I claimed a guy off waivers during the season and I can’t assign him anywhere. When I try, I get an error saying he doesn’t have a contract for this season and needs one before being assigned. I’ve never seen this before, and he doesn’t show up on the arb report, FA report, or option report.

Any ideas? He played in the majors for another team this season and then got released.

Sounds like the regular season has ended. If it has, then his contract has expired and he's headed to free agency.

It hasn’t yet. There’s still 12 games left.

I’d send a ticket to admin.

Looks like the last owner that traded for him had the same issue. He traded for him, then after ten days, the system auto released him (likely due to the issue of being unable to assign him).

I don't get it. If he played in the majors this season, he must have a contract. If he was released, he'd be on waivers and any team would be able to pick up his existing contract. If he cleared waivers, he'd be a free agent and you'd be able to sign him for prorated 327k.

OK, here goes, and it's weird. BLUF-- send a ticket.

He was signed to a long-term contract with a mutual option a couple of seasons ago. The player declined his side of the option at the beginning of this season, which (I think) should have made him a free agent. However, since he had less than 3 years of major league experience at the time, the game engine decided he wasn't eligible for free agency and signed him to his team at the veteran minimum of $500K. Once he became unassigned after being traded, presumably the game engine decided that he had no contract, because all he had was a declined option.

This is a bug. Send a ticket.

Thanks for the responses, and particularly the research. I sent in a ticket (hopefully-haven’t done it in years and the process definitely changed). I feel bad for the guy who trades for him.