Pre-Season Waiver Claims

[GP830]

I can't seem to find it right now, but I think it was on these very boards within the last day or two. But it was speculated that since the Twins are the reigning worst-record holder, we would have first dibs on certain players left off of opening day rosters at the end of Spring Training. 

 

The example given was that the Twins had put in a claim on JD Martinez in 2014 (I believe) after Spring Training, but ultimately the deal didn't happen. 

 

A- Can somebody speak to this system that I can't seem to find nor put into words? What is it? How does it work?

 

B- Also, what intriguing players are around the league that are currently bubble MLB players who may fall to the Twins in a situation like the one mentioned above?

 

Thanks! 

 

**FOUND THE QUOTE**

"I hope the 25th man is not currently on the roster. The Twins will have the top claim at a time when all teams are making difficult roster decisions. They had an early claim in 2014 when JD Martinez was waived towards the end of spring training. They opted to roster Kubel and Bartlett instead." - Jorgenswest

 

 

[Otto von Ballpark]

FYI, the JD Martinez example was a hypothetical.  Had the Twins put in a claim, they could have had him.  They didn't put in a claim (no one did, apparently, and he was free to sign with whomever he wanted).

 

Outright/release waiver priority is MLB worst to first.  Up through the first 30 days of the season, it is based on the previous season's standings, so the Twins have top priority through May 2nd this year, even after they inevitably storm out of the gate with a 9-0 start.

[GP830]

I see- cool. So a player would have to be outrighted -or- released at the end of Spring Training or within the first 30 days of the season, and then the Twins would get first dibs at signing them?

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I see- cool. So a player would have to be outrighted -or- released at the end of Spring Training or within the first 30 days of the season, and then the Twins would get first dibs at signing them?

Pretty much, although technically the player wouldn't actually get outrighted or released -- that only happens if they clear waivers.  So the Twins wouldn't be "signing" them, just claiming their current contract when they old team puts them on waivers -- including whatever restrictions that entails (i.e. a player out of options would have to be on the Twins 25 man roster, or passed through waivers again to send to the minors).

[GP830]

 

 

Pretty much, although technically the player wouldn't actually get outrighted or released -- that only happens if they clear waivers.  So the Twins wouldn't be "signing" them, just claiming their current contract when they old team puts them on waivers -- including whatever restrictions that entails (i.e. a player out of options would have to be on the Twins 25 man roster, or passed through waivers again to send to the minors).

Are there typically a fair number of these players each year? It'd be interesting to see who may fall into this category this season. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

I don't know numbers, but there are a few.  Obviously most of them aren't terribly good.

 

A good place to start would be to look at MLBTR's "Camp Battles" series, and look at the guys listed as "out of options":

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/camp-battles

 

Not all of those guys will get waived, of course, but a few will.

[GP830]

At first glance, Erasmo Ramirez looks like an intriguing pick-up:

 

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/heres-why-rays-erasmo-ramirez-is-closest-thing-to-baseballs-present-day-fireman/

[Otto von Ballpark]

Erasmo Ramirez is indeed out of options, but he's not getting waived this spring. He is in a battle for a starting spot but would go back to the bullpen if he loses.

 

Looking at out of options guys is the first step, but then you have to consider some context. Like for the Twins, Polanco is out of options but there is zero chance he gets waived this spring. You'd have to look for guys like Danny Santana, Adrianza, Tonkin, etc. on other teams.

 

Rule 5 guys are another target -- if their clubs try to return them to their original team, we would get a chance to claim them first (with the same roster restrictions, of course).

[GP830]

Thank you!

[Otto von Ballpark]

Just scanning those Camp Battle reports, here are some guys that might hit waivers:

 

Tim Beckham, INF, Rays (out of options) http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/beckhti01.shtml

 

Todd Cunningham, OF, Cardinals (out of options) http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cunnito01.shtml

 

Daniel Stumpf, LH RP, Tigers (Rule 5 pick) http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/stumpda01.shtml

 

Alen Hanson, INF, Pirates (out of options) http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hansoal01.shtml

 

Tyler Webb, LH RP, Pirates (Rule 5 pick) http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=webb--000jon

 

Albert Suarez, RHP, Giants (out of options) http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/suareal01.shtml

 

Christian Colon, INF, Royals (out of options) http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/colonch01.shtml

 

Not all of these guys will be waived, but a couple might be.

 

This series has covered about 11 teams so far (plus the Twins).  If they do more teams, I'll try to post any additional names I notice.