The Major League Baseball Players Association today released the Elias rankings for all 183 players that have been deemed to be "potential" free agents for the 2009-10 off-season. The term “potential” pertains to contract provisions with allow options, for either the player or club, to exercise. For example, Manny Ramirez is one such player. He exercised his player option for the 2010 to allow him to remain with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Some clubs have exercised options to release players. An example would be J.J. Putz with the New York Mets. The Elias rankings are important in determining draft pick compensation, should a player sign with another team (a player that files for free agency can resign with their former club. Case in point, Alex Rodriguez who resigned with the Yankees in 2007) Players are ranked as A, B, or no ranking what so ever. Clubs that sign a Type A free agent then give their 1st-round pick to the player’s former club. The exception would be unless the pick rank...
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