The Atlanta Braves signed a group of players with Major League experience to minor league deals this winter, but only four qualify as XX-B free agents.
Atlanta Braves fans may have heard or seen quotes about the possibility of four non-roster invitees in camp receiving a retention bonus. The subject popped up after David O’Brien mentioned it on Twitter.
So, the versatile Ehire Adrianza showed one more thing he can do: put down a perfect bunt for a hit. I’d be surprised if he’s not on the OD roster or given the $100K retention bonus to go to Triple A at start of season. Gotta keep this guy.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) March 20, 2021
It affects more than one player and the final 26-man roster, so it seemed a good time to explain who the affected players are and why one or all might receive the retention bonus.
Article XX of the MLB collective bargaining agreement covers the reserve system, typically referred to as the 40-man roster. Section B of that article specifically covers free agency.
Section B says that a club who signs a player with six-years of Major League service time to a minor league deal, any time up to ten days before the next season starts, has until the fifth day before the first day of the season (March 27 this year) to:
- Agree in writing to add the player to the 26-man roster,
- Add the player to the Major League injured list,
- give the player his immediate release, or
- pay the player a $100K retention bonus by April 15.
- If a player receives the retention bonus, the club must:
- add the player to the 26-man roster or Major League IL before June 1,
- or offer the player their unconditional release.
The Atlanta Braves angle to all of this
According to Fangraphs, the Atlanta Braves have four players in camp who qualify as XX-B free agents are, Ehire Adrianza (6.131 years), Nate Jones (9.000 years), Jason Kipnis (9.069 years), Pablo Sandoval (12.012 years).
This only applies to XX-B free agents, not those who earned free agency under any other CBA provision or their contract.
Players on Major League deals who aren’t added to the active roster, and are out of options, will either be outrighted off the roster or paid one month’s salary and get their release. It’s also possible that the Braves may release the player and sign him to a minor league deal a couple of days later.
The players in that category are Abraham Almonte, Phillip Ervin, Guillermo Heredia, and Jake Lamb.
Atlanta Braves players making a case to stay
Adrianza seems to do something every game to show the Braves he should make the team out of camp. He’s put down perfect bunts in his last two games and beat them out for a hit; he’s now 9-21 and batting .429 with a 1.238 OPS and eight RBI.
His performance likely nudges Jason Kipnis and Pablo Sandoval out of contention for a roster spot, but they remain eligible for the retention bonus.
Jones is the other player who might well grab a roster spot. Jones made his fifth appearance in Friday’s game. He’s thrown 5 1/3 innings this spring, allowed two hits, and struck out two without a walk.
That’s a wrap
Adrianza hasn’t crushed many balls, but he is a smart hitter who can turn on a cookie, as shown by his homer and three doubles. I apologize to Ehire for underestimating him.
His smart hitting and hustle have most beat writers believing he’s played his way onto the roster. Johan Camargo nudged his average to .214 with a hit today, and he moved very well on defense. These players are a lot alike, which makes for a tough decision.
I missed the announcement earlier this week the Braves released Phil Pfeifer. The Giants signed him to a minor-league deal today; The Take wishes him luck with the Giants… unless they’re playing the Braves.