Notes On The Opt-Outs For Brandon Inge And Jonathan Sanchez
John Dreker at Pirates Prospects notes that Inge's and Sanchez's opt-out clauses are part of the new CBA: major-league free agents who sign minor-league contracts are entitled to opt out of their contracts five days before opening day if they don't make the 25-man roster, collect a $100,000 retention bonus if they don't opt out, and opt out again on June 1 if they are still in the minors.
So the presence of these clauses in the contracts isn't an indication that the Pirates are semi-guaranteeing Inge and Sanchez roster spots; they had to include them.
Brad Hawpe isn't entitled to similar opt-outs because he sucks wasn't on a 40-man roster at the end of last season.



