Option Years - 2011 Baltimore Orioles

[Crazysilver03]

This will be my last post for the foreseeable future so I figured I would make it this thread.

COTs has a very good analysis of what an option year is:

Options
An option (optional assignment) allows a club to move a player on its 40-man roster to and from the minor-leagues without exposing him to the other 29 teams.

After 4 or 5 years as a professional, a player must be added to his club?€™s 40-man roster or exposed to the 29 other clubs in the Rule 5 draft. (A club has 5 years to evaluate a player who signs his first pro contract at 18 years old or younger, but only 4 years to decide on a player who signs at age 19.) For purposes of calculating years as a pro, the counting begins the day a player signs his first pro contract, not the season he begins to play.

When a player is added to the 40-man roster, his club has three ?€œoptions,?€? or three separate seasons during which the club may to move him to and from the minor leagues without exposing him to other clubs. A player on the 40-man roster playing in the minors is on optional assignment, and within an option season, there is no limit on the number of times a club may demote and recall a player. However, a player optioned to the minor leagues may not be recalled for at least 10 days, unless the club places a Major League player on the disabled list during the 10-day window.

After three options are exhausted, the player is out of options. Beginning with the next season, he must clear waivers before he may be sent to the minors again. See Waivers. Additionally, a player with 5 years of Major League service may not be sent to the minor leagues on an optional assignment without his consent.

Counting option years
?€?If a player is not sent to the minors during a year, an option is not used.
?€?If a player is on the 40-man roster in spring training but optioned to the minors before the season begins, an option is used.
?€?If a player?€™s optional assignment(s) to the minors total less than 20 days in one season, an option is not used.
?€?A player may be eligible for a fourth option year if he has been optioned in three seasons but does not yet have five full seasons of professional experience. A full season is defined as being on an active pro roster for at least 90 days in a season. (If a player is put on the disabled list after earning 60 or more days of service in a single season, his time on the DL is counted.) The 90-day requirement means short-season leagues (New-York Penn, Northwest, Pioneer, Appalachian, Gulf Coast, Arizona Rookie, Dominican and Venezuelan Summer Leagues) do not count as full seasons for the purposes of determining eligibility for a fourth option.

Adams, Ryan
Options Remaining: 2/3 (currently serving first option year)
Reason: Adams was brought up to replace Brian Roberts in May 2011. He was optioned after only getting a handful of starts.

Andino, Robert
Options Remaining: 0/3
Reason: The Marlins purchased his contract on 9/2/2005. He was optioned for the first time on 3/25/2006. He was optioned for a second time on 3/23/2007. He was optioned for a third and final time on 5/25/2008. Andino was sent outright to AAA Norfolk at the end of Spring Training 2010 with the acquisition of Julio Lugo from the St. Louis Cardinals. He was later added back to the 40 man roster in September 2010 and remained on the roster over the winter.

Angle, Matt
Options Remaining: 2/3 (currently serving first option year)
Reason: Angle was added to the 40 man roster in November 2010. Angle was optioned at the end of ST 2011.

Arrieta, Jake
Options Remaining: 3/3
Reason: Arrieta's contract was purchased on June 11th 2010 to make his major debut against the New York Yankees.

Bell, Josh
Options Remaining: 1/3 (currently serving second option year)
Reason: Bell had his contract purchased in November 2009. He was optioned for the first time following Spring Training 2010. He was optioned for the second time following Spring Training 2011.

Bergesen, Brad
Options Remaining: 0/3 (currently serving final option year)
Reason: The Orioles purchased his contract on 11/18/2008 to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He was optioned to the minors for the first time on 3/21/2009. Bergesen was sent to the minors on 4/20/2010 but was recalled on 5/1/2010. Bergesen was optioned to the minors again on 6/14/2010 and remained in the minors for more than 20 days throughout the season. Bergesen was optioned to the minors for four days in 2011, from 4/9 to 4/13 before being recalled for an injured starter. He was later optioned on 5/29/11.

