Wada Ya Gonna Do?

Some additional info regarding the Cubs recent 40-man roster moves: 

RYAN KALISH: He has one minor league option left, but Optional Assignment Waivers must be secured before he be optioned to the minors. NOTE: Because Optional Assignment Waivers are revocable, clubs almost never claim players off Optional Assignment Waivers because the waiver request can be withdrawn if the player is claimed, but it is a restriction and a potential roadblock. Kalish also cannot elect free-ageny if outrighted AT THIS TIME because he has not been outrighted previously in his career (he was non-tendered by Boston, but not outrighted) and he has not yet accrued three years of MLB Service Time. However, he is on target to reach three years of MLB Service Time on August 15th, so if the Cubs want to outright Kalish at some point during the 2014 season and don't want to take the chance that he will elect free-agency, they would need to do so prior to 8/15. As long as he remains on the 40-man roster he will be under club control through the 2017 season (unless he is outrighted, released, or non-tendered in the meantime), and he will be first-time eligible for salary arbitration post-2014.  

JOHN BAKER: Even though it seems like he has been around forever, Baker (like Kalish) actually has one minor league option left, and he can be optioned to the minor without having to give his permission as long as he is optioned prior to April 30th (after which he will have accured five years of MLB Service Time and cannot be optioned or outrighted to the minors without gving his permission in advance). As with Kalish, Optional Assignment Waivers would have to be secured before Baker can be optioned to the minors (again, essentially just a formality), and he can elect free-agency if he is outrighted to the minors (again, must give his permission in advance before he can be sent to minors starting on 4/30). The Cubs will retain control over Baker through the 2015 season (Baker will be eligible for salary-arbitration post-2014, and will be an MLB Article XX-B FA post-2015... if he isn't released or non-tendered in the meantime...).

BRIAN SCHLITTER: He has two minor league options left, but (as is the case with Kalish and Baker) Optional Aassignment Waivers must be secured before Schlitter can be optioned to the minors, although (again) Optional Assignment Waivers are basically just a formality because they are revocable the first time requested in a given waiver period (that is, waiver request can be withdrawn if player is claimed). Note also that once secured, Optional Assignment Waivers are good for the entire waiver period. Schlitter also can elect free-agency if outrighted, because he has been outrighted previously in his career. 

EMILIO BONIFACIO: He has no minor league options left and he has accrured 5+066 MLB Service Time through the 2013 season, so he cannot be outrighted to the minors unless he gives his permission in advance. He can be released, though, except if he is released during the regular reason (and the regular season has started) the Cubs would be on the hook for his entire $2.5M salary (minus whatever he might get from another club after being released, which would almost certainly be the pro-rated MLB minimum salary). He will be an MLB Article XX-B FA post-2014.  

ALBERTO CABRERA: If Outright Assignment Waivers can be secured, Cabrera can be sent outright to the minors and he cannot elect free-agency if outrighted (he has not been outrighted previously in his career and/or he has not accrued at least three years of MLB Service Time), but if he is outrighted he will automatically be declared a six-year minor league free-agent (MLB Rule 55 FA) if he is not added back to an MLB 40-man roster or signs a 2015 Minor League Successor Contract by 5 PM (Eastern) on the 5th day following the conclusion of the 2014 World Series. But the Cubs could outright him and thenj (if he pitches well at Iowa) they could add him back to the 40-man roster anytime during the 2014 season or post-2014 up until 5 PM (Eastern) on the 5th day following the conclusion of the World Series. Also, any MLB club claiming Cabrera off waivers would have the same problem the Cubs have (had), which is he is out of minor league options and so he can only be sent to the minors after Outright Assignment Waivers have been secured. A young player not yet established as a major league player who is out of minor league options is a lot like a Rule 5 player. (A pain in the ass).  

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