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Some smart person elsewhere asked what happens if the Red Sox try to assign Manny to the minors if he passes through waivers, and he refuses.


[Disclaimer : "Ask Craig About the CBA" is not legal advice. If this information is of any use to you, get an agent!]

The answer is, he can just refuse the assignment, but he also has the option of tearing up his contract and becoming a free agent. I think he would just refuse the assignment though. If Manny terminates the contract, no further money is due him, except of course deferred compensation and the like.

He'd have to be given eight days' written notice by the Sox.

There's actually a cool catch in the CBA. If Manny accepts the assignment to the minors, so long as he's there he can declare himself a free agent at any time he chooses, between the end of the season and the *following* October 15. So as long as he's not on the roster, he has the option of declaring himself a FA. But at any rate, he's unlikely to do that.

Now a corollary to this is whether passing through irrevocable waivers means Manny's contract is automatically termianted.

It doesn't. Manny's contract *could* be terminated if he passes through irrevocable waivers, but that doesn't mean it happens automatically. Passing through irrevocable waivers (and only irrevocable waivers) does *allow* the Red Sox to terminate the contract. But they are then on the hook for any guaranteed money (i.e. all of it).

Also, if another team claims Manny, he has the right to refuse that assignment. He would be a free agent but the contract would be torn up.
Ask Craig About the CBA - Manny Ramirez on Irrevocable Waivers | 7 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
robertdudek - Thursday, October 30 2003 @ 09:54 AM EST (#87003) #
Craig,

I'm not clear about one part of your explanation. If Manny refuses assignment does that mean he gets his money anyway?
Craig B - Thursday, October 30 2003 @ 10:04 AM EST (#87004) #
Robert, yes. No player with five years' experience is required to accept anassignment to the minor leagues. The Red Sox could then terminate his contract but would be on the hook for the money.
_Jacko - Thursday, October 30 2003 @ 10:54 AM EST (#87005) #
Hijack:

Lee Sinins reported this morning that Baltimore declined their option on Pat Hentgen. He is a free agent now...
Craig B - Thursday, October 30 2003 @ 12:34 PM EST (#87006) #
NOTE : Some very smart people think I am wrong about this; I'm trying now to figure out whether they are right or not.
_gid - Thursday, October 30 2003 @ 01:47 PM EST (#87007) #
The Red Sox could then terminate his contract but would be on the hook for the money.

This reminds me of the situation with Kevin Appier last year - wasn't that the most expensive release of a player ever, or something close?

Supposing the Red Sox terminate Manny's contract upon refusal of a minor league assignment, or they just release him outright (is there a difference?), and further supposing some other team gives Manny a new contract for say $10MM a year, would it be true that the Red Sox still have to cough up the remaining approximately $10MM/year?
_Spicol - Thursday, October 30 2003 @ 02:23 PM EST (#87008) #
NOTE : Some very smart people think I am wrong about this

Ron IS smart but I'm sure you're right, Craig. You may not be explaining it as clearly as possible though.
Craig B - Thursday, October 30 2003 @ 02:32 PM EST (#87009) #
gid, I think that's correct. Manny could even agree to a minimum contract with someone else, and put the Red Sox on the hook for the rest.
Ask Craig About the CBA - Manny Ramirez on Irrevocable Waivers | 7 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.