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.

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

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

What is DFA in baseball

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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Designated for Assignment in Baseball: Key Rules and Strategies

define designated for assignment

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

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

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

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

Designate for Assignment Definition

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DFA Process

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

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

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

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

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

Strategies and Implications

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why Do Players Get DFA (Designated for Assignment)?

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

What Does It Mean to Be Designated for Assignment?

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

Why Do Teams Designate Players for Assignment?

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

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

Underperformance

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

Roster Considerations

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

Implications of Being Designated for Assignment

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

Process of Being DFA’d

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

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

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Baseball Basics

Bits Of Baseball: What Does DFA Mean in Baseball

A. Coatess

FACT-CHECKED BY

Sean Hunter

what does dfa mean in baseball

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

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

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

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

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

designate-for-assignment

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

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

dfa-baseball

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2. The player is released and becomes a free agent

3. The player is traded into another team

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3. A player returning for activation from the injured list

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

designated-for-assignment

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

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

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

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

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

Sean-Hunter

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

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Designated For Assignment Meaning Baseball [DFA Explained]

By Salim Prajapati , On 28 April 2023 03:54 AM

DFA has been actively implemented during the 2023 season

Designated For Assignment meaning baseball is the provision to expel a player from the 40 man team roster. DFA rule has been a part of MLB since 1985.

This contractual jargon allows teams to remove a player from their log and open up a spot for another player while leaving the DFA'd player with several options to continue playing with the same team or another.

After that, the team will have a maximum of seven days to decide what to do with the player: trade, release or transfer to the Minor League.

Before 2017, a time restraint of 10 days was enforced as the norm 2012-16 Collective Bargaining Agreement instead of 7 days.

In April 2023, Arizona Diamondbacks triggered the DFA on the club's pitcher Madison Bumgarner . Bumgarner, who signed a sumptuous $85 million, 5-year agreement with Arizona in 2019, saw himself dropped on waivers. 

What Does It Mean To Be Designated For Assignment?

Designated For Assignment is a baseball term used in MLB which means the process of removing a player from the team roster.

When a baseball player is designated for assignment, he becomes ineligible to play on the Major League team for at least seven days until his team makes a judgment on what to do with the player.

Dodgers star Max Muncy with 11th home run of the 2022-23 season

To reach a definitive decision regarding the player in question and simultaneously open up their 40-man roster spot for another player, the club must ensure the complete expulsion of the player within the allocated 7-day timeframe.

When a player is designated for assignment, the team has to perform one of the following moves within the next seven days. 

  • Put the player on Waiver wire
  • Trade the player to another team
  • Release the player from their contract
  • Option the player to the minor leagues 

Milwaukee Brewers DFA Lorenzo Cain

Let's look at the example of former MLB center fielder Lorenzo Cain . The Milwaukee Brewers picked Cain in the 2010 draft but was immediately sold to the Kansas City Royals after a year in 2011.

In 2018, Milwaukee re-signed Cain and struck a substantial deal with Cain, sealing his presence in the club until January 2023 with a significant five-year contract worth $80 million.

Lorenzo Cain retired from professional baseball in March 2023

However, in June 2022, six months before his contract expired, the Brewers designated Cain for assignment following a series of lackluster performances.

He was placed on waivers within seven days of action, but Cain subsequently cleared the waivers and was released by the club, ultimately becoming an unrestricted free agent.

Lorenzo brought an end to his blazing MLB career on March 7, 2023. He was included in the MLB All-Star two times and won the World Series championship in 2015

Designated For Assignment MLB

Designated For Assignment meaning in MLB describes the contractual agreement. In baseball, it means to dismiss a player from the team's 40-man roster.

An MLB team possesses the full authority to designate for assignment any player from their roster, provided the club deems the player's services unnecessary or for various other reasons.

Former MLB player David Aardsma was DFA'd by White Sox in 2008

When a baseball player is designated for assignment (DFA), the team has seven days to either bring the player back to the 40-man roster, put the player on waivers, trade, release, or outright the player to the Minor Leagues.

If the team chooses to outright the player, he will be withdrawn from the 40-man roster and sent to the Minor Leagues. However, if the player clears waivers, he may either be sent outright to the Minor Leagues or released.

After the player clears waivers, the club has to release him from the contract, and he becomes a free agent and can sign with any team, even the team that just released him.