Berken, Jason
Options Remaining: 2/3 (currently serving first option year)
Reason: The Orioles purchased his contract on May 26th 2009. Berken was optioned to Norfolk on 5/26/2011 to help him work on his command.

Britton, Zach
Options Remaining: 3/3
Reason: Britton was added to the 40 man roster in November 2010. Britton was optioned on 3/29/2011 but was recalled on 4/3/2011 so an option year was not used.

Davis, Blake
Options Remaining: 3/3
Reason: Davis replaced Ryan Adams on the active roster in June 2011.

Erbe, Brandon
Options Remaining: 1/3 (Currently serving second option year)
Reason: Erbe had his contract purchased in November 2009. He was optioned for the first time during Spring Training 2010. He was optioned for the second time during Spring Training 2011.

Florimon, Pedro
Options Remaining: 1/3 (Currently serving second option year)
Reason: Florimon had his contract purchased in November 2009. He was optioned for the first time during Spring Training 2010. He was optioned for the second time during Spring Training 2011.

Jakubauskas, Chris
Options Remaining: 1/3 (currently serving second option year)
Reason: Jaku was added to the major league roster by Seattle in 2009, who sent him down for only a few days before calling him back up. He was DFA'ed by Seattle and picked up by Pittsburgh, who optioned him for a month before recalling him. He joined Baltimore as a minor league free agent and was added to the 40 man roster to make a spot start. He has taken the bus to Norfolk several times.

Johnson, Jim
Options Remaining: 0/3
Reason: The Orioles purchased Johnson?€™s contract on 11/18/2005. The Orioles optioned Johnson to the minors for the first time on 3/16/2006. On 3/12/2007, the Orioles optioned Johnson to the minors for a second time. The Orioles optioned Johnson to the minors in March of 2008, but he spent less than 20 days in the minors so his optional assignment is withdrawn. Johnson was optioned to Norfolk on 5/1/2010 to make room for the returning Brad Bergesen on the major league roster. Johnson was recalled on 5/28/2010 and placed on the major league DL, unfortunately, the final option was used.

Lebron, Luis
Options Remaining: 1/3 (Currently serving second option year)
Reason: Lebron had his contract purchased in November 2009. Lebron was optioned for the first time during Spring Training 2010. He was optioned for the second time during Spring Training 2011.

Mahoney, Joe
Options Remaining: 2/3 (Currently serving first option year)
Reason: Mahoney was added to the 40 man roster in November 2010. Mahoney was optioned to the minors for the first time during Spring Training 2011.

Patton, Troy
Options Remaining: 0/3 (Currently serving final option year)
Reason: On 8/25/2007, Patton had his contract purchased by the Astros after completing his fourth season in the minors. Patton remained with the Astros throughout September of 2007. Patton was optioned in Spring Training 2009 and 2010. Patton was optioned for a final time during Spring Training 2011.

Pie, Felix
Options Remaining: 0/3
Reason: The Cubs selected Pie?€™s contract on 11/18/2005. He was optioned to the minors for the first time on 3/26/2006. He was optioned for a second time on 3/26/2007. He was optioned for a third and final time on 5/14/2008.

Reimold, Nolan
Options Remaining: 0/3 (currently serving final option year)
Reason: Reimold had his contract purchased on 11/18/2008 to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He was optioned for the first time during Spring Training 2009. After opening up with a horrendous beginning to his 2010 season, Reimold was sent to Norfolk to work out some of his issues in May and has remained in Norfolk. Reimold was optioned for a final time at the end of ST 2011.

Simon, Alfredo
Options Remaining: 0/3
Story: Had his contract purchased by the Phillies on 11/19/2003. He was optioned for the first time on 3/13/2004 by the Phillies. Upon being traded to the Giants during the 2004 season, he was optioned for a 2nd time on 3/14/2005. He was optioned for a 3rd and final time on 3/13/2006. He was sent outright to the minors on 7/29/2006.

