Why are players across MLB now on waivers? Guide to rules, eligibility before playoffs
A number of players across Major League Baseball, including the Mets' Carlos Carrasco and the Yankees' Harrison Bader, were placed on irrevocable waivers on Tuesday night.
What does that mean exactly?
The other 29 teams across Major League Baseball will have an opportunity to claim any of the waived players and pick up the remainder of their salary before the Sept. 1 playoff roster deadline. If a player is claimed before Sept. 1, they will be eligible for the postseason.
Claims are awarded in reverse order of winning percentage, so teams with the worst records will get first crack at the pool of players.
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If the waived player is not claimed, they will stay on their current roster.
A player can reject an outright assignment to the minor leagues and opt for free agency if he has more than three years of Major League service time or was previously outrighted in his career. Players with more than three but less than five years of MLB service time would forfeit any guaranteed money if they rejected an outright assignment.
Teams are on the hook for any guaranteed money for any players with five or more years of major league service time if that player elects free agency following an outright assignment to the minor leagues.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: How do MLB waivers work? Full explainer on meaning, rules