Madison Bumgarner Designated For Assignment

The 33-year-old MLB pitcher Madison Bumgarner has been placed on DFA by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The club released a statement on Thursday, April 20, 2023, stating that Madison, who joined the club in 2020, was designated for assignment. 

The Arizona Diamondbacks placed Bumgarner on DFA in April 2023

The Diamondbacks are preparing to put the baseball pitcher through the waiver wire. Since Bumgarner has more than five-year experience of playing in the MLB, he has to agree to be sent to the minor leagues. In other words, Madison has to give their consent to be assigned to a minor league team.

Bumgarner agreed to join Arizona in December 2019 for five years and $85 million. He still has $34 million left to be paid until the end of next season.

DFA Is Used While Adding Newly Acquired Player To Roster

DFA comes into play for various reasons, one being when a team intends to add a newly acquired player to their roster.

A Major League Baseball team employs the DFA mechanism for several motives, which include injury, poor performance, or when they plan to incorporate a recently acquired player into the team register.

Reasons Why A Team DFA A Player

  • To make room for new players
  • A player is injured
  • A string of poor performances
  • To maintain roster flexibility
  • Rule 5 Draft

If a player is not performing up to expectations or is injured and is expected to miss an entire season, or to shield a minor league player from being selected in the Rule 5 Draft, or to add new players, a team may activate the DFA.

Mike Adams was designated in 2006

Though the precise inaugural inception of The Designated for Assignment (DFA) rule is not clear, some reports claim it was first implemented by MLB in 1985.

The use of this terminology can be traced back to the 1970s, a time when the media first started incorporating this phrase into their vernacular.

The Official Professional Baseball Rules Book oversees the MLB player trades and mentions the DFA rule in its pages.

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

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

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

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

Table of Contents

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

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

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

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

What is the 40-man roster? 

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

What are Waivers? 

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

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

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

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

Albert Pujols DFA shocked the baseball world

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

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

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

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

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

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

Options for a Major League Baseball Team with a DFAed Player 

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

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

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

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

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

Place the player on waivers 

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

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

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

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

What happens when a player gets DFA

Trade the player

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

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

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

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

Release the player

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

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

Option a Baseball Player – What does it mean? 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What Happens When Major League Player is Released?

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

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

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

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

Covid pendemic and DFA rule created a limbo for some players

Major DFA incidents in the History of the Major League 

Albert pujols.

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

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

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

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

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

Chris Gimenez

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

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

Chris Young

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions 

Why is it called designated for assignment.

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

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

What does DFAed mean? 

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

Is there any DFA in Minor Leagues?

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

Conclusion 

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

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

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

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

Jason Butler_Honest Baseball

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

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

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What does designated for assignment DFA mean in baseball?

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Introduction

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

Know more: What is a save in baseball

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

Know more: How many player on a baseball team

DFA in Baseball

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

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

Checkout: How to hold a baseball bat

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

Checkout the meaning of: Designated for Assignment in Basball

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

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MLB options, waivers and outright assignments, explained

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

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Seattle Mariners v Detroit Tigers

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

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

Here is how they work.

What are waivers?

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

What are MLB options?

An option (optional assignment) allows a club to move a player on its 40-man roster to and from the minor leagues without exposing him to other teams.

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

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

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

There are three types of waivers.

Outright waivers

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

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

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

Release waivers

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

Special waivers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

define designated for assignment

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define designated for assignment

What does it mean to be designated for assignment?

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

Why do teams designate players for assignment?

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

What happens to a player who is designated for assignment?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3. How can a player appeal a DFA decision?

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

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

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

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

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

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What does designated for assignment 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.

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

Designated for assignment

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

Place the player on waivers [ ]

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

Trade the player [ ]

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

Release the player [ ]

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

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Mets Designate Julio Teheran For Assignment

By Darragh McDonald and Leo Morgenstern | April 9, 2024 at 2:55pm CDT

The Mets have designated right-handed pitcher Julio Teheran for assignment, according to an announcement from the club. In a corresponding move, the team selected right-hander Dedniel Núñez from Triple-A Syracuse.

Teheran and the club just agreed to a one-year, $2.5MM deal last week, but Tim Healey of Newsday reports today that the contract was non-guaranteed and prorated with Teheran collecting $54K for his brief stint on the roster, though Healey also adds that Teheran’s prorated deal will continue to pay him while he’s in DFA limbo.

Teheran took the ball for the Mets last night against a tough Atlanta lineup and clearly struggled. It took him 68 pitches to get through 2 2/3 innings, allowing four earned runs via six hits and two walks, striking out three in the process.

