Vin Mazzaro has cleared outright waivers and has been outrighted to Indianapolis, per the Pittsburgh Pirates. Mazzaro now has three days to accept or reject the assignment. Mazzaro was outrighted to Triple-A once before, prior to the 2013 season. Because this is his second time being outrighted to the minors, he can refuse the assignment and become a free agent. Mazzaro also has the right to decline an outright assignment because he has more than three years of service time.
Mazzaro could opt for free agency, and negotiate a deal with any other team as a minor league free agent. That would put him in the same situation he’s in now with the Pirates, but with a chance to try and find a better opportunity or more money. Currently he’s making $950,000, which he would get if he accepts the outright assignment. If he elects free agency, his contract would be terminated, and the Pirates wouldn’t owe him anything else the remainder of the season.
It’s surprising that another team didn’t want Mazzaro, when all they would have had to pay in the end was the waiver fee and his $950,000 salary. There are a lot of teams around the majors who seemingly need bullpen help at the Major League level. At this point I would be surprised if Mazzaro does sign with another team. Any team that needs him now, could have had him for his $950,000 salary. So it’s unlikely that a team that needs him will offer him that same deal or better as a free agent.
The Pirates currently have an open spot on the 40-man roster. If Mazzaro stays, he would likely be the first person to be called up for the bullpen if an injury occurs, taking that open 40-man spot. The Pirates can’t place him on the 40-man roster before an injury occurs, since he’s out of options and would need to be on the 25-man roster once he’s placed on the 40-man roster.