Snyder, Brandon
Options Remaining: 1/3 (currently serving second option year)
Reason: Snyder had his contract purchased for the first time in November 2009. Snyder was optioned to the minors during Spring Training 2010. Snyder was optioned following ST 2011.

Spoone, Chorye
Options Remaining: 0/3 (Currently serving final option year).
Reason: The Orioles purchased his contract on 11/18/2008 to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. Spoone was optioned to the minors in Spring Training 2009, 2010, and 2011.

Tatum, Craig
Options Remaining: 0/3 (currently serving final option year)
Reason: He was added to the Reds' 40 man roster following the 2007 season and was optioned in Spring Training of 2008 and 2009. Tatum was optioned for the returning Matt Wieters on July 25th but was recalled before 20 days had transpired, so the option is still valid for 2011. Tatum was optioned following the 2011 ST.

Tillman, Chris
Options Remaining: 1/3 (currently serving second option year)
Reason: The Orioles purchased his contract on 7/29/2009 to make his major league debut against Kansas City. Tillman was optioned to the minors for the first time during Spring Training 2010. Tillman was optioned to the minors on 5/29/2011.

Viola, Pedro
Options Remaining: 1/3 (Currently serving second option year)
Reason: Viola was called up by the Reds to make his major league debut on September 2, 2009. He was optioned for the first time in March 2010 and was designated for assignment on April 11th before being claimed by the Orioles on April 21st. After giving up 18 runs in 8.2 IP at Norfolk, Viola has been sent demoted to Bowie. He was optioned for a second time during Spring Training 2011.

Accardo, Jeremy
Options Remaining: 0/3
Reason: Accardo had his contract purchased by the Blue Jays during the 2005 season, during which he was subsequently optioned for the first time. Accardo was optioned during the 2006 season for only a few days so an option year was not used. Accardo was later optioned during the 2009 and 2010 seasons.
Atkins, Mitch
Options Remaining: 1/3
Reason: Atkins was added to the Cubs?€™ 40 man roster in November 2008. He was optioned in 2009 and 2010 before being designated for assignment following the season and electing to become a minor league free agent.

Fox, Jake
Options Remaining: 0/3
Reason: Fox was optioned by the Cubs in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

Gabino, Armando
Options Remaining: 2/3
Reason: His contract was purchased in October 2008 by the Twins to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He was optioned for a first time in April 2009. The Orioles picked him up off waivers after the Twins DFA'ed him during the off-season. The Orioles then managed to pass him through waivers and send him to the minors without using an option. He was brought back in September but was later removed from the roster and resigned as a minor league free agent.

Hughes, Rhyne
Options Remaining: 2/3
Reason: Hughes had his contract purchased in November 2009. He was optioned to the minors for the first time during Spring Training 2010. Hughes was removed from the 40 man roster following the 2010 season and remained with the Orioles on a minor league contract.

Rapada, Clay
Options Remaining: 0/3
Reason: Rapada was added to the Ranger?€™s 40 man roster in November 2006. He was optioned in 2007, 2008, and 2009 before being removed from the roster and staying with Texas following the 2009 season. He rejoined the Ranger?€™s major league roster in 2010 but was subsequently released during the off-season.

VandenHurk, Rick
Options Remaining: 0/3
Reasons: The Marlins optioned Vandenhurk in 2008, 2009, and 2010. He was acquired by the Orioles for Will Ohman at the trade deadline in 2010 and was consequently sent down to Norfolk.

