In the world of Major League Baseball (MLB), the non-tender process is a critical part of the off-season. Every year, teams have the option to tender (or offer) contracts to players who are eligible for salary arbitration. Those players who are not tendered become free agents and are open to be signed by any team. This process of non-tendering players is an essential part of how teams shape their rosters and set their payrolls.
What is Salary Arbitration?
In order for a player to be eligible for non-tendering, they must first be eligible for salary arbitration. Salary arbitration is a process that determines the salary of a player based on their past performance and the market value of their peers. It’s a way for players to get the best possible salary for their services and a way for teams to manage their payrolls.
Players who are eligible for salary arbitration are those who have three or more years of major league service time, but less than six years. These players are usually in their prime and have the potential to be very valuable to a team. This is why teams may choose to tender them a contract in order to keep them on the roster.
What Does it Mean to Get Non-Tendered?
When a team non-tenders a player, it means that they have chosen to not offer them a contract for the upcoming season. This can happen for a variety of reasons. It could be that the player is not performing well or is asking for too much money for their services. It could also be that the team is trying to free up money to sign more expensive free agents.
When a player is non-tendered, they become a free agent and are free to sign with any team. This is an opportunity for the player to get a better deal and for teams to potentially sign a valuable player for a bargain.
What Happens After a Player is Non-Tendered?
After a player is non-tendered, they are free to sign with any team. They can negotiate a contract with any team that is interested in signing them. This allows players to potentially get a better deal than they would have gotten if they had been tendered a contract.
Players who are non-tendered may also choose to sign a minor league contract with a team. This allows them to stay in the organization and continue to develop their skills. It also gives teams the opportunity to evaluate a player and potentially add them to their major league roster in the future.
The Benefits of Non-Tendering
Non-tendering players can be beneficial to both teams and players. It gives teams the flexibility to manage their payrolls and free up money to sign more expensive free agents. It also gives players the opportunity to potentially get a better deal than they would have gotten if they had been tendered a contract.
Non-tendering can also be beneficial for teams that are rebuilding. By non-tendering players, teams can free up money to sign younger, less expensive players who have the potential to develop into valuable assets. This can help teams quickly shape their roster and get back into contention.
Conclusion
The non-tender process is an essential part of the MLB off-season. It allows teams to manage their payrolls and free up money to sign more expensive free agents. It also gives players the opportunity to potentially get a better deal than they would have gotten if they had been tendered a contract. Non-tendering can be beneficial for both teams and players, and it is an important part of how teams shape their rosters.