The Nationals are quickly reaching the point where they are going to have to make some final decisions on the composition of the 25-man roster. With today’s option of RHP JD Martin to Triple-A, the #5 spot in the rotation is down to RHP Garrett Mock or LHP Scott Olsen. Referring back to my analysis of option status, Mock has one option remaining while Olsen has one (maybe two).
However, a lesser known rule came to light yesterday when the Mariners placed Ryan Garko on waivers, even though he still had an option remaining. Keith Law earlier today:
Three years after a player’s first day on a major league roster, he can no longer be optioned without clearing revocable “optional waivers.”
Since Olsen mad his major league debut on June 25, 2005, it would appear the Nationals would have to place Olsen on revocable optional waivers to send him to Triple-A. Whereas Mock made his debut on June 8, 2008 and therefore would not require the same move. It’s a minor point but one worth watching. If the Nats opt for Mock over Olsen, Olsen will need to pass through revocable waivers (meaning he can be pulled back if another team claims him).
Just one more nuance of MLB’s overabundance of rules
#1 by Curious - March 31st, 2010 at 14:08
If they pulled him back, how long would he have to stay on the 25-man? Also, if another team claimed him, would all the provisions of his contract remain the same?
#2 by Mark L - March 31st, 2010 at 14:09
Brian, let’s not forget that whoever would pick Olson up would be on the hook for the $1 million.
#3 by Brian Oliver - March 31st, 2010 at 14:31
Curious – To send him down at any point, he would need to pass through the waivers. I believe if he’s pulled back, then the next waivers are considered irrevocable. His stay on the 25-man would have no set time line.
Any team picking him up on revocable waivers would assume his contract
#4 by Curious - March 31st, 2010 at 14:38
So this option is not nearly as good from the team perspective as the standard option?
Do you think he would be claimed if put on waivers? Also, does this force the Nats’ hand in keeping him as the fifth starter for now?
#5 by Steveospeak - March 31st, 2010 at 15:01
Personally I’d like to see them keep him up with the team, even if its just as a long man to start. No he doesn’t seem to be 100% or ready for the 5th starting job, but why even mess with the whole waivers process.
The Nats need guys with some starting experience, since we won’t get the reinforcements of Wang, Strasburg and Detwiler for another 2-3 months. I say keep him and we will see how it plays out as the season starts. Given the lack of truly better options (at least for now) and the fact that the Nats should have at least one eye on the future, keeping Olsen is a no brainer to me. He’s still pretty young and has some potential so the Nats can deal with a month of so of iffy results if it allows them to make a full decision.
#6 by Jordan - March 31st, 2010 at 16:05
Brian what is Olson’s upside as a starter? What is the best case scenario for him this year?
Also, whats your opinion on Shairon Martis?
#7 by Dick - March 31st, 2010 at 16:52
They could probably get away with putting Olsen on the DL for a couple of weeks and a rehab assignment given his history.
#8 by peric - March 31st, 2010 at 19:27
He would get claimed in a heartbeat. Then it would be time to hammer out a trade. Have to think that at some point common sense and not “old boys rule” logic kicks in and they send the guy into extended spring training until he is needed while optioning Mock to Syracuse.
#9 by Ric - March 31st, 2010 at 21:39
Olson would seem to have the greater chance of breaking camp on the 25-man roster. We’ll see soon enough.
#10 by RD - April 1st, 2010 at 00:34
Olsen should be the guy.
He has a better history and clearly, there is more to lose by trying to send him down.
Make him the 5th starter, but use a four man rotation the first two times through the rotation. Olsen wouldn’t need to start until the 19th, and everyone else would pitch on regular rest with the two days off. He can get a couple innings in relief, but moreso build up the arm s trength in bullpens and long toss over the next two weeks.
#11 by Brian Oliver - April 1st, 2010 at 07:42
At this point, I think Olsen is a #4 or 5 SP at best. I would consider anything more than 15-20 starts in 2010 as the best case scenario
Not sure Martis is a long term option as a major league starter. Unfortunately, he has a 4-A feel to him.
#12 by Sue Dinem - April 1st, 2010 at 08:04
Brian – According to this blog the consequence of Olsen being placed on an “optional assignment waiver” and then being claimed is that if the request is withdrawn, he cannot be waived again for 30 days without losing the revocable nature of the waiver.
In other words, if he’s put on waivers today or tomorrow (according to the SOSH wiki, waivers cannot be requested on the weekend), he cannot be optioned again until May 3/4 without risking a waiver claim that cannot be withdrawn.