Three Options Remaining:
Arrieta, Jacob
Britton, Zach
Davis, Blake
Matusz, Brian

Two Options Remaining:
Adams, Ryan (currently serving first option year)
Angle, Matt (currently serving first option year)
Berken, Jason (currently serving first option year)
Gabino, Armando [not on 40 man roster]
Hughes, Rhyne [not on 40 man roster]
Mahoney, Joe (currently serving first option year)

One Option Remaining:
Atkins, Mitch [not on 40 man roster]
Bell, Josh (currently serving second option year)
Erbe, Brandon (currently serving second option year)
Florimon, Pedro (currently serving second option year)
Jakubauskas, Chris (currently serving second option year)
Lebron, Luis (currently serving second option year)
Scott, Luke
Snyder, Brandon (currently serving second option year)
Tillman, Chris (currently serving second option year)
Viola, Pedro (currently serving second option year)

Zero Options Remaining:
Accardo, Jeremy [not on 40 man roster]
Andino, Robert
Bergesen, Brad (currently serving final option year)
Fox, Jake [not on 40 man roster]
Guthrie, Jeremy
Johnson, Jim
Patton, Troy (currently serving final option year)
Pie, Felix
Rapada, Clay [not on 40 man roster]
Reimold, Nolan (currently serving final option year)
Rupe, Josh [not on 40 man roster]
Simon, Alfredo
Spoone, Chorye (currently serving final option year)
Tatum, Craig (currently serving final option year)
VandenHurk, Rick [not on 40 man roster]

Note: I have excluded Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, Brian Matusz, Luke Scott, Koji Uehara, Matt Wieters, and Jeremy Guthrie from the list for different reasons.

[Rclynch82]

Awesome stuff, appreciate the breakdown from someone who has trouble understanding these things.

[isestrex]

Excellent research as always, silver.

Sticky please!!

[OFFNY]

This will be my last post for the foreseeable future .......

You actually have a life outside of the Oriole Hangout ???


.

[Crazysilver03]

The Orioles optioned RHPs BRANDON ERBE and CHORYE SPOONE and LHPs TROY PATTON and PEDRO VIOLA to Triple-A Norfolk. RHP LUIS LEBRON and INF PEDRO FLORIMON were optioned to Double-A Bowie.

No real surprises.

Of importance, both Patton and Spoone will begin serving their final option year, though in regards to Spoone, the Orioles could probably petition and receive a fourth option year based on his injury history.

[isestrex]

Sticky!!

[Crazysilver03]

Made the update to reflect Joe Mahoney being optioned yesterday.

[Crazysilver03]

By the end of Spring Training, the Orioles had also optioned Matt Angle (1st), Josh Bell (2nd), Zach Britton (1st), Nolan Reimold (3rd), Brandon Snyder (2nd), and Craig Tatum (3rd).

Adrian Rosario was returned to the Brewers, while the Orioles re-obtained Pat Egan.

Rick VandenHurk was passed through waivers and is off the 40 man roster.

Josh Rupe was added to the 40 man roster. He has zero options remaining so when his time comes, he will have to be DFA'ed off the roster.

As of right now, the Orioles 40 man roster stands at 39 with the removals of Rosario and VDH and the addition of Rupe.


Now, I want to discuss briefly Zach Britton, Nolan Reimold, Craig Tatum, Troy Patton, and Chorye Spoone.

Without getting into the discussion, Britton must remain down for at least 20 days in the minors to push back his service time by a year. By staying down 20 days, he subsequently uses an option year.

Regarding the final four I list, they are all serving their final option year so the Orioles need to find out soon if they are in the long-term plans. It appears Patton has been shifted to the bullpen permanently for the coming season, which is how he would help the major league team. Tatum was told to expect to be back up at the majors but it will be interesting to see if he is in the minors for less than 20 days, like last season, which helped to preserve the option year. The Orioles will probably be able to petition and receive an extra option year for Spoone because he missed most of 2009.

[Crazysilver03]

Finally updated the OP.

Berken was optioned for the first time, while Tillman is serving his second option year, and Bergesen is about to see his final option year expire.

Added Jaku and noted that Fox and Rupe are off the 40 man roster.

Also of note, as of now, Britton has not used an option year.

