As usual, players only get three option years meaning that only over the course of three years can they be sent to the minors without their approval. After that, they are allowed to choose free agency and be placed on waivers if they don't want to be sent to minors. Option Years often play a huge factor in MLB rosters and that's no different for the Diamondbacks. In years past, that's why prospects have been sent down since players like Wyatt Mathisen and others didn't have any options left. What players are on the Diamondbacks 40-man roster that don't have any options this year and must stay with the big league team the entire year?
1B Christian Walker
Walker's been without options since 2019 when he was competing to replace Paul Goldschmidt as the team's first baseman. Walker only has 3.124 years of service time and is in his first year of arbitration. He isn't projected to reach free agency until the age of 34 in the year 2025.
Utility INF Sergio Alcantara
Alcantara is a good defensive infielder who provides hardly any offense. he was originally a prospect of the Dbacks until he was traded by them with two other prospects for JD Martinez in 2017. Now he's back with the team serving as a backup until Ahmed is healthy. Despite still being a rookie, he has zero options remaining which means that the team can't send him down to the minors without exposing him to waivers.
RHP Noe Ramirez
Noe Ramirez came to the Dbacks as a free agent in 2021 after he left the Angels. He's a veteran bullpen arm that performed well as a middle-reliever for the Diamondbacks. He has 4.083 years of service time and can't be sent to the minors without being exposed to waivers. The 32-year old pitcher won't be a free agent until after the 2024 season.
RHP J.B. Wendelken
Wendelken came to the Diamondbacks via a waiver claim after the Athletics attempted to send him to the minors with no options remaining. Therefore he still has no options which guaranteed him a spot in the bullpen. He performed well down the stretch for the team in a middle-relief role. J.B. has 3.028 years of service time. The 29-year old pitcher is not a free agent until after the 2025 season.
Players that have One Option year left
These players only have one year left that they can be freely sent to the minors, however not all of these players would truly be realistic options unless some horrific downturn of play occurred.
C Carson Kelly
OF Jordan Luplow
RHP Corbin Martin
RHP Humberto Castellanos
RHP Sean Poppen