What is DFA in Baseball?
Designated for Assignment (DFA) is a common term in Major League Baseball (MLB) that refers to the action by a team to remove a player from its 40-man roster. When a player is designated for assignment, the team has seven days to either trade, release, or outright the player to the minor leagues.
How Does DFA Work?
When a player is DFA’d, he is effectively removed from the team’s active roster. The team must make a corresponding move to fill the vacated roster spot, whether it be calling up a player from the minors or acquiring a player through trade or free agency.
Reasons for DFA
Teams DFA players for various reasons, including poor performance, salary considerations, or the need to clear roster space for another player. In some cases, a player may be DFA’d to make room for a player coming off the injured list.
Case Study: Albert Pujols
One notable example of a player being DFA’d is Albert Pujols, a future Hall of Famer who was DFA’d by the Los Angeles Angels in 2021. Despite his storied career, Pujols’ declining performance and large contract led the Angels to make the tough decision to DFA him.
Statistics on DFA
- According to MLB Trade Rumors, there were over 160 players DFA’d during the 2021 season.
- The New York Mets led the league with 15 players DFA’d, while the Chicago Cubs had the fewest with only three.
- Teams often use DFA as a way to clear roster space without having to release a player outright, giving them more time to explore trade options.
