Here's your primer on the roster rules for options, waivers, and the Rule 5 draft, and where things stand for Athletics players at the start of the season.
With the Oakland Athletics opening day roster set, and a decision on whether Felix Doubront or Jesse Hahn will start on Friday postponed until then, let's do a quick refresher on the A's options and Rule 5 draft rules and then review the options status of the A's 40-man roster and the Rule 5 draft exposure of their top prospects.
Options
Generally, every player on a major league 40-man roster has three "option years" that allows a player to be sent to the minor leagues without having to obtain waivers.