Every spring at MLBTR, we publish a list of players who are out of minor league options and, thusly, cannot be sent to the minor leagues without first clearing outright waivers. Option status is particularly relevant as teams set their rosters prior to Opening Day, given that a lack of minor league options is often a key reason a certain player will make the roster over another who had a superior spring performance (or, as with yesterday’s Blue Jays/White Sox trade, can be a contributing factor in a trade).
The following is a list of all 40-man players throughout the league with fewer than five years of service time — players with more than five years of service can refuse an optional assignment — and no minor league options remaining. We’ve included players who have signed extensions or multi-year deals, even though they’re often less likely to be optioned.
Angels
- Jaime Barria, RHP
- Mike Mayers, RHP
- Jose Quijada, LHP
- Tyler Wade, INF
Athletics
- Domingo Acevedo, RHP
- Austin Allen, C
- Paul Blackburn, RHP
- Skye Bolt, OF
- Deolis Guerra, RHP
- Brent Honeywell Jr., RHP
- Tony Kemp, 2B
- Frankie Montas, RHP
Blue Jays
- Ryan Borucki, LHP
- Trevor Richards, RHP
- Raimel Tapia, OF
Braves
- Orlando Arcia, INF
- Tyler Matzek, LHP
- Sean Newcomb, LHP
Brewers
- Trevor Gott, RHP
- Adrian Houser, RHP
- Pedro Severino, C
- Tyrone Taylor, OF
- Rowdy Tellez, 1B
Cardinals
- Aaron Brooks, RHP
- Edmundo Sosa, INF
- Drew VerHagen, RHP
Cubs
- Michael Hermosillo, OF
- Alec Mills, RHP
- Rafael Ortega, OF
Diamondbacks
- Sergio Alcantara, INF
- Noe Ramirez, RHP
- Christian Walker, 1B
- J.B. Wendelken, RHP
Dodgers
- Evan Phillips, RHP
Giants
- Tyler Beede, RHP
- Mauricio Dubon, INF/OF
- Thairo Estrada, INF
- Jarlin Garcia, LHP
- Darin Ruf, 1B/OF
- LaMonte Wade Jr., 1B/OF
Guardians
- Logan Allen, LHP
- Bobby Bradley, 1B
- Yu Chang, INF
- Anthony Gose, LHP
- Luke Maile, C
- Oscar Mercado, OF
- Bradley Zimmer, OF
Mariners
- Chris Flexen, RHP
- Marco Gonzales, LHP
- Tom Murphy, C
- Casey Sadler, RHP
- Paul Sewald, RHP
- Luis Torrens, C
Marlins
- Steven Okert, LHP
- Jacob Stallings, C
Mets
- Tomas Nido, C
- Sean Reid-Foley, RHP
- Joely Rodriguez, LHP
Nationals
- Erick Fedde, RHP
- Patrick Murphy, RHP
- Tanner Rainey, RHP
- Austin Voth, RHP
Orioles
- Kelvin Gutierrez, 3B
- Jorge Lopez, RHP
- Jorge Mateo, INF/OF
- Cionel Perez, LHP
- Ramon Urias, INF
Padres
- Austin Adams, RHP
- Jorge Alfaro, C/OF
- Javy Guerra, RHP
- Pierce Johnson, RHP
- Nick Martinez, RHP
Phillies
- James Norwood, RHP
Pirates
- Anthony Alford, OF
- Greg Allen, OF
- Anthony Banda, LHP
- Dillon Peters, LHP
- Chris Stratton, RHP
- Duane Underwood Jr., RHP
- Josh VanMeter, 2B/OF
- Daniel Vogelbach, 1B
Rangers
- Albert Abreu, RHP
- Dennis Santana, RHP
Rays
- JT Chargois, RHP
- Ji-Man Choi, 1B
- Brett Phillips, OF
- Brooks Raley, LHP
- Harold Ramirez, OF
Red Sox
- Christian Arroyo, 2B
- Austin Davis, LHP
- Nick Pivetta, RHP
Reds
- Aristides Aquino, OF
- Luis Cessa, RHP
- Jeff Hoffman, RHP
- Lucas Sims, RHP
Rockies
- Yonathan Daza, OF
- Antonio Senzatela, RHP
- Robert Stephenson, RHP
Royals
- Amir Garrett, LHP
- Adalberto Mondesi, INF
- Joel Payamps, RHP
Tigers
- Jeimer Candelario, 3B
- Dustin Garneau, C
- Eric Haase, C
Twins
- Jharel Cotton, RHP
- Nick Gordon, INF/OF
- Gio Urshela, 3B/SS
White Sox
- Micker Adolfo, OF
- Reynaldo Lopez, RHP
- Reese McGuire, C
- Jose Ruiz, RHP
- Seby Zavala, C
Yankees
- Kyle Higashioka, C
- Clay Holmes, RHP
- Lucas Luetge, LHP
Pedro 4 Delino
Who cursed the Mets, Padres, and Angels?
I want to see Tatis, Trout, Ohtani, and deGrom play deep into October.
Ducky Buckin Fent
Well, if it’s like that, I “want” to play QB for the Giants.
mike127
Ducky–just show up at the OTAs—-I’m sure you would have a chance.
