assignment is an important contractual mechanism that allows MLB teams to strategically manage their 40-man rosters during the season. Players can be immediately removed from the roster and replaced when they are underperforming, injured, have high salaries, or there is a surplus at their position.

The DFA process involves placing the player on waivers, where any team can claim their contract in a 7-day period. If unclaimed, the team can trade, release or outright the player to the minors while keeping him under contract. Well-known players are sometimes DFA’d as well, showing the unpredictability of the process.

Teams leverage DFA transactions to shuffle their rosters, open spots for prospects, remove struggling veterans, change direction, and add organizational depth. It provides flexibility to shape MLB rosters week-to-week over the long season. While seen as a sign of failure, DFA serves an important purpose in roster construction strategy. It is an essential tool for GMs seeking to improve their ballclub.

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Lorenzo Cain was designated for assignment by the Milwaukee Brewers. Here's what that means.

Lorenzo Cain was designated for assignment by the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday before  the team's game against the Cincinnati Reds on the day he reached 10 years of MLB service.

What does designated for assignment mean and why is that milestone significant for the veteran centerfielder? 

Here's what you should know.

What does designated for assignment mean?

According to Major League Baseball , a player is removed from the 40-man roster when the player's contract is designated for assignment.

The player can be traded or be completely waived within seven days of the DFA.

If the player is claimed by another team, he can be optioned to the minor leagues or assigned to their 26-man roster. A player could reject the minor-league assignment and enter free agency based on service time, for example.

What's next for Cain?

He could retire, which is something he already said was a strong possibility after the season, or another team could sign him after he clears waivers. Cain told reporters in Cincinnati he would take a couple days to decide what his plans will be. 

Why did the Brewers designate Cain for assignment?

Cain said "it was time" and that the decision was mutual as he acknowledged he wasn't producing to his standards. Teams designate players to open a spot on their 40-man roster and usually add a new player.

The Brewers did just that with the addition of outfielder Jonathan Davis from Class AAA Nashville.

Who is Jonathan Davis ?

Davis is 30 years old and was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2013 in the 15th round. He has spent most of his career in the minors but made his MLB debut in 2018 with the Blue Jays.

He was claimed off waivers by the Yankees during the 2021 season.

This was his first season in the Brewers organization.

With the Nashville Sounds, he was batting .297, .408 OBP, .426 OPS, with 44 hits, three home runs, 18 RBI in 148 at-bats across 38 games.

He has played 134 total games in the majors with a .171 average,.272. OBP and .520 OPS.

Did MLB's 10-year pension rule have something to do with Cain being designated for assignment today?

Yes. The Brewers waited until Saturday to DFA Cain because he reached 10 years of service. 

When a player reaches that milestone, he becomes fully vested in the MLB Players Association pension. It guarantees a minimum of $68,000 a year for retired players and up to $220,000 if they wait until they’re 62.

How old is Cain?

Cain is 36 years old.

What was Cain's contract?

This was the final year of the contract Cain signed before the 2018 season. 

He signed a five-year deal worth $80 million, the largest the club had extended to a player . The Brewers signed Cain on the same day the team made the huge trade for Christian Yelich.

What were Cain's stats with the Brewers in 2022?

In 145 at-bats in 2022, Cain had a .179 average, .231 OBP and .465 OPS. He had 26 hits, one home run, nine RBI and two SB. 

What are Cain's career stats?

For his career, he has hit .283 with a .343 OBP and .750 OPS. He has 1,220 hits, 87 home runs, 454 RBI and 190 SB.

In 2018, the year in which he finished seventh in NL MVP voting, he batted .308, .395 and .812 and played in 141 games. He played in 148 games the following year, but in 2020, after five games he opted out the rest of the season during the pandemic-shortened year.

Cain returned in 2021 but injuries plagued him as he only played in 78 games and batted .257, .329 and .730.

Cain started his career with the Brewers

The Brewers drafted Cain in 2004 out of  Tallahassee Community College. He made his major-league debut in 2010 and was traded to the Kansas City Royals that December. He won a World Series with the Royals in 2015.

Cain won a Gold Glove with the Brewers

Cain for years was known as one of the best outfielders in the game and his home-run stealing grabs were must-see. He was finally rewarded with a Gold Glove in 2019.

Here is one of the most memorable catches (the 2019 season opener against the Cardinals to take away a home run in the ninth inning that ended the game).

