If I release a player after 76 games, am I still responsible for his salary next season if nobody picks him up?

Yes. Any time you release someone — which is almost never a good idea — you're on the hook for whatever contract he has, including future seasons.

its a better idea to waive him. if someone claims him, than they are responsible for his salary

Posted by joshkvt on 7/9/2015 8:12:00 PM (view original):
Yes. Any time you release someone — which is almost never a good idea — you're on the hook for whatever contract he has, including future seasons.

The only two situations in which I think it makes sense to release a player in HBD:

1) He is about to go to arb this season and you don't want to pay him his arb demands.  You release him with no financial obligation.

2) You have a mutual (or team) option on the player for next season, you are certain you are going to decline that option, and you need next season's cap space this season (to sign a free agent to a long-term contract).  You release the player; you are automatically charged 25% of his salary for next season as if you had declined the option, but his "cap hold" for the following season immediately goes from the full salary to the option price (ie, 25%).

Is this true for minor-league players who have no shot at reaching the majors? How do you get rid of them if not by releasing them?

the only time I'll release minor league player is if he's asking for a major league multi year contract and has little chance of contributing at the major league level

there are usually enough retirements to thin the herd in the minors. if you release a minor leaguer , you'll just have to be active in next season's FA pool for minor league.