2018 Trade Deadline rumors/speculation

[julio]

Here's the beginning of Rule 40:

Rule 40 a)(1)(A) is essentially the 40-man roster as of August 31st, plus certain other lists that don't count against the 40-man roster (60-day DL). The "active" or "on the DL" or "on optional assignment" or "on assignment from another club and not yet reported" is a clunky way of saying "on the 40-man."

[andyb]

But that B clause coupled with injury replacement has let teams replace a player with one at any of their minor league levels. In practice this means a player does not need to be on the 40-man roster before September 1st to be on a playoff roster. Once they let it happen once, they have to let everybody do it.

[zambonir]

Yeah it hasn't happened often enough for a situation to have come up where MLB denies the application. Only way I could see it happening is if they tried to fake an injury.

But you still have a 40-man roster in addition to a playoff roster. So if you did theoretically want to call up Irvin to replace Eickhoff, you would also have to remove someone from the 40 to add Irvin (since Eickhoff, in this situation, would still not be taking up a spot on it).

[Philsmania]

This is how in 2015, Raul Mondesi, Jr. made his ML debut in the WS with the Royals. He wasn't even a September recall that year.

[andyb]

But you still have a 40-man roster in addition to a playoff roster. So if you did theoretically want to call up Irvin to replace Eickhoff, you would also have to remove someone from the 40 to add Irvin (since Eickhoff, in this situation, would still not be taking up a spot on it).

But in September you can practically put anyone on the 60-day DL so putting one player on the 40 is not really a barrier. And other than Mondesi the Irvin situation is almost always predicated by that player coming up in September and playing well.

As I said, these rules are silly. Just come out and say anyone in the organization as of 8/31 is eligible for the playoffs as long as they are put on the 40. Why make teams jump through hoops with injury replacements. If we think Sixto Sanchez could help our bullpen in the playoffs why shouldn't we let that happen? Teams should put their best 25 out there. Isn't that good for the game as long as they are part of the organization already?

[Lawman]

With August comes the waiver trade period. Is there anyone who may be available that you think the Phils should target? This writer thinks they should try to claim Sonny Gray if the NYY make him available:

If Yanks dump Gray, this NL contender should pounce

[Austinfan]

Unfortunately, since we'll be ahead of the Braves and Nats, we won't get a shot.
Neris for Gray might work for both teams.

[EDmuch]

I would try the trade route also to see if we can get around Atlanta and the Nats. I agree our coaches have worked wonders this year and I would like to see them get a shot at fixing whatever bothers Gray.

[julio]

Neris for Gray might work for both teams.

I would try the trade route also to see if we can get around Atlanta and the Nats.

The trouble here is that trading for Gray would also require that he clear waivers - and the Braves or Nats would be just as likely to put in a claim against trade waivers as against release waivers, if their objective is to keep Gray out of Philadelphia.

[EDmuch]

Unfortunately, true.

[zambonir]

Gotta figure Gray doesn't even get out of the AL, even if it is a block or a failed trade