Should the MLB...

[Super-Rye]

have a trade deadline? Personally I don't see the point, seeing as you can still make trades after the fact, as evident by a couple teams falling out of the race and selling off some high contracts/old players. Just stupid to me. Either you have the deadline and then teams are set (except for injury callups and stuff) or you don't have one at all. Agree? Disagree? Am I right or am I missing something?

[Bobblehead]

Trades that have been occurring for the past month mean the player must pass through waivers before they can be traded. As of last night at midnight, teams can still trade but the players are not allowed on playoff rosters.

If anything, I'd like the deadlines a bit earlier.

[troutman]

But other teams never really claim a player on waivers in these situations, do they? So, there really is no trade deadline in practice.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by troutman

But other teams never really claim a player on waivers in these situations, do they? So, there really is no trade deadline in practice.

I was wondering that. I know the Jays lost Tony Beatista a few years ago, but I'm not sure that is the same thing (there are a bunch of different types of MLB waivers)

It may happen more than we know, but the player isn't actually traded. Here is a story where Andru Jones was claimed, but he is still with the Braves so I guess no trade was consummated. I think I recall a few others like this - 2 teams come to a trade agreement but the player now has to go through waivers, and instead another teams claims him first so the player is withdrawn from waivers and can no longer be traded.

[socalwingfan]

Originally Posted by troutman

But other teams never really claim a player on waivers in these situations, do they? So, there really is no trade deadline in practice.

It used to be that way, but when Steve Phillips was GM of the Mets, he was one of the first GMs to break the unwritten code of not claiming players. Since then it has become almost impossible to get an impact player through waivers, but there are always a few exceptions. Bill Stoneman of the Angels was on the radio yesterday saying it's almost impossible to pull of a waiver deal these days.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by troutman

But other teams never really claim a player on waivers in these situations, do they? So, there really is no trade deadline in practice.

Waivers are revocable. So for all we know, there have been many trades that were agreed to that were squashed by a team claiming one of the players on waivers.

Personally, I like the system as it exists. MLB has many trade deadlines, and each deadline restricts how a player can be moved. Shrewd GMs can make good deals after July 31. IE: Pat Gillick aquiring David Cone for our World Series run in 1992.

[socalwingfan]

I think the majority of people would be surprised to find out how many high-end players are put on waivers every year. It's one way GMs gauge an interest in a player, and once they are claimed they pull them right off. Almost every player on a team is put on waivers one time or another during the season.

[Resolute 14]

Actually, if you read the ravings of one of the biggest tools in sports journalism - Richard Griffin - you would know how many times Carlos Delgado was placed on waivers. That guy makes Bruce Dowbiggin look like a Flames cheerleader by comparison.