The Mets were put in a position to need an extra starting pitcher by some recent injuries. They knew long ago that David Peterson had hip surgery and wouldn’t be an option early in this season, but then Kodai Senga was diagnosed with a moderate posterior capsule strain in his throwing shoulder in late February. That left a spot open for a depth arm like Tylor Megill , Joey Lucchesi or Jose Buttó . Megill won that job but then suffered a right shoulder strain after just one start.

Neither Lucchesi nor Buttó could be recalled right away to replace Megill since they were optioned to start the season and an optional assignment comes with a 15-day minimum stay. An exception that rule is allowed for a double-header, which is why Buttó was allowed to be the club’s “27th man” and pitch on April 4, but he wasn’t allowed to stay after due to the 15-day rule. Teheran filled that rotation job for one outing but it seems Buttó will be coming up this weekend once he’s eligible, per Tim Healey of Newsday and Mike Puma of The New York Post .

The Mets will now have a week to trade Teheran or try to pass him through waivers. The latter scenario will largely be a moot point since Teheran is a veteran with well over five years of major league service time, meaning he can reject an outright assignment in favor of electing free agency.

Teheran had a bit of a bounceback year in 2023, tossing 71 2/3 innings over 11 starts and three relief appearances with a 4.40 earned run average. He only struck out 17.4% of batters faced but limited walks to a 4.5% clip. Those results aren’t super exciting but still were a bit of a return to form for him. He didn’t pitch in the majors at all in 2022 and was only allowed to take the ball once in 2021 after he posted an ERA of 10.05 for the Angels in the shortened 2020 season.

Prior to that, he was a mainstay in the Atlanta rotation, making 222 starts from 2013 to 2019 with a 3.64 ERA, 21.1% strikeout rate and 8.1% walk rate. Last year’s performance with the Brewers wasn’t quite at that level but was a turnaround after three challenging years. Given the enormous amount of pitching injuries around the league right now, it’s possible that Teheran will garner interest from clubs in search of innings.

Núñez, 28 in June, has not yet appeared in a major league game but he does have one year of major league service time. That’s because the Giants selected him from the Mets in the 2020 Rule 5 draft but he required Tommy John surgery before the 2021 season started and he eventually spent all of that year on the injured list, with the Giants returning him to the Mets after that year.

He split 2023 between Double-A and Triple-A with a 5.53 ERA in 57 innings, striking out 26.8% of batters faced but also walking 12.3%. He has thrown 3 1/3 scoreless innings at Triple-A so far this year, with five strikeouts and just one walk. Back in February, Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs mentioned Núñez as a pitcher who could debut for the Mets this year thanks to his high 90s heat, but also expressed concerns about the lack of control.

86 Comments

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Wait wtf They just signed him for $5 mil Hahahahha The muts are back The never ending freak show circus

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More like 8 mil w all the penalties they are under. Cut him for deez nuts too lol

And literally all of ya’ll were saying “great signing! Give him a chance! Solid vet!”

And i was like yo thats millions you can flush down a toilet

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Enough already. No one anywhere said it was a great signing,. Everyone trashed, or at least questioned it.

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The $5m figure is already including the taxes and penalties. The actual contract was $2.5m

mets got solid arms in AAA Bring em up see what they got

Scott, vasil, hamel Mets arent going anywhere this yr Might as well have a look @ the prospects I know cohen is a billionaire But signing useless garbage vets is a detriment to the team & development of young guys

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Read the article. It was a non-guaranteed contract, they owe him 54k.

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It’s a lot more fun for these geniuses to not read the article and then throw around numbers that aren’t even close to reality

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Or they posted before the article was updated to include the details …

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The original article on MLBTR on April 3rd states that Tehran’s contract is guaranteed. That article also contains a link to Anthony DiComo’s tweet announcing the signing that also states that it was a guaranteed contract.

Now MLBTR is saying it is not guaranteed (although the original posting of this article did not include those details, hence some of the comments here).

Seems to be some confusion about this.

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Reading is hard.

' src=

They literally signed him until they are allowed to call up Butto. Really a common baseball move that cost them 54k for an emergency spot start. Not really sure what you are getting worked up over.

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The signing was pro-rated. $54,000 for the time on the roster, plus the DFA time. The Mets took a gamble flyer while limiting the risk.

