How to count major league service time?

 At first, no official information of each player's service time are shown, even on the player profile page of mlb.com. Each club's annual media guide provides service time of players who are on the 40-man roster or invited to spring training. As unofficial sources, several websites (FANGRAPHS, The Baseball Cube, BASEBALL REFERENCE, Baseball Prospectus, Cot's Baseball Contracts...) also provide. However, they do not necessarily cover every player (and......probably, sometimes incorrect). If we want to know service time of a player who are not covered by them, we are forced to calculate by ourselves based on the player's transaction history with dates sometimes uncertain......

General Rules

The calculation method of major league service time is shown in ARTICLE XXI of collective bargaining agreement. The summary is below...

• Service time is computed commencing with the date of the first regularly scheduled championship season game (the earliest opening day) through and including the date of the last regularly scheduled championship season game. Service time is not computed during spring training or any post-season games.
• One full day of major league service is credited for each day of the championship season a player is on major league active list.
• One full day of major league service is credited for each day of the championship season a player is on major league injured/disabled list, military list.
• One full day of major league service is credited for each day of the championship season a player is on paternity leave list, bereavement/family medical emergency leave list. (per Major League Rules MLR2(n, o))
• One full day of service is added if a player is on active or injured/disabled list for any tiebreaker game following the conclusion of the last regularly scheduled championship season game.    (note: this condition added for the first time in 2017-21 CBA, and at present, it was applicated only in 2018 season)
• A total of 172 days credited service will constitute one full year of credited service.
• A player may not be credited with more than one year of credited service, 172 days, in one championship season.

Specific Rules

 The calculation method under some specific situation is not shown in CBA or Major League Rules.

 I found out the below rules by examining the past actual transactions retrospectively, so most of them are not based on any official sources. Thanks to Arizona Phil's article from The Cub Reporter (TCR), which is the most detailed and comprehensive guide as far as I know, although as an unofficial source.

Exceptional Opening Day (International Openers)

If a player is on the active list, temporarily inactive list or injured/disabled list for any regular season game scheduled during spring training (known as "international openers" that may be scheduled in Australia, Japan, Mexico, etc), his service time is computed commencing with the date of his club's opening day instead of regularly scheduled opening day.

 

Optional Assignment

(Related post: How to count days on option? )

• If a player is optionally assigned for a total of 20 or more days in one championship season, 

• He shall not be credited with major league service during the period of such optional assignment(s). (per ARTICLE XXI-B of CBA)
• The date of optional assignment is counted as one day of service. (note: Arizona Phil says that it is NOT counted, but I do not think so)
• The date of recall is counted as one day of service. 
• If an optioned player is recalled not to report, the date of recall is not counted. 
• If an optioned player is recalled not to report and remained inactive, these days are not counted as any days of service.

(note: The date of optional assignment is counted not only as a day of major league service but also as a day on option, unless the assignment is taken place after the game) 

• If a player is optionally assigned for a total of less than 20 days in one championship season, 

• He shall be credited with major league service during the period of such optional assignment(s) (per ARTICLE XXI-B of CBA), including the date of optional assignment.
• The date of recall is counted as one day of service. 
• If he is recalled not to report and outrighted or remained inactive, the date of recall is not counted and his service time is interrupted on the previous day of the recall. 

A specific example: In 2016, Tim Beckham was optioned by Tampa Bay on May 25, recalled on June 1, optioned again on August 31 (post-game), and recalled not to report on September 11 (total of 18 days on option). He got 161 days of service counted from April 3 (the earliest opening day of 2016 season) to September 10, one day before he was recalled not to report. 

• If he is recalled not to report and designated for assignment or released, the date of recall is counted and his service time is interrupted on that day. 

A specific example: In 2019, Isaac Galloway was purchased by Miami on April 16, optioned on May 10 (post-game), recalled not to report and designated for assignment on May 24, and outrighted on May 29 (13 days on option). He got 39 days of service counted from April 16 to May 24, the date he was recalled not to report.

• If he has zero days of major league service in the current season prior to the optional assignment and after the optional assignment was unconditionally released or assigned outright and not subsequently added to the active list for the remainder of the championship season, he shall not be credited with major league service. (per ARTICLE XXI-B of CBA) 

A specific example: In 2015, Charles Brewer was optioned by Cleveland on March 17, recalled not to report and released on April 12. His option days were 8, counted from April 5 (the earliest opening day of 2015 season) to April 12, but he got no major league service because he had zero days of service before and after his option period. 

 

Outright Assignment

• If a player is outrighted, he shall not be credited with major league service during the period of such outright assignment(s).
• The date of outright assignment is counted as one day of service. 
• The date of reacquisition (purchase) is counted as one day of service.
• Even if a player is outrighted but reacquired within less than 20 days in one championship season, he shall not be credited with major league service during the period of such outright assignment(s), unlike the case of optional assignment.

