Monday, February 06, 2006

RAPG DFA'd

Pet-a-genie has been designated for assignment, to make room on the 40-man roster for new Venezuelan national hero Alex Gonzalez. Seems like a weird choice, given all the backup catchers on the roster. And we never really got to see what the guy could do. Well, uh, good luck, Roberto.

(Since we're on the subject, am I the only one who hates the term "designated for assignment"? I always thought it was one of the dumber euphemisms out there. I assume we say it rather than "fired" because of the salary obligations involved - is that right? The Wikipedia entry for "designated for assignment", while amusing, doesn't help much.)

7 comments:

  1. Just because he's DFA's does not mean he was fired. Yet. They have 10 days to trade or release.

    Perhaps they will make a minor deal.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I know; I was exaggerating. If he is released, the Sox still owe him his salary, right? And any other team just pays the league minimum? There's gotta be a better term than "DFA". (Or am I totally off with all this?)

    ReplyDelete
  3. It's called 'designated for assignment' because what it really is is an attempt for the MLB club to move the player to the minor leagues. If that player has enough service time, they can refuse such an assignment, which is what almost always happens, so we never hear about that part. At that point, the 'trade or release' period starts up.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks; so it's really a euphemism for "banished to the minors".

    ReplyDelete
  5. Earl, I think it's more like, "Don't call us, we'll call you". Or maybe in relationship terms, "I just need some space, but we should totally keep hooking up if I get desperate".

    ReplyDelete
  6. Dino - nice analogy.

    As for the salary part, I don't think the Sox owe him any money. Had it been during the season and the player had a guaranteed non two-way contract then yes they would still have to pay him.

    Also DFA's generally relates only to moving the player off the 40 man roster.

    ReplyDelete
  7. "I just need some space, but we should totally keep hooking up if I get desperate"

    That is awesome.

    ReplyDelete