This is something that has been bugging me for a long time. How do the minor league option years work? For Example, mlb4u.com is saying that Youkilis and Papelbon still have an option year left. I was always under the impression that both were out of options.

Players with 1 or more options remaining as of March 2007:


Jeremy Accardo, Brian Bannister, Matt Belisle, Omar Beltre, William Bergolla, Mike Burns, Todd Coffey, Chris Coste, Chris Denorfia, R.A. Dickey, Greg Dobbs, Juan Dominguez, Scott Feldman, Josh Fogg, Armando Galarraga, Justin Germano, Kevin Gregg, Zack Greinke, John-Ford Griffin, Runnelyvs Hernandez, Omar Infante, Jeff Keppinger, John Koronka, Kameron Loe, Dustin McGowan, Joe Nelson, Laynce Nix, Jonathan Papelbon, Joel Peralta, Paul Phillips, John Rheinecker, Casey Rogowski, Josh Rupe, Jeff Salazar, Ramon Santiago, Brian Shackelford, Ryan Spilborghs, Cory Sullivan, Matt Treanor, Ryan Wagner, C.J. Wilson, Edison Volquez, Kevin Youkilis

you start with 3 options. for each mlb season played you lose an option, so after 3 yrs in the bigs you can't be sent down unless you clear waivers