Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Ryan Yarbrough is opting out
Photo credit: MLB.com
The Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Ryan Yarbrough has decided to opt out of his contract and leave the Blue Jays but there is still a chance things can turn around.
The Blue Jays announced a few big roster moves today, the first two were that they decided to option both Leo Jimenez and Joey Loeprfido down to Triple-A to start the season.
Blue Jays pitcher Ryan Yarbrough wants out of his current contract
The Blue Jays have been very busy over the past few days as they are closing in on their final roster as Opening Day is less than a week away which is why so many roster moves have been made.
MLB insider Shi Davidi announced this evening thatr pitcher Ryan Yarbrough has decided to opt out of his contract under the XX(B) free agent rule which means the team now has until Sunday at 2PM to add him to the roster or he becomes a free agent.
Another moving part for the Blue Jays: Ryan Yarbrough is exercising an out as an XX(B) free agent, according to an industry source. Team has until 2 p.m. Sunday to add him to the roster or he becomes a free agent.
This rule is only for player that have at least 6 years of service in the MLB and if they exercise this rule, the team must add this player to their 26 man roster or they will be forced to either pay him a $100,000 retention or release him from his contract.
If a club signs an Article XX(B) free agent to a Minor League contract between a period after the conclusion of the World Series and 10 days before the start of the next season, it must decide by noon ET five days before Opening Day whether it will add the player to its 26-man roster or MLB injured list at the outset of the season.
If the club does not agree in writing to add the player to its Opening Day 26-man roster or MLB injured list, it must either grant the player his immediate unconditional release or agree to pay the player a retention bonus of $100,000 (to be paid on or before April 15 of the upcoming season). -MLB
If the club does not agree in writing to add the player to its Opening Day 26-man roster or MLB injured list, it must either grant the player his immediate unconditional release or agree to pay the player a retention bonus of $100,000 (to be paid on or before April 15 of the upcoming season). -MLB
It will be interesting to see what the Blue Jays end up doing since they clearly need help in the bullpen with all their current injuries but Yarbrough seems to have no interest in bouncing around between the minors and majors while they figure this out.
The only way they can keep Yarbrough is by either paying him or adding him to their 26 man roster, if not his wish comes true and he is once again a free agent.
Source: MLB.com
Retention Bonus (Article XX(B) Free Agents)
Retention Bonus (Article XX(B) Free Agents)