[Crazysilver03]

Updated the thread to include:
-Jeremy Accardo off the 40 man roster
-Blake Davis added to the 40 man roster
-Ryan Adams added and optioned off the 40 man roster
-Alberto Castillo is no longer with the organization

[Frobby]

Zero Options Remaining:
Accardo, Jeremy
Andino, Robert
Bergesen, Brad
Fox, Jake
Guthrie, Jeremy
Johnson, Jim
Patton, Troy
Pie, Felix
Rapada, Clay
Reimold, Nolan
Rupe, Josh [not on 40 man roster]
Simon, Alfredo
Spoone, Chorye
Tatum, Craig
VandenHurk, Rick

Quite a few guys on this list who are not shoe-ins to be on the 2012 roster. We won't have the luxury of sending guys like Bergesen, Fox, Patton, Reimold and Simon to AAA without exposing them to waivers. Probably more of an issue for Bergy and Fox, since I'd expect Patton, Reimold and Simon to be on the 25-man roster barring an upset.

[CA-ORIOLE]

Thanks for the work on this. That no option list is a bit concerning.

[Crazysilver03]

Zero Options Remaining:
Accardo, Jeremy
Andino, Robert
Bergesen, Brad
Fox, Jake
Guthrie, Jeremy
Johnson, Jim
Patton, Troy
Pie, Felix
Rapada, Clay
Reimold, Nolan
Rupe, Josh
Simon, Alfredo
Spoone, Chorye
Tatum, Craig
VandenHurk, Rick

Quite a few guys on this list who are not shoe-ins to be on the 2012 roster. We won't have the luxury of sending guys like Bergesen, Fox, Patton, Reimold and Simon to AAA without exposing them to waivers. Probably more of an issue for Bergy and Fox, since I'd expect Patton, Reimold and Simon to be on the 25-man roster barring an upset.

Those in red are free agents. Those in blue were already claimed on waivers.

[Crazysilver03]

This will be my last post for the foreseeable future so I figured I would make it this thread.

COTs has a very good analysis of what an option year is:

Options
An option (optional assignment) allows a club to move a player on its 40-man roster to and from the minor-leagues without exposing him to the other 29 teams.

After 4 or 5 years as a professional, a player must be added to his club?€™s 40-man roster or exposed to the 29 other clubs in the Rule 5 draft. (A club has 5 years to evaluate a player who signs his first pro contract at 18 years old or younger, but only 4 years to decide on a player who signs at age 19.) For purposes of calculating years as a pro, the counting begins the day a player signs his first pro contract, not the season he begins to play.

When a player is added to the 40-man roster, his club has three ?€œoptions,?€? or three separate seasons during which the club may to move him to and from the minor leagues without exposing him to other clubs. A player on the 40-man roster playing in the minors is on optional assignment, and within an option season, there is no limit on the number of times a club may demote and recall a player. However, a player optioned to the minor leagues may not be recalled for at least 10 days, unless the club places a Major League player on the disabled list during the 10-day window.

After three options are exhausted, the player is out of options. Beginning with the next season, he must clear waivers before he may be sent to the minors again. See Waivers. Additionally, a player with 5 years of Major League service may not be sent to the minor leagues on an optional assignment without his consent.

Counting option years
?€?If a player is not sent to the minors during a year, an option is not used.
?€?If a player is on the 40-man roster in spring training but optioned to the minors before the season begins, an option is used.
?€?If a player?€™s optional assignment(s) to the minors total less than 20 days in one season, an option is not used.
?€?A player may be eligible for a fourth option year if he has been optioned in three seasons but does not yet have five full seasons of professional experience. A full season is defined as being on an active pro roster for at least 90 days in a season. (If a player is put on the disabled list after earning 60 or more days of service in a single season, his time on the DL is counted.) The 90-day requirement means short-season leagues (New-York Penn, Northwest, Pioneer, Appalachian, Gulf Coast, Arizona Rookie, Dominican and Venezuelan Summer Leagues) do not count as full seasons for the purposes of determining eligibility for a fourth option.