Ya know its real easy to defend this AFTER it became known it was a non guaranteed signing

But at the moment of the signing, during his time with mets and even after they DFAd him nobody mentioned it was non guaranteed. That little tiny insignificant detail was revealed later.

In any event muts are trash. Keep signing garbage vets. They spent millions on JD, wendle, bader, dj stewart, ji man choi… for f sake they have an entire farm system full of young bats and arms. Instead they take a “flier” on teheran?? And ya’ll continue to defend this pathetic poorly run organization? Dang i genuinely feel sorry for ya’ll ignorant sad hopeless fools

So this is how you defend your instant jumping on some news to trash talk the Mets? You talk rationally for two paragraphs excusing yourself and then finish with a third paragraph of more trash talk about the Mets plus an ad hominen attack on their fans. That doesn’t speak very well about who you are.

God bless you.

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That was fast lol

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Jimmy John Fast

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Guess Cohen is sick of the garbage and is actually doing something about it. About damn time lol

Why sign him for 5 million then ?

Yes, it was a bad move by the Mets. That said, it wasn’t $5 million…no idea where you got that number. It was $2.5 million plus $400,000 in incentives (that he will clearly not reach). Its actually a split contract that would pay him $150,000 in the minor leagues. As a veteran, he has the right to refuse the assignment, and the Mets would be on the hook for the entire $2.5 mil minus anything he gets if another team signs him. (probably the $770K minimum). Its up to him to decide what is more valuable at this point: the money, or the opportunity to keep pitching and get called up again later this year.

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with the CBT tax, the Mets are paying 5 million

The $5m figure is what it costs if you include the 110% tax rate they paid on it. But either way, it doesn’t matter, because it’s a sunk cost and the only question now is whether they think he’s worth a roster spot, and a lot of teams chase the mistake by doubling down and giving them more bad starts. If they didn’t like what they saw, cutting ties is the right move.

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Good question if you’re trying to make a point

Terrible question if you’re actually asking your average MLBTR reader to be coherent.

Well because I’m reality it’s costing them a 100k for a spot start until they are allowed to call up Butto.

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Mets honestly Don’t bother with Filihok. He is just a miserable troll who calls names and doesn’t know what words he uses mean. Acts like he is smarter than everyone but nothing could be further from the truth.

Nah He’ll just replace him with other garbage lol

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#49 will be available in Citi Field game worn kiosk by Friday night.

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What an organization

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5 million for 2.2 innings, great work if you can get it!

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2.4M. The rest is fees paid to the leagure.

I guess you don’t read articles. It’s only costing them 54k for the start. His contract is guaranteed.

The article has been updated several times throught the day; as the 54k was not referenced at the time of my comment.

' src=

Cohen dancing around, playing with his money again and not caring when it doesn’t pan out.

' src=

Mike Clevinger was available for close to the same amount. Sure he would have lasted more than a week

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Julio Teheran’s contract is pro-rated.

Not exactly. It is a split contract, and those are usually pro-rated. But Spotrac/Cot’s Contracts lists the $2.5million as guaranteed. The pslit probably only applies if he accepts the minor league assignment. He has enough service time to refuse assignment, become a free agent, and still get the money.

I made the presumption that he would accept the assignment. He’s barely had a ST as a late-signer. I doubt any team is going to claim him after his first start results.

He was in ST with Baltimore. He only became an FA on 3/20. For the most part, I agree with you – he should need a tune-up or two after three weeks off. But before he signed, there was a report that he wanted a major league gig and was unwilling to tale a minor league assignment. Admittedly, that does not jibe with him signing a split contract. Perhaps the spoken agreement with Stearns was that they would give him a shot in the big league first, then go from there. Either way, I’m not presuming anything.

' src=

In a regular MLB contract Teheran would be guaranteed his full salary even if he refuses the minor league assignment. And a new MLB team would only be on the hook for league minimum.

But on a split contract I believe the team only pays if the player accepts the minor league assignment, and typically at a reduced rate. If the player refuses the assignment he’s a free agent and can negotiate a completely new contract with any team.

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The 1 start will cost the Mets ~100k.

' src=

mlb.com/glossary/transactions/non-guaranteed-contr…

@Geofft No he only gets pro-rated portion since it’s a split deal

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I bet this was an agreed arrangement- he goes to AAA, gets 2 starts there, and comes back…

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Brewers could use him

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They shouldn’t have signed him in the first place!!!

