If you’ve heard the term DFA in baseball and wondered what it means, you’re not alone. DFA stands for Designated for Assignment, and it’s something that happens when a team needs to make a roster change. But what exactly does it mean for a player, and how is it different from other terms like being waived? Let’s break it down.

What Does DFA Mean in Baseball?

In baseball, DFA means Designated for Assignment. When a team designates a player for assignment, they are removing that player from their 40-man roster. This is a move that opens up a spot on the roster, and the team has seven days to decide what happens next.

The team can try to trade the player, place them on waivers, release them, or send them to the minors. So, while it might sound bad, it doesn’t always mean the end of the road for the player.

What Happens After a Player Is DFA’d?

When a player is designated for assignment, the team has a few options within a week:

  1. Put the Player on Waivers: This lets other teams claim the player. If another team claims them, that team takes on the player’s contract.
  2. Trade the Player: If there’s interest, the team might work out a trade. This way, the team gets something in return instead of losing the player for nothing.
  3. Release the Player: The team can simply release the player, making them a free agent. The player can then sign with any team they choose.
  4. Send Them to the Minors: If the player goes through waivers and no team claims them, they can be sent to the minors. But, if the player has been in the majors long enough, they might refuse and become a free agent instead.

Is Being DFA’d Bad?

Getting DFA’d isn’t great news, but it’s not always the end of a career. Some players who get DFA’d end up with a better opportunity on another team. It might also give them time to improve their game in the minors before coming back stronger.

That said, it’s definitely a sign that the player isn’t fitting into their team’s plans at the moment. For some veterans, DFA can mean the end of their time in the majors if no other teams show interest.

DFA vs. Being Waived: What’s the Difference?

DFA and being waived are similar, but there’s a key difference.

  • DFA (Designated for Assignment): When a player is DFA’d, they’re removed from the 40-man roster, and the team has seven days to figure out what to do. This can include being waived, but it gives the team more time and options.
  • Waived: When a player is waived, they’re immediately made available for other teams to claim. If no one claims them, the player can be sent to the minors or released.

So, while waiving is part of the DFA process, DFA is a broader move that gives the team more flexibility.

Why Do Teams DFA Players?

There are a few reasons why a team might DFA a player:

  1. To Make Room on the Roster: If the team needs to add a new player to the roster—like when they sign a free agent or bring someone back from injury—they might DFA another player to make room.
  2. Player Performance: If a player isn’t performing well, the team might designate them for assignment to explore other options.
  3. Business Decisions: Sometimes, a team DFA’s a player due to contract issues or salary management, especially if they want to free up space for a better option.

Notable Examples of DFA in Baseball

A recent example of a high-profile DFA was Madison Bumgarner, a pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks. The team DFA’d him after a rough start to the season in 2023. Bumgarner, a former World Series MVP, was a big name, so it was surprising to many fans.

Similarly, Nick Ahmed of the same team was also DFA’d after spending a decade with the Diamondbacks. These examples show that even big-name players can be designated for assignment if the team feels the need to make a change.

Conclusion

So, what does DFA mean in baseball? It stands for Designated for Assignment, which is a way for teams to clear space on their 40-man roster while deciding what to do next. It’s not always bad news for a player—sometimes, it leads to new opportunities, but it does mean the team is moving in a different direction.

If you love following baseball or betting on games, understanding how DFA works can give you insight into how teams are managing their rosters.

Need expert picks for your baseball bets? Bet Picks Pro sends top picks straight to your phone, helping you stay one step ahead. Try it risk-free for 14 days and see how it can improve your game!