Adams, Ryan
Options Remaining: 2/3
Reason: Adams was brought up to replace Brian Roberts in May 2011. He was optioned after only getting a handful of starts.

Andino, Robert
Options Remaining: 0/3
Reason: The Marlins purchased his contract on 9/2/2005. He was optioned for the first time on 3/25/2006. He was optioned for a second time on 3/23/2007. He was optioned for a third and final time on 5/25/2008. Andino was sent outright to AAA Norfolk at the end of Spring Training 2010 with the acquisition of Julio Lugo from the St. Louis Cardinals. He was later added back to the 40 man roster in September 2010 and remained on the roster over the winter.

Angle, Matt
Options Remaining: 2/3
Reason: Angle was added to the 40 man roster in November 2010. Angle was optioned at the end of ST 2011.

Arrieta, Jake
Options Remaining: 3/3
Reason: Arrieta's contract was purchased on June 11th 2010 to make his major debut against the New York Yankees.

Bell, Josh
Options Remaining: 1/3
Reason: Bell had his contract purchased in November 2009. He was optioned for the first time following Spring Training 2010. He was optioned for the second time following Spring Training 2011.

Bergesen, Brad
Options Remaining: 0/3
Reason: The Orioles purchased his contract on 11/18/2008 to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He was optioned to the minors for the first time on 3/21/2009. Bergesen was sent to the minors on 4/20/2010 but was recalled on 5/1/2010. Bergesen was optioned to the minors again on 6/14/2010 and remained in the minors for more than 20 days throughout the season. Bergesen was optioned to the minors for four days in 2011, from 4/9 to 4/13 before being recalled for an injured starter. He was later optioned on 5/29/11.

Berken, Jason
Options Remaining: 2/3
Reason: The Orioles purchased his contract on May 26th 2009. Berken was optioned to Norfolk on 5/26/2011 to help him work on his command.

Britton, Zach
Options Remaining: 2/3
Reason: Britton was added to the 40 man roster in November 2010. Britton was optioned on 3/29/2011 but was recalled on 4/3/2011. Britton was later demoted on July 9th and wasn't recalled until July 30th.

Davis, Blake
Options Remaining: 3/3 [not on 40 man roster]
Reason: Davis replaced Ryan Adams on the active roster in June 2011. Davis was optioned to the minors at the end of August but was later DFA'ed.

Florimon, Pedro
Options Remaining: 1/3
Reason: Florimon had his contract purchased in November 2009. He was optioned for the first time during Spring Training 2010. He was optioned for the second time during Spring Training 2011.

Johnson, Jim
Options Remaining: 0/3
Reason: The Orioles purchased Johnson?€™s contract on 11/18/2005. The Orioles optioned Johnson to the minors for the first time on 3/16/2006. On 3/12/2007, the Orioles optioned Johnson to the minors for a second time. The Orioles optioned Johnson to the minors in March of 2008, but he spent less than 20 days in the minors so his optional assignment is withdrawn. Johnson was optioned to Norfolk on 5/1/2010 to make room for the returning Brad Bergesen on the major league roster. Johnson was recalled on 5/28/2010 and placed on the major league DL, unfortunately, the final option was used.

Lebron, Luis
Options Remaining: 1/3 [not on 40 man roster]
Reason: Lebron had his contract purchased in November 2009. Lebron was optioned for the first time during Spring Training 2010. He was optioned for the second time during Spring Training 2011 but was later DFA'ed.

Mahoney, Joe
Options Remaining: 2/3
Reason: Mahoney was added to the 40 man roster in November 2010. Mahoney was optioned to the minors for the first time during Spring Training 2011.

