Contract Question.

[JaysFan4Ever]

This has been bugging me for a little bit today so I'll ask the wisdom of the board to help me out. Normally if a player has a contract with an option (team, player, mutual) and the option is declined, they become a free agent. What if the player has less than the 6 years required for free agency and an option gets declined? Do they become a free agent or are they still under team control and/or arbitration eligible depending on service time?

 

Example: Santos will have 5 years of service at the end of this year if I read the numbers correctly. The Jays have 3 options on him. If they (and it seems likely they will for a number of factors) decline his option for next year, he'll get his buyout but will he still be under team control and eligible for arbitration since he only has 5 years of service in or does he become a free agent? Does it depend on the language in the contract or since he'll have 5 years in and be a "veteran" he'll have the option of sticking around for arbitration or electing free agency?

[GD]

Good question. My guess is they'd still be under team control but I honestly don't know.

[John_Havok]

This has been bugging me for a little bit today so I'll ask the wisdom of the board to help me out. Normally if a player has a contract with an option (team, player, mutual) and the option is declined, they become a free agent. What if the player has less than the 6 years required for free agency and an option gets declined? Do they become a free agent or are they still under team control and/or arbitration eligible depending on service time?

 

Example: Santos will have 5 years of service at the end of this year if I read the numbers correctly. The Jays have 3 options on him. If they (and it seems likely they will for a number of factors) decline his option for next year, he'll get his buyout but will he still be under team control and eligible for arbitration since he only has 5 years of service in or does he become a free agent? Does it depend on the language in the contract or since he'll have 5 years in and be a "veteran" he'll have the option of sticking around for arbitration or electing free agency?

 

Unless there is language that specifically grants free agency, he would still be under team control and the Jays could either non tender him, or offer a contract under arbitration guidelines

[Angrioter]

This has been bugging me for a little bit today so I'll ask the wisdom of the board to help me out. Normally if a player has a contract with an option (team, player, mutual) and the option is declined, they become a free agent. What if the player has less than the 6 years required for free agency and an option gets declined? Do they become a free agent or are they still under team control and/or arbitration eligible depending on service time?

 

Example: Santos will have 5 years of service at the end of this year if I read the numbers correctly. The Jays have 3 options on him. If they (and it seems likely they will for a number of factors) decline his option for next year, he'll get his buyout but will he still be under team control and eligible for arbitration since he only has 5 years of service in or does he become a free agent? Does it depend on the language in the contract or since he'll have 5 years in and be a "veteran" he'll have the option of sticking around for arbitration or electing free agency?

 

I think. Once you sign an extension or new contract your old contract is abolished.

[Deadpool]

I think. Once you sign an extension or new contract your old contract is abolished.

 

Player control != contract

[Angrioter]

Player control != contract

 

I referred to the arbitrages pre free agency.