Contact Christopher Kuhagen at 262-446-6634 or at  [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at @ckuhagen  and our newsroom Instagram accounts at MyCommunityNow and Lake Country Now .

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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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Home » What Does DFA Mean for a Baseball Player?

What Does DFA Mean for a Baseball Player?

For any professional athlete, the term “designated for assignment” (DFA) is a dreaded one. For a baseball player, it can mean the end of their career. In this article, we’ll explain what it means to be designated for assignment, why a player may be assigned, and what their options are moving forward.

What Does Designated for Assignment Mean?

Designated for assignment (DFA) is a phrase used in Major League Baseball (MLB) to describe the process by which a team removes a player from its 40-man roster. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including poor performance, a lack of playing time, or when a team needs to make room for a new player.

When a player is designated for assignment, their team has 10 days to trade them, release them, or send them to the minor leagues. If they are not traded or released within 10 days, they are automatically sent to the minor leagues.

Why Would a Player be Designated for Assignment?

There are a few reasons why a team may decide to designate a player for assignment.

Poor Performance: One of the most common reasons a player may be designated for assignment is due to poor performance. Teams want to keep players who can help them win games, and if a player is not producing, they may decide to remove them from their roster.

Lack of Playing Time: The other common reason for a DFA is a lack of playing time. This happens when a player is not getting enough playing time to remain on the team. This is often the case when a team has too many players at a certain position or when a player is out of minor league options.

Making Room for a New Player: Teams may also designate a player for assignment when they need to make room for a new player. This often happens when a team is signing a free agent or making a trade.

What Are the Options for a Player Who is Designated for Assignment?

When a player is designated for assignment, they have a few different options..

Traded: The first option is that they can be traded to another team. This is the most common option, as it allows a team to get something in return for the player they are removing from their roster.

Released: The second option is that they can be released by their team. If a team releases a player, they are no longer bound by their contract and are free to sign with any team they choose.

Sent to the Minor Leagues: The third option is that they can be sent to the minor leagues. This is the least desirable option for a player, as it means that they are not playing in the majors and are not making as much money.

Designated for assignment is a phrase used in Major League Baseball to describe the process by which a team removes a player from its 40-man roster. There are a few reasons why a team may decide to designate a player for assignment, including poor performance, lack of playing time, or making room for a new player. When a player is designated for assignment, they have a few different options, including being traded, released, or sent to the minor leagues.

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MLB options, waivers and outright assignments, explained

Here’s a glossary of what MLB transaction terms really mean.

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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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Blue Jays' Mitch White: Designated for assignment

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White was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on Tuesday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

White had permitted six earned runs with a 6:4 K:BB across 10 innings in a long-relief role for the Jays. The 29-year-old holds just a career 4.99 ERA over 62 appearances (22 starts) at the big-league level, but with an ability to serve as rotation and/or bullpen depth, it's possible there will be some interest via trade or waivers.

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MLB Trade Rumors

Astros Designate Cooper Hummel For Assignment

By Darragh McDonald | April 10, 2024 at 4:00pm CDT

The Astros have selected the contract of right-hander Spencer Arrighetti , a move that was reported last night. Right-hander Wander Suero was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land to open an active roster spot while utility player Cooper Hummel was designated for assignment to open a 40-man spot. Chandler Rome of The Athletic was among those to relay the list of transactions.

Hummel, 29, was just claimed off waivers last week but the Astros have been dealing with a notable roster churn of late. Each of Suero, Arrighetti and Blair Henley have been selected to the 40-man in the past few days, which has squeezed Hummel out of his spot.

It’s been quite a nomadic few months for Hummel, who was with the Mariners in 2023. Since December, he’s gone to the Mets, Giants and Astros via waiver claims or cash deals. It’s possible yet another jersey swap is over the horizon, as the Astros will now have a week to trade him or try to pass him through waivers.

His 227 major league plate appearances have resulted in an unimpressive batting line of .166/.264/.286 but he’s naturally been much better in the minors. From the start of 2021 through the present day, he has 992 Triple-A plate appearances. He has drawn a walk in a huge 17.3% of those while keeping his strikeout rate down to a respectable 21.2% rate. His combined batting line of .287/.419/.488 in that time translates to a wRC+ of 131.

Defensively, Hummel offers a unique level of versatility, having spent significant time behind the plate as well as the outfield corners, first base and even a small amount of time at third base. He also has one option year remaining, which means he can be kept in Triple-A for depth until needed. With less than a year of service time, he’s still not close to qualifying for arbitration or free agency.