 

Designated for Assignment

• If a player is designated for assignment, he shall be credited with major league service during the period of such status, through the actual assignment date (traded, released, outrighted, claimed on waivers or optioned). (per ARTICLE XIX-G of CBA)
• If a player is designated for assignment during spring and the actual assignment date is into the championship season, he shall be credited with major league service from the earliest opening day through the actual assignment date, even if he is never placed on the active list in that season. (note: Arizona Phil says that it is NOT credited, but I do not think so.)

A specific example: In 2016, A.J. Jimenez was designated for assignment by Toronto on March 28, and outrighted on April 7. He got 5 days of major league service counted from April 3 (the earliest opening day of 2016 season) to April 7, despite he was never on the active list during 2016 season.

• If an optioned player recalled not to report and designated for assignment, he shall not be credited with major league service during the period of such status. (note: Arizona Phil says that he is CREDITED, but I do not think so.)

 

 Restricted List, Disqualified List, Voluntarily Retired List

• If a player is placed on restricted or disqualified or voluntarily retired list, he shall not be credited with major league service during the period of such status.
• The date of placement is not counted as one day of service.  (I'm not confident, but maybe so)
• The date of reinstatement is counted as one day of service.
• Before the 2017 season, if a player was placed on restricted list as the result of a suspension for violation of the MLB-MLBPA JDPTP or a suspension or leave of absence related to a violation or possible violation of the MLB-MLBPA JDV policy, he was credited with major league service during the period of such status. However, if an optioned player was placed on restricted list as the result of such suspension, he was not credited with major league service.

 

 Trade, Claim on Outright Assignment/Trade Assignment Waivers

• If a player is traded to another major league club and activated immediately, his service time is not interrupted.
• If a traded player is not activated by the new club immediately, his service is interrupted on the day of trade, and restarts on the day he is actually activated.  (I'm not confident, but maybe so)
• If an optioned player recalled not to report and traded to another major league club, the date of trade is not counted, unless he is added to new club's active roster immediately.
• If a player is claimed on outright assignment or trade assignment waivers by another club, his service time computed as same as he is traded.

 

 Unconditional Release

• If a player is released, the date of release is counted as one day of service, and his service is interrupted on that day.
• If a released player is claimed on unconditional release waivers by another club and he accept, his service restarts on the day of waiver claim, unless he is not activated by the new club immediately.

How to count days on option?

 A player's days on minor league option are counted as total of each season, and the number of days only meaningful whether it is 20 or more. If 20 or more than 20, his "option" is used, while if less than 20, his "option" is not used and his option days are added to his major league service time.

However, if a player's number of days on option is close to 19-20 borderline, it may be difficult to judge whether his "option" is used or not used.  

The counting method is described in ARTICLE XIX-E and ATTACHMENT 32 of collective bargaining agreement.

 To summarize, there are 8 conditions below to count a player's days on option

1. The date of optional assignment is counted as day-1.
2. If a player is optioned during spring training, his days on option are not counted until the opening day.
3. If a player has been optioned at the time of his club's opening day,  the date of that season's earliest opening day is counted as day-1.
4. If a player is optioned after the game, that date is NOT counted (day-zero).
5. The date of recall (or recall, not to report) is NOT counted.
6. If a player is recalled, not to report and designated for assignment, the date is counted (as the last day).
7. If a player is recalled, not to report and released, the date is counted (as the last day).
8. If a player is recalled, not to report and outrighted, the date is NOT counted.

Specific examples of counting days on option

Case 1: Jedd Gyorko

In 2015, San Diego Padres optioned him on June 10, and recalled on June 30 (Source).

June 10 was counted, and June 30 was not counted (per condition 1&5). His days on option were from June 10 to June 29, just 20 days.

So he was used one "option" in 2015.

 

Case 2: Lance McCullers Jr.

In 2015, Houston Astros purchased him on May 18, then optioned on August 3, and recalled on August 23 (Source)

. However, his optional assignment took place after the game of the day, so that transaction was effective the next day.

August 3 was not counted (per condition 4), and August 23 was not counted (per condition 5). His days on option were from August 4 to August 22, just 19 days.

So he was not used any "option" in 2015.

 

Case 3: Grant Dayton

In 2015, Miami Marlins optioned him on March 13,  and he failed to make Marlins' opening day roster. Marlins then recalled him (not to report) and designated for assignment on April 24, and outright on April 26 (Source). The earliest opening day in 2015 was April 5.

April 5 was counted as day-1 (per condition 2&3), and April 24 was also counted (per condition 6). His days on option were from April 5 to April 24, just 20 days.

So he was used one "option" in 2015.

2020 4th Option Watch

 Major league players usually have three option years, but some players, who have already used three options within four "full seasons", are given fourth option year.

At the beginning of the 2020 season,  14 players on 40-man roster were eligible for fourth option. 

Among them, only 4 players were actually used their fourth option.

They are now "out of options", so they will be no more optioned in 2021 season. 

