Retention Bonus (Article XX(B) Free Agents)

Definition

If a club signs an Article XX(B) free agent to a Minor League contract between a period after the conclusion of the World Series and 10 days before the start of the next season, it must decide by noon ET five days before Opening Day whether it will add the player to its 26-man roster or MLB injured list at the outset of the season.

If the club does not agree in writing to add the player to its Opening Day 26-man roster or MLB injured list, it must either grant the player his immediate unconditional release or agree to pay the player a retention bonus of $100,000 (to be paid on or before April 15 of the upcoming season).

Players paid the retention bonus can request to be granted their unconditional release on June 1 if they are not added to the 26-man roster or MLB injured list by then. This request must be submitted in writing no later than 2 p.m. ET on May 28.

To qualify for this rule, a player must have at least six years of MLB service time and have finished the previous season on a club's 40-man roster or 60-day injured list.