As spring training winds down, clubs face a flurry of roster decisions. Players’ remaining options and the ever-present threat of waivers hang over every move.
This piece digs into how being “out of options” can shove players into tricky situations. It looks at how waivers, roster delays, and the push to keep key prospects on the 40-man roster all create headaches for teams.
Veterans on minor-league deals, opt-outs, and promotions crowd the mix even more. You end up with a scramble—veterans and prospects all jockeying for just a handful of spots.
Out-of-options squeeze: why spring training rosters hinge on options status
In the final days of camp, teams must pick who can start the season on the roster and who gets sent down without passing through waivers. Players with no minor-league options face a real risk of being DFA’d or claimed, while those with options left get stashed on the bench or in low-leverage roles to keep them in the system.
It’s a balancing act. Protect a few veterans and risk losing others, or carry extra bodies who might not help right away but keep your depth chart healthy.
Spring training turns into a high-stakes auction for roster spots.
Recent examples shaping movement in spring camps
This spring, several cases show how out-of-options status shakes up the market. Players like Jack Suwinski, Vidal Brujan, Ben Rortvedt, Andy Ibáñez, and Marco Luciano have all been caught in the crossfire.
The Yankees managed to sneak Marco Luciano through waivers unclaimed, which almost never happens. The rest still sit on 40-man rosters, but they’re not safe—DFA risk never really disappears as teams trim down and options rules kick in.
For teams, it’s all about who absolutely needs to stay on the 40-man and who they can risk exposing. Out-of-options status really slows down roster turnover, even when clubs want to keep their depth safe.
Sometimes, clubs just keep out-of-options players on the bench or in lower-leverage roles to avoid losing them for nothing. But with DFA always lurking, teams keep one eye on waivers and possible trades.
Giants’ roster-fit challenge: Matos vs. Encarnación
The Giants have a classic roster crunch. Luis Matos and Jerar Encarnación bring similar offensive profiles, but there isn’t room for both. The team has to think about more than just stats—upside, depth, and defensive flexibility all matter when you only have 26 spots.
Profile snapshots: Luis Matos and Jerar Encarnación
- Luis Matos — He’s 24, with a strong prospect pedigree and real upside. His line drive data and prospect status help his case, but he hasn’t put together a full MLB season yet. His MLB line is .231/.281/.369 with 15 homers over 593 plate appearances. Triple-A numbers look much better—.287/.345/.505—so the ceiling is there if he gets regular playing time.
- Jerar Encarnación — He’s a power bat, showing big numbers in Triple-A but not much impact in 54 MLB games. Injuries in 2025 slowed him down, making it tough to know where he really fits. If he stays healthy and brings that Triple-A power to the majors, he could be a difference-maker.
What to watch this spring and beyond
A fuller list of out-of-options players is coming, but the main thing to watch is who can clear waivers and who can help right away. Teams will keep hunting for ways to protect their long-term plans while sorting out rotations, benches, and defense.
For fans, the drama isn’t close to finished. The next batch of moves could totally shake up roles for a bunch of players and force teams to rethink their mix of youth and experience as the season gets rolling.
Key takeaways for fans and followers
- Out-of-options status really shapes who sticks around, who gets sent out, and who just has to wait for a waiver call.
- Waivers and DFA risk hang over almost every spring decision, especially for players without a clear shot at the majors.
- Promotions from minor-league deals and opt-out clauses can speed up roster shuffles as teams scramble to manage depth.
- Defensive value and versatility still matter a lot, especially for players like Matos and Encarnación. They bring different strengths, and teams notice that.
- The spring story‘s just getting started—there’s going to be more moves and position battles as camps wrap up and rosters take shape.
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As spring turns into the regular season, out-of-options players feel the pressure to show they’re worth a spot. Teams have to juggle what they need right now with what might help them down the road.
Here is the source article for this story: Out Of Options Players To Watch This Spring
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