Former major-league infielder J.J. Furmaniak is scheduled to be activated by the Biscuits today, but that move could be on hold.
Furmaniak could be headed to triple-A Durham after Tampa Bay made some moves today.
The Rays promoted former All-Star infielder Hank Blalock from the Bulls and removed Pat Burrell from their roster, the St. Petersburg Times and Tampa Tribune report.
Blalock had an out clause in his contract and his agent, Scott Boras, told the St. Pete this week that he'd use it unless promoted.
4 comments:
Stacy -- I guess I don't understand the purpose of the 40 man roster. Can you explain why the Rays had to designate Burrell, when they still only have 38 players showing on their 40 man roster? I don't think dumping Burrell is a mistake, I just would like to know how the 40 man roster is supposed to work.
From what I understand of minor-league option and service-time rules, they couldn't send him to the minors.
Unable to do that, there's no reason for the Rays to want him hanging around.
I'd also guess the labor agreement wouldn't allow it either. If you're the player, you wouldn't want a team to be able to basically "mothball" you. He's getting his money anyway, and any player would want to go somewhere else and play (and try to stoke interest in another contract for next year).
Thanks for the GREAT explanation! Being a Major League GM must be quite the exercise in understanding all the rules.
After a player is added to a team's 40-man roster he can be optioned back to the minors in 3 different seasons (4 in special cases, but almost always 3). Burrell used up his 3 option years with the Phillies.
So in order to add Blalock to the 25-man, someone had to go and they chose Burrell. Since he couldn't be optioned to the minors or placed on the DL (legitimately), he had to be designated for assignment.
The Rays will have 10 days to trade or release him. If he's not claimed by another team, he could agree to come back to the Rays (re-sign to a minor league deal) and be assigned to the minors at that point.
My guess is some team will take a chance and claim him.
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