and my planning period at school just so happens to fall during the 1PM hour.

There is a contractual nuance that seems likely to come into play when the Nationals make their 25-man roster decisions coming out of spring training.

It’s called option status. The quick and dirty on options is as follows

If a player is on the 40-man roster but not on the active 25-man roster, he is said to be on optional assignment. This means that the team can freely move him between the major league club and the minor league clubs. It’s better to think of the term as option years rather than simply options.

If a player is on the 40-man roster and not the active 25 man roster for any part of more than three seasons in which he spent 20 or more total days of service in the minors, he is out of options and may not be assigned to the minors without first clearing waivers.

There exists an opportunity for a player to have a fourth option year. If he has less than 5 years of professional experience, he may be optioned to the minors in a fourth season without being subject to waivers.

Why do I bring this up?

Because option status is likely to come into play when it comes to some of the decisions the Nats are going to make.

Here is the option status of everyone currently on the Nats 40-man roster:

• RHP Luis Atilano – Added to 40-man in November of 2008. Nats used first option year in 2009. He spent the entire 2009 season in the minor leagues. Option years remaining: Two [though Nats should be able to get a fourth given his service time]
• RHP Collin Balester – Added to 40-man June 2008; first option used in 2009. Option years remaining: Two
• RHP Jason Bergmann – The option poster child. Added to 40-man in August 2005; first option year was 2006 (he was up & down four times in 2006 but used only one option); spent entire season in majors in 2007 (no option used); used second option in 2008; and third option in 2009. Option years remaining: None (meaning he would have to face waivers this year if the Nats want to send him down)
• RHP Brian Bruney: Added to Diamondbacks 40-man November 2003; first option year in 2004 (Diamondbacks); second option year in 2005 (Diamondbacks); final option year in 2006 (Diamondbacks). Option years remaining: None (meaning he would have to face waivers this year if the Nats want to send him down)
• LHP Sean Burnett: Added to Pirates 40-man in November 2003; used first option in 2004 (Pirates); spent 2005 on DL (no option used); used second option in 2006, third option in 2007, & fourth option in 2008 (all with Pirates; 4th option granted given service time). Option years remaining: None (meaning he would have to face waivers this year if the Nats want to send him down)
• RHP Matt Capps: Added to Pirates 40-man in September 2005; has not used any options; update: he has less than 5 years service time, so options are still in play Option years remaining: Three
• LHP Matt Chico: Added to Nats 40-man in November 2006; Optioned down for only 15 days in 2007 so, if I am reading the rules correctly, did not use an option; first option used in 2008, second option used in 2009. Option years remaining: One
• RHP Tyler Clippard: Added to Yankees 40-man in May 2007; first option used in 2007 (with Yankees); second & third options used in 2008 & 2009 (with Nats). Option years remaining: None (meaning he would have to face waivers this year if the Nats want to send him down)
• LHP Ross Detwiler: Added to Nats 40-man September 2007; first option year in 2008; second option year in 2009. Option years remaining: One (though Nats should be able to get one more given his service time)
• LHP Jesse English: Added to Giants 40-man November 2008; first option year used in 2009 (Giants). Option years remaining: Two [2010-11] (though Nats should be able to get one more given his service time)
• RHP Juan Jaime: Added to the Nats 40-man November 2009; no options used. Option years remaining: Three (with realistic chance of a fourth)
• LHP John Lannan: Added to the Nats 40-man July 2007; first option used in 2007; was optioned down for 9 days in early 2009 so I don’t believe he used an option year. Option years remaining: Two
• RHP Jason Marquis: Added to Braves 40-man in 2000; from what I was able to determine, he’s never been optioned to the minors. Option years remaining: Three (though given his service time, he can refuse demotion)
• RHP J.D. Martin: Added to Nats 40-man July 2009; no options used to date. Option years remaining: Three (with a realistic chance of fourth)
• RHP Shairon Martis: Added to Nats 40-man September 2008; first option used in 2009. Option years remaining: Two (with a realistic chance of an additional one)
• RHP Ryan Mattheus: Added to Rockies 40-man in November 2008; first option used in 2009. Option years remaining: Two (with an almost certain additional one)
• RHP Garrett Mock: Added to Nats 40-man October 2007; first option used in 2008; second option used in 2009. Option years remaining: One
• LHP Scott Olsen: Added to Marlins 40-man June 2005; first option used in 2005; Unsure if he used an option in 2006 since he was only in the minors for 14 days. Option years remaining: One, possibly two
• LHP Atahualpa Severino: Added to the Nats 40-man November 2009; no options used. Option years remaining: Three (with realistic chance of a fourth)
• RHP Craig Stammen: Added to Nats 40-man May 2009; no options used to date. Option years remaining: Three (with a realistic possibility of an additional one)
• RHP Stephen Strasburg: Added to Nats 40-man August 2009; first option year used in 2009. Option years remaining: Two (with an additional one theoretically possible, but hopefully unnecessary)
• LHP Aaron Thompson: Added to the Nats 40-man November 2009; no options used. Option years remaining: Three (with realistic chance of a fourth)
• RHP Tyler Walker: TBD
• RHP Chien-Ming Wang: Added to Yankees 40-man 2005; Used options in 2003, 2004 & 2005. Option years remaining: None (may have 4th but not sure)
• (on 60-day DL) RHP Jordan Zimmermann: Added to Nats 40-man in 2009; no options used to date. Option years remaining: Three (he’ll likely spend entire 2010 season on DL which does not count as an option)
• CA Jesus Flores: Added to Nats 40-man (and active roster) December 2006; first option used in 2008. Option years remaining: Two
• CA Wil Nieves: Added to Padres 40-man July 2002; first option used in 2002 (Padres); second option used in 2005 (Yankees); final option used in 2006 (Yankees). Option years remaining: None
• CA Ivan Rodriguez: Added to Rangers 40-man in 1991; I didn’t do any real digging since his service time makes the idea of optioning him irrelevant (he can refuse demotion)
• SS Ian Desmond: Added to Nats 40-man November 2008; used first option in 2009. Option years remaining: Two (with an additional one possible)
• 1B Adam Dunn: Added to Reds 40-man in 2003; I didn’t do any real digging since his service time makes the idea of optioning him irrelevant (he can refuse demotion)
• SS Alberto Gonzalez: Added to Diamondbacks 40-man November 2006; first option used 2007 (Yankees); second option used 2008 (Yankees); final option used 2009 (Nats). Option years remaining: None
• SS Cristian Guzman: Added to Twins 40-man in 1999; I didn’t do any real digging since his service time makes the idea of optioning him irrelevant (he can refuse demotion)
• 2B Adam Kennedy: Added to Cardinals 40-man in 1999; I didn’t do any real digging since his service time makes the idea of optioning him irrelevant (he can refuse demotion)
• 1B Mike Morse: Added to Mariners 40-man November 2004; first option used in 2005 (Mariners); second option used in 2006 (Mariners); final option used in 2007 (Mariners). Option years remaining: None
• 3B Ryan Zimmerman: Added to Nats 40-man in September 2005; has not used any options. Option years remaining: Three (though highly unlikely to ever use them)
• OF Roger Bernadina – Added to Nats 40-man roster in October of 2007; first option used in 2008; second option used in 2009. Option years remaining: One (could possibly earn an additional one but that would require an entire 2010 in the minors)
• OF Elijah Dukes: Added to Rays 40-man November 2006; first option used in 2007; second option used in 2009. Option years remaining: One
• OF Willie Harris: Added to Orioles 40-man in 2001; I didn’t do any real digging since his service time makes the idea of optioning him irrelevant (he can refuse demotion)
• OF Justin Maxwell: Added to Nats 40-man September 2007; first option used in 2008; second option used in 2009. Option years remaining: One (could possibly earn an additional one but that would require an entire 2010 in the minors)
• OF Nyjer Morgan: Added to Pirates 40-man November 2006; first option used in 2007; second option used in 2008. Option years remaining: One
• OF Josh Willingham: Added to Marlins 40-man 2004; first option used in 2004 (Marlins); second option used in 2005 (Marlins). Option years remaining: One (though he may have service time to refuse demotion)

Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone who visits NFA.

And what’s a better Valentine’s Day story than the Post writing about NFA favorite Josh Wilkie and his wedding.

Congrats to Josh & Jesse.

has arrived and I have another prospect guide to add to the rotation.

Quick hit from last year’s list

• Five have ‘graduated’ to the majors/used up rookie eligibility (Zimmermann, Detwiler, Mock, Martis, & Stammen)
• Seven have dropped out (Smiley, Davis, Rhinehart, King, Smoker, Willems, & Van Allen)
• Three no longer in organization (Hinckley, Terrell Young & Montz)

That’s half the list turning over with five added from 2009 draft.

(And this year’s #18, Marco Estrada, is now with Milwaukee).

I’m still reading through The Baseball Prospect Book 2010 but I wanted to give my quick impressions.As I mentioned in the previous posting, 2010 had the following:

• 38 players graded/profiled: 24 arms & 14 bats
• One Grade A
• Two Grade B+
• One Grade B
• Two Grade B-
• Eight Grade C+
• Twenty-four grade C
• Three sleeper alerts

Compared to 2009 where there were:

• 36 players graded/profiled: 17 arms & 19 bats
• No grade As
• Two grade B+
• One grade B
• Three grade B-
• Twelve grade C+
• Eighteen grade C
• One sleeper (Derek Norris)

It appears the top tier is getting better with the addition of guys like Strasburg and Storen along with breakout of Norris. I figured it would be interesting to look at the Nats included in 2009 along with thier 2009 grade and the current disposition (in the 2010 book or not):

In the 2010 book (14):

