This year for the Twins reminds me of when Denny Green stated the Vikes had no weaknesses in the roster and everyone scoffed. They then went 15-1 and... well Gary Anderson... let's hope these Twins have the same type of regular season but a better playoff run.

Can't the Twins outright him to AAA? He then has the right to either refuse the assignment and elect to become a free agent and forfeit his remaining contract or accept the assignment and stay with the Twins while they continue to pay him his remanding salary? Is that correct?

 

 

No. Nolasco can refuse a minor league assignment, but he doesn't have to elect free agency. He could elect to just stay on the roster until we trade or release him, and he would keep his full contract.

 

Think it through logically: if what you are suggesting was true, there would be a ton of highly-paid underperforming veterans in AAA, because such players would essentially have no choice but to accept the assignment to get paid. Obviously it doesn't work like that, the money is guaranteed and teams have very little leverage to get out from under it. Players in this position invariably get released or traded in a salary dump, but they always collect their full check regardless of their willingness to go to the minors.

 

Sorry but....huh?

Nolasco is owed $12M this season whether he is on the Twins or not, starting or in the pen. All other bullpen options, other than Perkins, are making far less. And in most cases, Tonkin, Pressly, etc, the cost is right around league minimum.

 

Nolasco at $12mil as RP = $12mil

 

Nolasco at $12mil as sunken cost + league minimum RP = $12mil + league minimum

 

No. Nolasco can refuse a minor league assignment, but he doesn't have to elect free agency. He could elect to just stay on the roster until we trade or release him, and he would keep his full contract.

Think it through logically: if what you are suggesting was true, there would be a ton of highly-paid underperforming veterans in AAA, because such players would essentially have no choice but to accept the assignment to get paid. Obviously it doesn't work like that, the money is guaranteed and teams have very little leverage to get out from under it. Players in this position invariably get released or traded in a salary dump, but they always collect their full check regardless of their willingness to go to the minors.

 

Okay, what you are saying makes sense.  But if the Twins assign him to AAA and he refuses, he would still be on the 40 man roster and collecting his salary. 

 

Okay, what you are saying makes sense.  But if the Twins assign him to AAA and he refuses, he would still be on the 40 man roster and collecting his salary. 

Yup.  Actually on the 25-man roster too.  At that point, you can get him off the roster by releasing him, but

there's no realistic way to send him to the minors or avoid paying him the balance of his contract (barring a trade, of course, which also seems unrealistic at this point ).