The Salt Lake Tribune is reporting that the M’s have signed 19th round pick Aaron Jensen. Jensen, if you recall, was considered an early-round pick but was thought to be headed to BYU.
I’m doing an online chat (“I am an Unternet proponent!”) tomorrow (today, Wednesday) over at BP, noon PST. Swing by, throw me some questions.
I heard Giles was claimed by San Diego today, which would clear that up.
With LA apptly benching Ventura, I’d like to suggest again that the M’s see if they can’t get LA to cough him up for a bucket of baseballs.
So without knowing entirely the post-season roster rule for DL-and-re-add, here’s what I think the M’s playoff roster is going to look like:
Catchers (3): Wilson, Davis, Borders
Infielders (6): Olerud, Boone, Guillen, Cirillo, Bloomquist, Sanchez
Outfielders (3): Winn, Cameron, Ichiro
Edgar (1): Martinez
Every ball an adventure (2): Mabry, McLemore
Starters (4): Moyer, Meche, Pineiro, Garcia
Relievers (7): Hasegawa, Soriano, Mateo, Sasaki, Rhodes, Franklin, Benitez
That’s 26, I know, and the cut will come from the infield, Mabry/McLemore, probably not the bullpen. What I suspect will happen is that the team will put Colbrunn on the roster and leave the last two position guys off, to sub one of them back on before the first round.
Well, that’s more like it.
Ah, the wonder of the Internet, where a thousand conflicting stories can exist at once. Thank goodness MLB is so open about their transaction and roster rules, otherwise we’d never be able to answer these questions. If anyone can get a copy of the rules to fall off a truck, email us and we’ll set something up.
So, here’s what we know for sure:
You have to set your playoff roster on Aug 31. It’s 25 players, all of who…. ?#1
You can put guys on the DL on the playoff roster, and then later replace them (pitcher for pitcher, player for player), as long as.. ?#2
Question #1
a. Must have been on the 25-man on or before that date, but don’t have to be there on August 31st
b. Must be on the 25-man on August 31st
I believe it’s option a.
Question #2
a. The player named was on the 25-man on or before August 31st
b. The player named was somewhere in the organization on or before August 31st.
I believe it’s option a, in no small part because otherwise, all those people in baseball wouldn’t have been screaming that Francisco Rodriguez was on the Angels playoff roster illegally. Not that we should expect baseball people to be right all the time.
Anyway, we’re still looking.
It’s true that SD would have had first dibs if they claimed Giles, but I heard that Giles had cleared waivers, meaning he got all the way through the NL and then the AL before he’d cleared, meaning the M’s (and others) passed. Maybe that was wrong, reports on waiver claims/clearances are as unreliable as they get.
I’m trying to find the rule explaining this, but haven’t come up with anything. Google searches turn up tons of hits, but they’re all for post-season roster eligibility in fantasy leagues. I can report, however, that fantasy league webpages which address this use the “If he’s been on the 25-man roster at any point before September 1st, he’s eligible” standard, and I have to guess they got that from somewhere.
I’ve always been under the impression that your team, as of August 31st, was your postseason roster, barring loophole changes. I’m willing to be wrong if we can find some evidence, though.
The Mariners wouldn’t have had a chance to claim Giles. The Padres, with the worst record in the NL, had first dibs on everyone traded from the National League. Once they claim him, they work out the deal, and everyone else is helpless.
And yes, McLemore and Mabry would be my suggested releases. I realize it won’t happen, but they’re really the only choices. Neither deserve a spot on a major league roster, especially a contending club like the Mariners.
Gotta go with Derek on this one. I think as long as a player has been on the 25-man roster at any point before September 1st, he’s eligible for the post-season roster — he doesn’t have to be on the actual 25-man roster at 11:59:59pm on August 31st.
As far as I know, they haven’t closed the Bob Wolcott / Francisco Rodriguez loophole.
Also, Dave, you’ve been advocating picking up Tony Clark and Matt Stairs. Who are you going to take off the 25-man roster? I’m guessing you’re going to say Mark McLemore (not gonna happen) and John Mabry (should happen, regardless of acquisitions).