That combination of his Triple-A offense, his defensive flexibility and his contract status clearly makes him appealing to clubs, judging by how many of them have tried to grab him since the end of last year. Taking all that into consideration, he may be on the move yet again in the days to come. If he were to finally pass through waivers unclaimed, he would stick with the Astros as non-roster depth, since he has neither the three years of service time nor the previous career outright that would give him the right to elect free agency.

10 Comments

Well, all the ceramics-collecting grandmas will be disappointed. There goes the Giveaway Promotion the Astros had named “Hummel Figure Night”.

If he makes a slight name change, they could have Hummer Night at the park. I guarantee you a sell out.

0.166 average in 199 at-bats makes him only a Mini-Cooper

Poor guy has been moved so many times in the last two months he may need to add “Suitcase” as his nickname. (Like Harry “Suitcase” Simpson.)

I hope he goes through waivers unclaimed. Seems like he has some potential

Hes 29 his potential is what you see

He may have the same resurgence that a certain player for the Rangers has. Name rhymes with Smarseeya. Below average player for years, then becomes insanely jacked, and all of a sudden hits lots of HRs.

Well, that didn’t work. Is Whitley healthy and throwing yet? Can’t be any worse than these other two jokers.

I really feel for some of these pitchers Henley and Spencer not having their best starts. Nor Suero on 2 pitches gets sent back down. They do have an open spot I think it said. Wonder who will put in that spot. Save it for Verlander

This rotation and more stinks. Many players not great right now. Pena started hot and is cooling down. Alvarez took time but I still think him and Tucker and even Bregman at 2 – 4 spots are not working. Not like in previous years. Bregman at least had his struggles with number 2 or 3 but he did hit better than now.

Chas is even struggling and saw articles he would slip this season. Meyers started fair but even he is going downhill.

Abreu is the WORST right now. Singleton right behind him. Kessinger is sitting but he can’t take first as with that spot we need more production. Dubon even though like him on bench right now may have to come in somewhere. Just do not know what they will do. I thought Espada would be better than this being under Dusty and more. But not sure if our hitting coaches and even Miller stink as coaches this season.

It does not look any better with Brown pitching tomorrow. He may last 2 to 4 innings and think will need 10 from him to spell bullpen.

I doubt we make October this season. We need to pick it up. I had thought maybe were turning things after last 2 wins with Rangers but we can’t even beat the Royals again. They are better this season. But will it last.

But how will Crane feel now with this team just imploding. He did interview on Great Day Houston and was on cloud 9. Said we would have a fantastic season. We didn’t need much during off season. Dana said same. But I think we are going to fall on our faces for a bit. Perhaps back to 100 loss season.

Sadly, Brown lasted 2/3 of an inning.

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Baltimore Orioles Infielder Cut For Jackson Holliday Signs With New Team

It didn't take long for a former Baltimore Orioles player to find his next team after being designated for assignment following the promotion of their top prospect.

• Author: Brad Wakai

In this story:

Professional sports is inherently a cutthroat business with teams always looking to replace a player with someone who might be better, more cost-effective, or even younger.

Over the next couple years, that is going to be the situation for the Baltimore Orioles .

Because they have so many talented prospects ready to start playing at the Major League level, many of the established veterans are going to find themselves receiving less time on the field, or even, finding themselves with a new team.

That's what happened for a veteran player the Orioles signed this offseason to give their roster some depth.

Tony Kemp inked a one-year, $1 million deal in March to be their second baseman.

For the most part, it seemed like Baltimore was using him as a placeholder until they were ready to call up the No. 1 prospect in baseball, Jackson Holliday.

It turned out that was the case when they made the call to promote the superstar youngster on April 10. To make room for him on the roster, they had to designate Kemp for assignment where he ultimately elected free agency instead of going to Triple-A.

Kemp was extremely understanding about the situation, and being a nine-year veteran in the MLB, he's certainly seen his fair share of circumstances like this as well.

But, the short-stinted Oriole won't have to wait long to be playing baseball again as Jon Heyman of The New York Post reported that he signed a deal with the Minnesota Twins .

There actually might be more of a path to playing time for Kemp on his next team since they are dealing with an injury to their star shortstop, Carlos Correa, that currently has him on the injured list.

Ultimately, for the infielder to stick with a team, he's going to have to show he can perform on offense. He was 0-9 during his five games with Baltimore and is coming off a season in 2023 where he slashed .209/.303/.304 with an OPS+ of 74.

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