mainly for the new guys. players are exempt for their first 3 seasons. meaning exemption #1 is used after their first qualifying season, exemption #2 after their second such season, exemption #3 after their third. to burn an exemption, a batter must make 50 or more plate appearances. a pitcher must start 5 or more games or make 10 or more total appearances. for example, madison bumgarner... appeared in 4 games (1 start in 2009). he did not use his first exemption after 2009. made 18 starts in 2010, so his first exemption was used after that season. he made 33 starts in 2011, so second exemption used after that season. he made 32 starts in 2012, so he used his third and finalexemption this year. in other words, his points do not count against your cap going into 2013.