• OF Michael Burgess B+: Grade dropped to B-
• RHP Paul Demny C: Grade unchanged
• SS Ian Desmond C+: Grade unchanged
• SS Danny Espinosa C: Grade improved to B
• OF JR Higley C: Grade unchanged
• OF Destin Hood C+: Grade unchanged
• 1B Chris Marrero B: Grade dropped to B-
• OF Justin Maxwell C+: Grade unchanged
• LHP Jack McGeary B-: Grade dropped to C
• CA Adrian Nieto C+: Grade dropped to C
• CA Derek Norris C+: Grade improved to B+
• RHP Brad Peacock C: Grade unchanged
• OF JP Ramirez C+: Grade dropped to C
• LHP Josh Smoker C+: Grade dropped to C

No longer rookies, so not in 2010 book (6):

• OF Roger Bernadina C+
• RHP Tyler Clippard C
• LHP Ross Detwiler B-
• RHP Shairon Martis C+
• RHP Garrett Mock B-
• RHP Jordan Zimmermann B+

Still rookie eligible but not in 2010 book (12):

• RHP Adrian Alaniz C
• LHP Will Atwood C
• OF Mike Daniel C
• OF Leonard Davis C
• SS Smiley Gonzalez C+
• LHP Graham Hicks C
• OF Marcus Jones C
• IF Stephen King C
• OF Marvin Lowrance C+
• LHP Yunior Novoa C
• 1B Bill Rhinehart C
• RHP Colton Willems C+

No longer in organization (4):

• RHP Marco Estrada C (in 2010 book)
• LHP Mike Hinckley C
• CA Luke Montz C
• RHP Terrell Young Grade C

With Nationals in 2010 but not 2009 but graded elsewhere (1):

• LHP Victor Garate C (Dodgers): Grade unchanged
• LHP Aaron Thompson C+ (Marlins): Grade dropped to C

Of those who graduated out of the book, I’d say that only Detwiler & Zimmermann are long term options as major league regulars. Guys like Bernadina, Clippard, Martis & Mock are bench players or extra arms for the bullpen (though I’m sure there are some Clippard fans who might disagree).

The only improved grades were Derek Norris and Danny Espinosa with six guys keeping the same grade. It is disappointing to see the guys who have slipped (Burgess, Marrero, & McGeary) as they are considered some of the top prospects in the organization.

The guys who dropped out of the book completely include primarily the Grade C guys who Sickels typically views as future role players (most likely). The two names that stand out to me are Gonzalez and Willems. Lugo (nee Gonzalez) is not a surprise but Willems needs to be viewed as a failed pick.

I’m not going to to list the names of all of the new guys in the book (buy it from Sickels, it’s worth it), but I’ll give a quick breakdown of the 21 new Nats in the book:

• Ten from 2009 draft (hint: I’ll spot you Strasburg & Storen)
• Five international players from within the organization (hint: two arms were added to the 40-man this fall)
• Four from other drafts (hint: two from 2007 and two from 2008)
• One from outside the organization (Luis Garcia)
• One undrafted free agent (Josh Wilkie)

It;s a mixed bag, in my opinion, there are some strong guys but there also appears to be some stagnation and regression.

Frequent commenter, Sue Dinem, has a couple of postings over at NationalsProspects.com where the guide from Shandler Enterprises details the Nationals prospects both scouting & sabermetrically.

First, an overview

Next, the hitters

Finally, the pitchers

I used to get all three of the major publications, MiLB Analyst, Baseball America, and John Sickels but have scaled back to just BA and Sickels recently. I’m glad to see a discussion of the third guide.

Baseball America has their weekly listing of the minor league transactions and the Nationals have made a few moves:

Signed: RHP Nick Maness, LHP Chuck James, 3B Angel Gonzalez, OF Kevin Mench

Placed on restricted list: RHP Randy Matias

James was already known. The lefty has an outside shot at the #5 spot but seems more likely a candidate for the rotation in Syracuse.

Maness is a blast from the past. BA had Maness in their first ever Prospect Handbook back in 2001 where he was ranked #7 in the Mets organization. Baseball Reference has no stats on him from 2007 through 2009. Seems like roster filler.

Gonzalez split his time between the Carolina and Eastern Leagues in 2009, while playing in the Pirates organization. I’ll go with the hunch that he was recommended by the newly hired Bryan Minniti who joined Washington from Pittsburgh. I’d imagine he’s in line for a utility role with Harrisburg

And finally, a fellow Blue Hen alum in Kevin Mench. Mench was originally signed by current Nats Director of Player Development Doug Harris back when both were with the Rangers. Mench had a couple of good seasons for Texas back in 2004-05 but spent the 2009 season in Japan. If he sticks, I’d imagine he’s the DH in Syracuse.

Matias being placed on the restricted list could be for a variety of reasons.

Got home this afternoon to find The Baseball Prospect Book 2010 in my mailbox. I’m sitting down right now to page through it, but there are 38 Nationals graded and profiled. Here are some quick hits

• 24 arms
• 14 bats
• One Grade A
• Two Grade B+
• One Grade B
• Two Grade B-
• Eight Grade C+
• The rest grade C (including NFA favorite Josh Wilkie)
• Three sleeper alerts