Optional waivers

In Major League Baseball (MLB), the term “optional waivers” refers to a particular category of waivers that are utilized for certain roster management procedures. Generally speaking, waivers are a mechanism that enables Major League Baseball teams to engage in certain transactions with players. These transactions may include transfers to minor league teams, releases, or trades not permitted under normal circumstances due to the rules governing contracts or rosters.

It is common practice to use optional waivers for players who are “out of options.” Following their inclusion on the 40-man roster, a player in Major League Baseball is eligible for three option years. They can move between the major and minor leagues during these option years without having to go through the process of clearing waivers. However, for a player to be sent down to the minor leagues, and only after they have used up all of their option years, they must first clear waivers.

“Optional waivers” is a term that comes into play in this situation. These waivers are considered “revocable,” which means that if another team claims a player while they are on optional waivers, the original team can pull the player back, thereby preventing the claim from being processed effectively. This contrasts “outright waivers,” utilized when a team intends to remove a player from the 40-man roster. If a player is claimed on outright waivers, the original team cannot return the player to the team that initially claimed them.

The name “optional waivers” comes from allowing teams to move players to the minor leagues even after the players have used up their standard option years. However, they also provide a safety net in revoking the waiver if you claim the player. Through this method, teams are afforded a greater degree of flexibility in managing their rosters, while simultaneously preventing their players from being easily acquired by other teams. Teams utilize it as a strategic tool to maximize the effectiveness of their roster, manage player development, and navigate the complexities of player contracts and the rules that govern the rosters in Major League Baseball.