Does anybody know if a player can be hit with a demotion penalty in this situation:

Player just acquired in a trade.

10 yr ML player.  Still has 2 Options, so I can assign him to AAA without waivers.

Roster expansion is in 2 days. I want to get him on the 40-man so he can be on my ML playoff roster.

I don't want to risk a demotion penalty for any player on the ML team, so I don't want to demote one of them for 2 days.

I've assigned several players I've gotten in trades to a lower MinL level than they were at and I've never seen a demotion penalty.  But I don't think I've ever crossed the ML to MinL line.  And I could have just been lucky with the other players.

Anyone know for sure how this works?

Thanks.  -T

I'll piggy back. Can anyone be demoted prior to the rule 5 without penalty or only post roster expansion call ups?

Posted by topoftheworl on 1/5/2012 1:59:00 AM (view original):
I'll piggy back. Can anyone be demoted prior to the rule 5 without penalty or only post roster expansion call ups?

I've seen demotion penalties at every part of the calendar.  Before, during, and after the season.  They seem less common during the playoffs, but I've got a very small sample set, so I wouldn't bank on that.

I called up a good def C after roster expansion a few seasons ago.  Demoted him before the season started the following year. He got a big demotion hit after being in the ML just a few weeks (plus the off season).  He was a boarder line prospect before.  Very good D and hit just enough to be a backup.  Demotion penalty pretty much wiped out his chance of ever getting back to the ML.

You can assign to any level without a demotion penalty. I have never done it with a major league guy, but have done it several times with a minor leaguer who I wanted at a lower level.

And top, you can demote any time before Spring Training without a penalty.

Just put him on the 40 and leave him unassigned.  Once rosters expand, assign him to the majors

Posted by tedwmoore on 1/5/2012 9:34:00 AM (view original):
You can assign to any level without a demotion penalty. I have never done it with a major league guy, but have done it several times with a minor leaguer who I wanted at a lower level.

And top, you can demote any time before Spring Training without a penalty.

I have received a demotion penalty before when assigning a player to a lower level than the one he played with his former organization. I've never done it with a ML-to-MiL, but I know you do run the risk of a demotion penalty when a player is sent to a lower minor league level, so I see no reason it would be different ML-to-MiL.

I confirmed with support (via tickets) that this was working properly. Here is the relevant language from Ticket #93763.

ME:
... I traded for a pitching prospect who had been "rushed" up the minor league ladder. When I assigned him to the lower level where I wanted him pitching for me, his ratings took a slight hit.

1) Was this a bug/error of some kind, or do players who are assigned to lower levels following trades risk a "demotion" penalty?

2) Does that answer change if the assignment is to a minor league level after the player was in the big leagues?

SUPPORT:
Any time you assign a player to a roster there is a chance for the ratings to increase or decrease. Additionally, if you're assigning a player to a lower level then he was playing at there is a good chance for a demotion penalty...

Posted by jptrainwreck on 1/5/2012 12:28:00 PM (view original):
Just put him on the 40 and leave him unassigned.  Once rosters expand, assign him to the majors

Thanks!

Posted by zbrent716 on 1/5/2012 2:58:00 PM (view original):

Posted by tedwmoore on 1/5/2012 9:34:00 AM (view original):
You can assign to any level without a demotion penalty. I have never done it with a major league guy, but have done it several times with a minor leaguer who I wanted at a lower level.

And top, you can demote any time before Spring Training without a penalty.

I have received a demotion penalty before when assigning a player to a lower level than the one he played with his former organization. I've never done it with a ML-to-MiL, but I know you do run the risk of a demotion penalty when a player is sent to a lower minor league level, so I see no reason it would be different ML-to-MiL.

I confirmed with support (via tickets) that this was working properly. Here is the relevant language from Ticket #93763.

ME:
... I traded for a pitching prospect who had been "rushed" up the minor league ladder. When I assigned him to the lower level where I wanted him pitching for me, his ratings took a slight hit.

1) Was this a bug/error of some kind, or do players who are assigned to lower levels following trades risk a "demotion" penalty?

2) Does that answer change if the assignment is to a minor league level after the player was in the big leagues?

SUPPORT:
Any time you assign a player to a roster there is a chance for the ratings to increase or decrease. Additionally, if you're assigning a player to a lower level then he was playing at there is a good chance for a demotion penalty...

Thanks for the information. This runs counter to my experience and also from what I have heard from others...I will need to adjust my practice going forward.

Posted by jptrainwreck on 1/5/2012 12:28:00 PM (view original):
Just put him on the 40 and leave him unassigned.  Once rosters expand, assign him to the majors

Can you leave a guy unassigned indefinitely? I thought players had to be assigned withing 10 days of acquisition.