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Must be he can’t refuse an assignment. And with the contract it makes it less likely he gets claimed. If someone does claim him, then you’re off the hook for salary

So basically, it’s functioning like he has an option year

If he can refuse an assignment, then it makes no sense, unless there’s something in the contract that voids his salary if he refuses an assignment

Any team claiming him would pay the pro-rated league min.

Maybe the Orioles will bring him back in some sort of Washy Washy Scheme

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wonder if..

DFA’ing him see if another team bites to let go of some of the salary. But if no one bites, putting him in AAA for a handful of innings to get game action he didn’t get in spring to get him to game speed.

2023 seemed to be a over all respectable year. Not great but not the worst for a 5/6th pitcher

' src=

Remember when MLB used to give players more than one game to audition? The roster churn these days is frantic.

And if you’re getting 1 game as the audition, how about not vs. the team you were with for 9 years and you faced twice (with MIL) last year, where the 2nd time in Truist he was hammered (3 HR; inc. Ozuna, whom also HR’d against him yesterday). Honestly, his stuff would play better against most everyone else with Bryce Harper being the exception.

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I’m confused on the rationale given in this article to bring in Teheran instead of Lucchesi or Butto. If Megill was injured, wouldn’t putting him on the 15 day IL allow for one of them to come up instead of signing Teheran?

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I believe they used that spot for Reed Garrett, may have overlapped with the Ramirez suspension. But yes, in theory they could have used that spot for a starter.

So technically, they could have recalled either pitcher but chose not to do so.

@ Baseball77 Yes, you’re right. Butto would seem to be the better move. That said. Butto, despite his recent major league success (in a small sample), has been chronically inconsistent and/or medioce at AAA. Its only a matter of time before whatever caused those results surfaces in the majors as well. The club’s priority with Butto, IMO, is to develop him into a regular starter for next year when he is out of options and the rotation is losing 3 or 4 pieces. Not use him as quad-A roster filler. There will be more opportunities to call him up later in the season. Lucchesi was held out of most of ST because of issues with arm strength. He pitched well in his first AAA start, but got hit hard in his second. My guess is that this whole charade was to pacify Teheran’s stated desire for a big league opportunity, while eventually getting him into his minor league salary of $150K. He can then sit there as a depth piece, and also work with Stearns’ pitching lab people who managed to get serviceable results out of Teheran last year in Milwaukee.

There is some weird rule not allowing Butto to be called for 15 days.

When a player gets optioned to the minor leagues, he cannot be recalled for 15 days, unless it is for an injury replacement. Megill was injured and placed on the IL. Not sure why neither could be called up when the rules would have allowed it. I think the writers missed something on this article.

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This is a comedy. With so few good pitchers for 30 teams and they talk about expansion? Crazy!

Expanding means being able to stretch the definition of “good”. Problem solved!

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Contraction can be a wonderful thing.

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He’ll end up in the Mets minors.

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He’ll get a second chance with pitchers falling left & right…

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Blah blah blah

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That’s what they get for signing a crappy pitcher

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How does that song go? Bomb, bomb, bomb; bomb, bomb…Teheran.

Mr. Filihok–you do realize that in baseball lingo a “bomb” is a home run, right. So, as usual, I was making a pun, not a political statement.

I wouldn’t mind getting paid $54K for a few days of work.

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This is the David Stearns we know and love.

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This smells like a potential addition to the Red Sox rotation for better or for worse.

Or Braves, Astros, Guardians, Marlins, Nationals just from this week’s injuries. Might be easier to list teams who haven’t recently lost a starter.

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Don’t believe the Braves would want him back… yikes

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The Mets pitching staff is now officially Ded-as a door-niel. And Teheran once again proved to be war-torn. Just the Mets operating with the Reset button. ( Resetting for 2025). The kiddie corps are taking their lumps early on. Both Vasil and Hamel have been hit hard early. It’ll be Butto or bust for now.

What the kids have done in just one start is irrelevant. They were never going to be considerations this early in the season. Butto should be the top depth option right now, and he should be given at least 2 or3 starts, even if he struggles. But Lucchesi may also be a consideration. (One great start, one bad one thus far). If Megill is not back by the time those two options are exhausted, Teheran could accept a minor league assignment, Kranick has started his rehab assignment.

He looked good at the end of last year and wasn’t entirely terrible in his one start for the Mets. No team has enough depth in their pitching rotation. Somebody will pick him up.

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I don’t understand why GMs make a decision based on so little innings.

Just speculating -Part of the reasons could be limited roster spots (DFA and all the specific CBA rules)and short term pressure to win at any level.