Travis Jankowski (CF) (Cincinnati)

Raudy Read (C) (Washington)

Edmundo Sosa (2B) (St.Louis)

Taylor Williams (RHP) (Seattle/San Diego)

6 players below were eligible, but not used their option because they stayed on major league active list or injured list throughout 2020 season.

If 67-day 2020 season is not meet the 90-day "full season" requirement, they may be eligible again for 2021 season.

Jimmy Cordero (RHP) (Chicago White Sox)

Erick Fedde (RHP)                  (Washington)

Chi Chi Gonzalez (RHP) (Colorado)

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (SS)         (Toronto)

Burch Smith (RHP)         (Oakland)

Kyle Zimmer (RHP)         (Kansas City)

4 players below were eligible, but not used their option because they were placed on restricted list or outrighted to minors. They may be eligible again for 2021 season.

 

Domingo German (RHP) (New York Yankees, on restricted list)

Domingo Leyba (SS) (Arizona, on restricted list)

Yohander Mendez (LHP) (Texas, outrighted on July 23)

Fernando Romero (RHP) (Minnesota, on restricted list)

4 players who signed to minor league contracts were also eligible, but they were never called up to majors in 2020. Among them, only Ramirez was added to 60-man player pool. 

If they will sign major league contracts for 2021, they may be eligible again for 2021 season.

Sandy Baez (RHP)         (Detroit)

Yefry Ramirez (RHP) (New York Mets)

Jesus Liranzo (RHP) (San Francisco)

Andrew Moore (RHP) (Cincinnati)

2 players who played with Japanese League teams in 2020 were also eligible, but they will likely no more comeback to US majors. Igarashi announced his retirement after 2020 season, while Wada signed a two-year contract extension through 2022 season with Fukuoka.

Ryota Igarashi (RHP) (Yakult)

Tsuyoshi Wada (LHP) (Fukuoka Softbank)

 

 

 

Minor League Option Rules

 Minor league option is the key item for understanding the transaction rule.

This is my memorandum about option rules.

TERMS of TRANSCTION

OPTION (optional assignment)

Optional assignment is one of the two ways to send a major league reserved player (on 40-man roster) to minor leagues (Another way is outright assignment).

Optioned player is removed from active roster but remained on 40-man roster (outrighted player is removed from active and 40-man roster).

There is no risk to lose a player to another club with optional assignment (outright assignment is required irrevocable waivers, risk to lose), but not all players can be optioned.

OPTION means the assignment with right to recall, which must be exercised on or before the day following the last day of the major league championship season.  

RECALL

To recall is to bring back an optioned player from minors. If a player is recalled during the championship season, he is directly put on active roster or placed on injured list.

RECALL, NOT TO REPORT

To recall, not to report is to bring back an optioned player from minors during the championship season, but not to put on active roster. If a player is recalled not to report, he would be designated for assignment, traded to another major league club, outrighted to minors, or remained inactive (after the conclusion of the championship season of the minor league club to which the player is on optional assignment).

 

Ten-Day Rule                       per Major League Rules MLR11b(1)

 

Optioned player may not be recalled until 10 days of the championship season have elapsed from the date of the optional assignment.

However, if a player is recalled as 27th man for doubleheader, or recalled as replacement for a player who is traded, claimed on waivers, or placed on the  injured list, bereavement/family medical emergency list, paternity leave list, or restricted list due to a suspension or administrative leave, 10-day rule is not required.

 

OPTIONS (as status)            per MLR11c

 

When a player is added to 40-man roster, he is given three OPTIONS.

If he is optioned and remained in minors for total of 20 or more days in a single season, he loses one of his options (if less than 20 days, does not lose options).

His OPTIONS are not credited with more than one in a single season regardless of the number of times he is optioned.

After three options lost in three different seasons, his status become “out of options”, and he can be only sent to minors by outright assignment.

 

FOURTH OPTION                per MLR11c

 

If a player has lost three OPTIONS within four (less than five) “full seasons”, he is given another (fourth) OPTION for next season.

To determine “full season” services, 90 days or more on the active list during a championship season of majors or minors of National Association constitutes one “full season”. Service on the military, disqualified, restricted, voluntarily retired and ineligible lists are not credited generally, but service on injured list followed to 30 or more days on active list is credited.

 

VETERAN'S CONSENT        per Article XIX-A of collective bargaining agreement

 

Players with more than five years of major league service time must consent to being optioned.

 

REACQUIRING PLAYER RULE           per MLR11j

 

If a player who could be optioned (OPTIONS remaining) but outrighted during spring training or championship season and reacquired by the same club after 20 or more days of the Major League championship season have elapsed from the date of the assignment, he loses one of his OPTIONS as well as optioned player, even if he is never optioned in that season.

note:I think this rule was abolished before 2017 season...

 

REFERENCES 

 

Major League Rules (2019)

Major league Rules (2008)

Basic Agreement (2017-2021)

"Glossary / Transactions / Minor League Options" on mlb.com

MLB Roster Rules Presented by Arizona Phil