Does anyone know if designating a player for assignment before spring training starts cause a hit to ratings?

I'd like to demote a player to AAA before ST to avoid the hit to the ratings (and conserve an ML year), but can't since I won't have 20 players assigned before the Rule 5.

I don't believe it does.

However, he won't be assigned to the ML roster, so you still won't have 20 guys on the ML roster.

I don't mind not having 20 guys on the roster, I just need to find a way to demote him before the Rule 5 roster freeze.

Unless you're saying it won't let me DFA because I'll have too few players?

Are you asking about designating or demoting?

Because designating a player for assignment *never* risks a hit to ratings.

Well I can't demote because it gives an error of too few players.

If DFA never gives a hit to the ratings, why don't we always DFA and then assign to the minors?

Quote: Originally posted by spudpicker on 3/05/2010Well I can't demote because it gives an error of too few players.If DFA never gives a hit to the ratings, why don't we always DFA and then assign to the minors?

Because assigning to the minors runs the same risk as a demotion. What you describe is two distinct transactions - 1) Designating for assignment (no risk); 2) assign to a level lower than the one he was at (risk).

If you can't demote because it gives you the error of "too few players" you should receive the same error when you try to DFA, because DFA will remove him from the ML roster immediately.

Perfect, thanks for the clarification.

Looks like I need to fill up my roster a more expensive way.

The "solution" is figure out whether saving the year of service is worth a league min. salary this season to you. It probably is, so go find the best released/pro-rated salary guy that there is in FA and sign him to get to 21 guys, then demote your service time saving guy.

By getting a decently-rated pro guy, you also increase the chances of someone else taking a shot on him if you decide to waive him later in the season (so saving the $300k+).

Yep, looks like the best course of action. We'll see what happens.