"Clubs generally try to avoid stacking too many veteran players who either lack minor league options or have the five-plus years of service needed in order to have say over a potential optional assignment to the minors. Having too many players who can't be optioned can set a club back when there's a player or two who needs a couple days off but does not need a full IL stint."
"It's also common in today's game for clubs to aggressively shuffle their bullpens over the course of a season, too; a lack of optionable players can create a headache for clubs after a blowout or marathon extra-inning game that taxes the majority of the pitching staff. Being able to summon a fresh arm or two from Triple-A without needing to pass someone else through waivers is crucial to preserving depth and keeping a team's best arms healthy."
"Around 20% of the league has a very limited number of players who can be sent down without needing to clear waivers, and that could lead to some tough decisions for those clubs as Opening Day draws near."
During spring training, MLB teams must manage roster construction carefully, balancing non-roster veterans and prospects competing for spots. A critical consideration involves minor league options—teams aim to avoid accumulating too many players who cannot be optioned to the minors without clearing waivers. Players with five-plus years of service time or those exhausted of options create constraints. Limited optionable depth complicates mid-season adjustments, particularly for bullpen management during blowouts or extended games requiring fresh arms from Triple-A. About one-fifth of MLB clubs operate with significantly restricted flexibility in roster maneuvering, creating strategic challenges as the season approaches.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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