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Three Key Issues to Watch in Baseball’s Post-Holiday Offseason
As the post-holiday offseason in baseball continues, there are several key issues to keep an eye on. In this article, we’ll be discussing three major topics that have the potential to shape the league in the coming weeks and months.
The First: Giants’ 40-Man Roster Changes
The San Francisco Giants have reportedly signed Hall of Famer Justin Verlander to a one-year contract. This move is a surprising one, given Verlander’s recent performances. Last season, he had a 5.48 ERA and a 4.78 FIP in 17 starts with the Astros. While there are certainly risks involved in signing a 38-year-old pitcher, Verlander’s pedigree is difficult to ignore. He was the 2022 AL Cy Young Award winner and is expected to be a key addition to the Giants’ starting rotation.
However, before Verlander can begin working with the Giants, he needs to be officially added to the 40-man roster. This could happen as early as today, when the team needs to clear a roster spot. The most common approach is to simply designate a player for assignment, although some clubs may choose to make trades to free up space.
The Second: Potential Extensions and Waiver Circuits
Yesterday, the Tampa Bay Rays finalized a contract extension with right-hander Drew Rasmussen. The deal guarantees Rasmussen an annual salary of $8.5 million and covers his final two years of arbitration. The looming deadline for players and teams to exchange data before arbitration hearings played a significant role in the deal. Most arbitration-level players typically agree to trades before the deadline, making the days leading up to the deadline a natural time for clubs to discuss long-term extensions with players. Given the approaching deadline, it’s possible we may see other extensions within the next day and a half, at the very least, some one-year deals should be struck early today.
The Third: Players in DFA Limbo
With the holiday offseason officially behind us, players who were assigned to deferment during the league office’s closure can finally come to their long-awaited conclusions. This applies to two players, infielder Braden Shewmake, who was designated for assignment by the White Sox on New Year’s Day, and left-handed pitcher Bailey Horn, who was DFA by the Tigers over the holidays to prepare for Gleyber Torres’ sign. At this point, the trade window for any player appears to have passed. Both have been cleared. The next step for Shewmake and Horn is either to clear waivers, allowing their clubs to move them directly to the minors as non-roster depth, or be claimed by a new club and retain a 40-man roster spot at another club.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is a 40-man roster in baseball?
A 40-man roster is the list of players that a team has declared to be part of their major league team.
2. What is a designated for assignment (DFA)?
A DFA is a move made by a team to remove a player from their 40-man roster. This is often done to make room for a new player or to free up space on the active roster.
3. What is a waiver claim?
A waiver claim is when a team claims a player who has been designated for assignment (DFA) from another team. This allows the claiming team to add the player to their 40-man roster.
Conclusion:
As the post-holiday offseason continues, there are several key issues to keep an eye on. The Giants’ 40-man roster changes, potential extensions, and players in DFA limbo are just a few of the topics that have the potential to shape the league in the coming weeks and months. As teams move to solidify their rosters, we can expect to see more activity in the coming days and weeks. For now, it’s clear that Verlander’s return to the Giants, the fate of players in DFA limbo, and the potential for extensions will be crucial developments to monitor.