Players become nomads bouncing between multiple teams but sometimes can accept a minor league position as a last resort.

Logistical career hassles, paying their dues I guess until they can put up decent statistics. If $ is still better than a traditional job they’ll put up with it.

How do you make a good correct judgement on a player after less than 3 IP or 30 at bats?

Educated Guess/a scouts guy instinct in conjunction with coaches. You are liable to miss out on some players that need some time to show their best talent. Last year about 70 IP with a 4.5 ERA with MIL and 2024 ST with BAL.

Julio doesn’t have to but I bet the NYM hope he agrees to go to AAA for a month or 2 and if not brought up he can opt out and be a free agent again keeping decent amount of $

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I called him a has been when they signed him and got laughed at, the owner must have been desperate to sign him, he should have retired, I do feel bad for the guy, at least he gave it a go.

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We’ll take him in Cleveland.

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If only Trevor Bauer’s last name was Baez, he’d be in baseball right now. Julio Urias will get a deal before him. Its plain and obvious, the MLB holds the hispanic players to lower standards. Thats why you see guys like Familia, German, Chapman, Reyes, etc. get so many opportunities to play yet a CY Young calibur pitcher is sitting at home right now eating potato chips

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You’re on the wrong article.

@young. I think he’s on the wrong meds

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Urias the domestic abuser is finished just like the incel king.

Imagine putting Julio up against his old club, many of the current hitters faced him whilst he was with the Brewers so they had familiarity. Imagine giving him 1 start and dfa’ing him, very fair indeed. Julio will be better off being away from this organisation and finding an opportunity elsewhere. I feel sorry for Acuna’s brother being in this organisation, hopefully he can escape as well.

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The Mets are a mess

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COMMENTS

  1. Designated for assignment

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

  2. Designate for Assignment (DFA)

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

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

    Being designated for assignment is different than being optioned to the minors, though sometimes the two can overlap. Players early in their careers have option years, during which they can be ...

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

    Mark Faller, Arizona Republic. Thu, Sep 7, 2023 · 3 min read. The Arizona Diamondbacks designated Nick Ahmed for assignment after Wednesday's 12-5 win over the Colorado Rockies. Ahmed, the ...

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

    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.

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

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

  7. 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 ...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Designated for assignment (DFA) is a term used in baseball to describe a move by a team to remove a player from its active roster. The reasons why players get DFA can vary, but the most common reasons include injury, underperformance, and roster considerations. The implications of being DFA'd can be significant for a player's career and the ...

  12. What Does DFA Mean in Baseball?

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

  13. Designated For Assignment Meaning Baseball [DFA Explained]

    Designated For Assignment meaning in MLB describes the contractual agreement. In baseball, it means to dismiss a player from the team's 40-man roster. An MLB team possesses the full authority to designate for assignment any player from their roster, provided the club deems the player's services unnecessary or for various other reasons. ...

  14. designated for assignment

    A Definition of Designated For Assignment. Term Definition: designated for assignment Definition. Said of a player whose team opens a roster spot while waiting for the player to clear waivers. The team must trade or release him within ten days or reassign him (if he accepts) to a minor-league team within seven days. Since there are certain ...

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

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

  16. Designated for Assignment

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

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

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

  18. MLB options, waivers and outright assignments, explained

    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.

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

    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.

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

    Here's a look at the MLB designated for assignment process. The Arizona Diamondbacks designated pitcher Madison Bumgarner for assignment on Thursday after his latest rough outing on Wednesday ...

  21. Designated for assignment

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

  22. Designated for assignment

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

  23. What Does Designated for Assignment Mean?

    When a player is designated for assignment, often shortened to DFA'd, they are removed from the team's 40-man roster. From there, the team has seven days to trade the player to another team or place him on irrevocable outright waivers. It's not a place where players ever want to find themselves, but as teams move through the season and ...

  24. Mets Designate Julio Teheran For Assignment

    The Mets have designated right-handed pitcher Julio Teheran for assignment, according to an announcement from the club. In a corresponding move, the team selected right-hander Dedniel Núñez from ...

  25. Federal Register :: Update of the Communications Uses Program, Cost

    The USFS definition provides more context for the type of vegetation and defines a hazard tree as: [l]ikely to cause substantial damage to the powerline facility; disrupt powerline facility service; come within 10 feet of the powerline facility; or come within the minimum vegetation clearance distance as determined in accordance with applicable ...