Players Contract Clauses

Sorry if Posted: Players options:

Contract clauses: Four non-roster invitees have clauses in their contracts that would allow them to opt out and become free agents if they aren't guaranteed a roster spot by Wednesday.

Outfielder Matt Cepicky, infielder Mike Kinkade and relievers Matt Herges and Kerry Ligtenberg will know their fates with the club on Wednesday.

What happens to some of them will also affect veteran pinch-hit specialist Lenny Harris, a non-roster invitee who doesn't have an out option. Harris has six hits in 31 at-bats, appearing several times as a pinch-hitter.

Cepicky went 1-for-3 in Tuesday's 12-7 win over the Mets at Roger Dean Stadium. Ligtenberg struggled in relief, giving up three runs on five hits in two innings.

For the spring, however, Ligtenberg has given up just three runs in 10 2/3 innings.

Herges may have the strongest chance of making the club. A seasoned setup man, he is an option to close. And he's helped his cause by not allowing a run in 11 2/3 innings.

Kinkade, who has played third base and first base, has six hits in 34 at-bats.

There is a chance the club could keep Cepicky and Harris, giving them two left-handed bats off the bench.

"I feel I have a pretty good chance," Cepicky said. "I don't know what the situation is, but I feel I have a good chance."

Regarding his option possibility, Cepicky said: "It's one of those things where I could go somewhere else if I want to. I don't plan on it. I plan on making the team. I've been given good chances. I would have liked to have done better, but today I was called upon to pinch-hit, I singled and had an RBI. That's going to be my job if I make the team."

Cepicky has also worked at first base.

The 41-year-old Harris finds himself in the same spot he's been in for years. Nothing is guaranteed, but as he says, "When the bell rings, I'm ready."

Harris batted .314 for the Marlins last year, collecting 19 pinch-hits. He holds the Major League record for most career pinch-hits with 212.

"I feel OK. I'm fine," Harris said. "This is like a waiting list. I'm waiting to see what they're going to do. All I can do is sit and wait and see what they say."

Harris is a proven veteran, and he realizes that with so many young players in camp, the organization needed to get a long look at them.