Marc Hulet and Jim Molony each took turn (on different sites) to see which player are out of options this year and are trying to make a 25-man roster.

Marc looks at six developing stories in the majors: the first basemen, the Detroit bullpen, the fallen prospects, St-Louis and San Francisco's outfield and Colorado's infield.

Jim looks at some interesting  performers that are out of options and explains the rules of options, but I prefer the one on Wikipedia (sorry Jim):

If a player is on the 40-man roster but not on the active major league roster, he is said to be on optional assignment—his organization may freely move him between the major league club and the minor league club. If a player is on the 40-man roster and not the active 25 man roster for any part of more than three seasons, he is out of options and may not be assigned to the minors without first clearing waivers.

However, if a player has less than 5 years of professional experience, he may be optioned to the minors in a fourth season without being subject to waivers. If a major league player is ineligible for free agency and "has options" remaining, his team may option him to a minor league team without consequence. This is usually what is meant when players are "sent down" to the minors. Likewise, when a player on the 40-man roster is added to the active major league roster, he is "called up" to the majors.

For some reason, every one of the six topics I read in that article brought me back to the San Francisco Giants.  They have a golden opportunity with the Inge, Crede, Johnson, Botts and Marte of this world to make a splash, but so far they see to prefer the 'we are pleased with our roster and $126 M-man who hasn't struck out a batter in 12.2 IP'.

This is a bad situation that's just amplified when players speak like that:

"This team is going to be very competitive this year. I guarantee it," Rowand said. "Who knows? If guys have some good years, this team can win the division..."

..."Rowand scrutinized the fine print on the Giants' 71-91 record in 2007, which included a 39-55 record in games decided by two or fewer runs.

"If you take just half of those [defeats] and turn them into wins, you're in the playoffs," Rowand said. "This team isn't far off."

The problem is, the pitching staff was able to hold the opposition to a low score, but even with Rich Aurilia and Barry Bonds in the lineup (and the fact that Bonds was given a free base - 132 walks that include 43 intentional pass), they couldn't get that run in.  Now Rowand (that they, listen to this, plan to bat behind Molina) will resolve this problem?

Uh-oh....


- Speaking of option, Washington Nationals starter John Patterson had none when he was released today and he had just heard the news when he made these comments to the Washington Post:

*On the reasons he was given for the release: "I think I wasn't progressing as fast as they wanted. They weren't seeing what they wanted to be seeing from me. For me to [ potentially] be not 100 percent -- it was a risk they weren't willing to take."

*On whether he's hurt: "I'm not hurt. I just think I didn't progress as fast as they wanted."

*Patterson also said it didn't help his case that Mark Lerner witnessed his most recent start Sunday in Fort Lauderdale against the Orioles, an admittedly rocky performance. "I pitched pretty well my [previous] two starts," Patterson said. "But he didn't see those."

*He also said he was "caught in between" Manager Manny Acta's desire for him "to get outs" and GM Jim Bowden's desire for him to throw more fastballs.