Ducky Buckin Fent
Bro. I just turned 54.
Sometimes merely shouldering a shotgun makes that joint protest. My days of throwing anything – besides a fit – are well behind me.
bobtillman
You might have to fight off Y.A. Title or Francis for the job. No problem with DJ.
Ducky Buckin Fent
… something, something…but Duke is basketball school, man…something, something…
Joe says...
Ducky don’t make me lose respect for you by being a Dookie.
It’s a great day to be a Tar Heel!!!
Ducky Buckin Fent
Oh, no Dukie here, bro.
Thankfully, I am more of a college football guy than a hoops guy because I follow the Big 10.
Roll
if will ferrell and billy crystal can play on a major league team .. im sure you can 🙂
Justin (DTLV)
Even Garth Brooks got a couple of hits!
On the baseball field.
Inside Out
Yes but most people don’t want to see the Mets play in October.
Old York
@Mike Piazza Pie
Then management of those teams need to do a better job of building strong teams that can make the playoffs. Or would you be happy if all the teams made the playoffs?
Not sure why one would continue to cheer for a team that doesn’t invest in building a contending team. Switch teams. Stop supporting garbage teams like SDP, LAA & NYM.
CNichols
From his comment it sounds like he wants to see those teams in October not because of his fandom, but because they have a bunch of the game’s superstars.
Those are respectively the teams with the 5th, 2nd and 9th highest payrolls for this year and they’ve all “invested” a lot in building contenders. They’ve all also made some really bad moves and had some terrible injury luck.
I can understand thinking someone shouldn’t root for PIT or BAL when they’re not even trying to field competitive rosters, but NYM, SD, and LAA are all spending and fielding legit teams.
Pedro 4 Delino
Thanks CNichols. I’m not even a fan of those teams just the players like you mentioned. I figured I would just let old York rant about nothing
king joffrey
Nice helpful feature.
User 3014224641
Bradley, Mercado and Zimmer could all go away.
mick4488
I’m on board with that.
solaris602
So this explains why CLE didn’t seriously pursue a 1B or OF this off-season. They’d have to DFA one of these guys (who really should be DFAd truth be told). Sink or swim year for all 3. Not expecting anything more than what they’ve had AMPLE time to show so far.
Gtfdrussell
Bradley could have another shot, but I wouldn’t have even let the other 2 into camp. Terry Pluto seems to think Mercado has bulked up and has a chance to improve, but Zimmer looks completely lost.
solaris602
Yeah, he’s had a silent spring. I don’t know if the FO has an irrationally high opinion of the guy or if they’re afraid he’ll have a breakout with someone else like Naquin did last year. We’ll all want Zimmer to succeed, but time’s almost up for him just like it was for Bauers last year.
beyou02215
Just means that Cleveland is going to keep trotting out Zimmer and/or Mercado. Suboptimal. That offense might be putrid.
Cohn Joppolella
All 3 of the Braves will be on the roster. Although I’m not sure why Newcomb will be there.
Drew Waters Bat
We shall see how long of a leash he gets. He starts getting pounced again. He stuff is strong just to straight.
Braves Butt-Head
Or when rosters go back down to normal
wifflemeister
Time to cut bait on Newcomb. It’s a shame too because he has so much potential.
doxiedevil
Still a hope he will find control being a lefty , eventually you have to cut bait. Maybe AA can trade him for something.
Take Arcia also , just not enough at bats to get in any rhythm hitting. Can fied at least still.
5toolMVP
Bonus points if you know the 1 team missing from this list. (Easy if you’re a fan of that team)
Drew Waters Bat
Found Waldo. Astros
beerncheese
Stros! What do I get, what do I get!?!?
5toolMVP
A commemorative dented trash can!
Winner962
why the angels keep quijada and cut young relief pitchers earlier in spring?
MrAngelFan
No idea. I don’t mind losing Naughton, but we should have held onto Kyle Tyler.
positively_broad_st
Probably see a whole lot of DFA action from Cleveland and Pittsburgh this season…
chace alexander
So basically the Padres bullpen
fidrych76
What about rehab assignments?
bravesfan
Sean Newcomb. The all world prospect that had all the “stuff”, but just couldn’t figure out how to remotely locate it. Braves need to trade him for cash or a project low lvl minor leaguer. Orioles surely could take him on a low risk chance. He’s flashed moments of awesome, and I truly through the bullpen was gonna be his key a few years ago. But he continues to disappoint
User 2079935927
I believe Sean Newcomb was the PTBNL in the Angels/Braves trade for Justin Upton.
How ironic they both could leave their respective teams the same week. 5 years later.
positively_broad_st
Newcomb was part of the Andrelton Simmons trade. Braves traded Upton to SD. The Angels got Upton from Detroit.
User 2079935927
I stand corrected
holecamels35
Just a friendly reminder that just because a guy is out of options doesn’t mean they deserve a roster spot.
RealEly
Hey, could you explain why Marlins’ Jesús Sánchez isn’t out of options yet? I thought all 3 of his were already used up (in 2019, 2020 and 2021).