Yes, tim, I think that's right re: his pay status etc.

But a guy can actually never play but make it into the Baseball Encyclopedia if he's penciled into a lineup and is then replaced before he does anything.

I'm w ya Jaf. That is why we sit where we do, cuz the bosses see and know all that stuff that makes a player an MLB player. All fans usually see are those stats. This is why many people believe that a pitchers win/loss record is irrelevant. I'd take a pitcher w a 2.50 ERA and a 10-15 record vs one who is 15-10 w a 4.50 ERA. Ben Sheets comes to mind on this topic:) Who by the way, in case you didnt know, is pitching w the Braves after a 2 year absence. He has allowed 1 ER in 3 starts and has 3 W's to show for it...which is 2 more than Cliff Lee:)

gfan, I don't think it depends on his contract. Once he is called up to the big leagues his pay goes up and his service time begins. That would have to do with the contract(CBA) between the players and owners. To my knowledge, they can only be called up and sent down a certain number of times. Once that happens you hear the term 'out of options', which means if the team options the player back to the minors, said player can choose free agency vs being sent back to the minors.

Just a thought...when Greinke was traded for 3 prospects, including, a MUCH needed SS, they of course listed his BA, RBI, and other meaningless offensive stats. Catchers, 2B, SS, and usually CF are there to CATCH and THROW. This is what makes teams successful. Any offense is a plus, but that is not the primary aspect of their job. What about Fielding percentage? in Maldonado's case...SBs vs Attempts? WP/PB? I agree Maldonado has been a very good callup, but what about his quickness behind the plate? He saved many WP's with his ability to block the ball: something that Lucroy had to learn how to do AFTER he came up.

It depends on the contract. If it's in his contract or in MLB criteria that if he's brought up to the parent team, it counts re: his MLB status.

However, he will not be listed as a big leaguer in the Baseball Encyclopedia unless he's actually written into at least one line up. This is the case even if he doesn't play e.g. he is written in as a pinch hitter, the other team changes pitcher, and the pincher hitter's manager replaces him with another pinch hitter. If he's written in, and even if he never plays, ever, he has officially become a MLB player.

It depends on the contract. If it's in his contract or in MLB criteria that if he's brought up to the parent team, it counts re: his MLB status.

However, he will not be listed as a big leaguer in the Baseball Encyclopedia unless he's actually written into at least one line up. This is the case even if he doesn't play e.g. he is written in as a pinch hitter, the other team changes pitcher, and the pincher hitter's manager replaces him with another pinch hitter. If he's written in, and even if he never players, ever, he has officially become a MLB player.

as far as bringing up the minor leauger, isnt there somthing regarding time in service in the bigs? If they bring up a minor leauge player, does the time in service count regardless if he sits on the bench or plays? Pretty confusing and I need clarification if anyone can clarify...

I may be a Bears fan this year, it's hard to say until game day. I'm a 'free agent' fan and no one has ever had an offer on the table that would get me to commit:) The BEST part of the way I do the NFL...my favorite team plays in the superbowl every year:)

For the record, the soon to be bride is a Bears fan. If I was FORCED to choose...

saxcat70: A Bears fan you say? May the curse of the NFL be on you for the season.

SOX!.

we'll even let you become a Bears fan after the pack concedes about game 13. :)

And Gfan...I could get on board w the White Sox...or the Pirates. Maybe I'll post a blog in a few days to announce who I will support now that we are conceding;)

Good point. I guess I was kind of thinking on that line too by suggesting that Martin should go back to AAA to play every day.

"I have no idea how a general manager arrives at the decision to bring up a minor leaguer instead of giving his backup a chance to star"....It seems teams often do this. My theory is that they keep the 2nd best player in AAA so they can get plenty of work instead of pine in their rears.

donnaw, be discreet. There are many fans in Chicago who root for both teams. Depending on where they live they wear their Cubs or Sox t-shirts under their Cubs or Sox sweat shirts. People in Winthrop Harbor and Kenosha need to be extra careful.

gazettefan...my Chicago Cub fan grandson would be very upset if I started cheering for the White Sox! But he doesn't have much to cheer for either right now.

Would it be wrong for Brewers fans to shift a little support toward the first place Chicago White Sox? C'mon, I root for the Brewers.

Good post and thank you sir. Much respect.

I sincerely (and I mean that-no sarcasm) feel disappointed for Brewers fans.I don't feel sorry for the cocky 2011 Brewers bandwagon jumpers(who aren't really fans anyway-and have long since moved on to the Packers no doubt).
Last season was even more interesting for rival fans such as myself because of the Brewers good play and record. I even enjoy baseball more when The Cubs don't stink.
I knew the Brewers could not be anywhere near the same as 2011 once Prince left. That Braun-Fielder combination changed every game and the chemistry of the Brewers will never match that any time soon, if ever.
The true Brewers fans (such as TT) deserve much better than what little success they have received in the last 43 years. Baseball is a great game for the true fan, but your team needs to give you more than just a taste once in a great while(4/43) .
Stray thought(and a strange one maybe for a Cardinals fan)-I found it very upsetting that the Baseball Hall of Fame waited until Ron Santo had passed away to vote him in. He deserved it years and years ago!

Yeah I had heard they'd move their AAA prospect up, but all for not. The SS we got back is a top 50 prospect and could work out good for us!!

All for not...Greinke is now an Angel.

Trading a former Royal to get "The King" (Elvis) strikes me as ironic.
.
That would be a great pull for the Brewers. I would be shocked if Texas gave up Andrus as he is a huge part of their very potent offense. Does that mean Michael Young will become Texas's everyday SS again? Texas does have a crowded infield...so I guess this could happen.

Yeah sry...baseball only:) Yeah I guess the White Sox have 10 rookies on their team?? Any trade would probably include a couple of those guys. I hope we send him to TX and Elvis is part of the package we get back.

wow, lets get back to talking baseball! Hearing the CWS are interested in Grienke but that was a few days ago. Agree with your comment regarding high priced pitchers and the CWS found out the hard way with Peavy however in the long run it has worked, just a risk teams need to take. Glad my team is a buyer not a seller. We will find out in October who was right or wrong.

You did post on the Japanese one. You asked if I could disgrace the U.S.A. anymore, which was one of the more ignorant posts you've ever done(that's something).

I REALLY could not care less what you think I should do Sigma. Get a hobby and quit hating on peeps all the time.

Well, that settles it: We need an addition to the rules.

Yeah, it's not like a large portion of MLB is hispanic.

I was going to comment on the Japanese writing one, cant remember if I did. But if you are going to single out only the tanned skinned players and post up their language of origin you need to do it with all players.. Italians, Germans,...ALL.

Thank you Sigma. Always so sweet of you to take the time to comment. The Crew does Cervecero night and Birrai night so I'm simply copying them:)

Way to solute an American past time sport... with foreign languages...nice.