Patton, Troy
Options Remaining: 0/3
Reason: On 8/25/2007, Patton had his contract purchased by the Astros after completing his fourth season in the minors. Patton remained with the Astros throughout September of 2007. Patton was optioned in Spring Training 2009 and 2010. Patton was optioned for a final time during Spring Training 2011.

Rapada, Clay
Options Remaining: 0/3
Reason: Rapada was added to the Ranger?€™s 40 man roster in November 2006. He was optioned in 2007, 2008, and 2009 before being removed from the roster and staying with Texas following the 2009 season. He rejoined the Ranger?€™s major league roster in 2010 but was subsequently released during the off-season.

Reimold, Nolan
Options Remaining: 0/3
Reason: Reimold had his contract purchased on 11/18/2008 to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He was optioned for the first time during Spring Training 2009. After opening up with a horrendous beginning to his 2010 season, Reimold was sent to Norfolk to work out some of his issues in May and has remained in Norfolk. Reimold was optioned for a final time at the end of ST 2011.

Simon, Alfredo
Options Remaining: 0/3
Story: Had his contract purchased by the Phillies on 11/19/2003. He was optioned for the first time on 3/13/2004 by the Phillies. Upon being traded to the Giants during the 2004 season, he was optioned for a 2nd time on 3/14/2005. He was optioned for a 3rd and final time on 3/13/2006. He was sent outright to the minors on 7/29/2006.

Snyder, Brandon
Options Remaining: 1/3
Reason: Snyder had his contract purchased for the first time in November 2009. Snyder was optioned to the minors during Spring Training 2010. Snyder was optioned following ST 2011.

Tillman, Chris
Options Remaining: 1/3
Reason: The Orioles purchased his contract on 7/29/2009 to make his major league debut against Kansas City. Tillman was optioned to the minors for the first time during Spring Training 2010. Tillman was optioned to the minors on 5/29/2011.

VandenHurk, Rick
Options Remaining: 0/3
Reasons: The Marlins optioned Vandenhurk in 2008, 2009, and 2010. He was acquired by the Orioles for Will Ohman at the trade deadline in 2010 and was consequently sent down to Norfolk.

Viola, Pedro
Options Remaining: 1/3
Reason: Viola was called up by the Reds to make his major league debut on September 2, 2009. He was optioned for the first time in March 2010 and was designated for assignment on April 11th before being claimed by the Orioles on April 21st. After giving up 18 runs in 8.2 IP at Norfolk, Viola has been sent demoted to Bowie. He was optioned for a second time during Spring Training 2011.

Three Options Remaining:
Arrieta, Jacob
Davis, Blake [not on 40 man roster]
Drake, Oliver

Two Options Remaining:
Adams, Ryan
Angle, Matt
Berken, Jason
Britton, Zach
Mahoney, Joe
Matusz, Brian

One Option Remaining:
Bell, Josh
Florimon, Pedro
Lebron, Luis [not on 40 man roster]
Scott, Luke
Snyder, Brandon
Tillman, Chris
Viola, Pedro

Zero Options Remaining:
Andino, Robert
Bergesen, Brad
Guthrie, Jeremy
Johnson, Jim
Patton, Troy
Rapada, Clay
Reimold, Nolan
Simon, Alfredo
VandenHurk, Rick

Need to update following players:
Matt Antonelli
Dylan Bundy
Oliver Drake
Willie Eyre
Tommy Hunter
Darren O'Day
Zach Phillips
Jo-Jo Reyes
Pedro Strop
Chris Davis
Kyle Hudson

[wildcard]

Quite a few guys on this list who are not shoe-ins to be on the 2012 roster. We won't have the luxury of sending guys like Bergesen, Fox, Patton, Reimold and Simon to AAA without exposing them to waivers. Probably more of an issue for Bergy and Fox, since I'd expect Patton, Reimold and Simon to be on the 25-man roster barring an upset.

By the time the off season is over, I think there is a good chance that Simon is not of the 40 man roster. He has good stuff but does have consistent command of it. He is out of options and is arbitration eligible.