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A series of rapid-fire transactions involving righthander Scott Blewett have laid bare MLB’s growing roster‑management dilemma. In barely over a week, he joined three clubs, each expecting him to contribute on the mound. Beyond wins and losses, the human cost of such churn (frequent relocations, housing hunts, uprooted families) often goes unseen. This revolving‑door reality is baked into the collective bargaining‑era waiver rules, but it’s time for the league to consider guardrails that balance team flexibility with players’ welfare.
Blewett’s Whirlwind Week
On April 12th, the Twins designated Scott Blewett for assignment, to open a roster spot for left‑hander Kody Funderburk. Blewett, 29, had logged two scoreless outings early in the season, but he became the odd man out with the Twins reshuffling their bullpen.
Baltimore pounced on April 14th, claiming Blewett off waivers and immediately adding him to its 40‑man roster. Manager Brandon Hyde viewed him as low‑leverage depth, and Blewett responded by tossing two innings over two games, striking out three and walking none. It wasn’t enough to keep him on the roster.
Despite his solid performance, the Orioles designated Blewett for assignment after just one week, trading him to the Braves on April 20th for cash considerations. Atlanta, seeking bullpen stability, activated him on April 21st, making them the third team to count on his arm in eight days. Each claim and DFA moved Blewett through a new clubhouse, new coaching staff, and new expectations almost overnight. This roster shuffling is just one example of something that happens regularly in baseball.
The Human Toll
The grind of constant exposure to waivers and trades extends beyond stat lines. Each new designation forces players to find temporary housing, navigate club‑arranged apartments or hotels, and often relocate children and spouses on short notice—or leave their families behind.
While MLB has improved minor‑league housing guarantees, big‑league call‑ups and players floating on the fringes of rosters still shoulder relocation costs themselves or rely on precarious team assistance. This upheaval can fracture family routines, disrupt schooling, and erode mental health, especially for journeymen who know it's a cycle that is likely to last as long as their career does. Scott Blewett’s week‑long tenure in three cities is emblematic of a system that values roster flexibility over player stability.
The DFA Conundrum
So, how do these moves work? Designating a player for assignment removes him from a club’s 40‑man roster, giving the team seven days to trade, release, or place him on waivers. If another club claims him, he joins the new team’s 40‑man roster. If not, he can be outrighted to the minors or released. (If a player has been outrighted before, upon clearing waivers again, they have the right to elect free agency.)
Waiver claims follow a reverse‑order priority based on winning percentage, meaning struggling teams have first dibs. But when a player like Blewett is in demand, multiple teams can place a claim on him. Whichever is in worst shape will get him, only to put him through the wringer again when their roster needs shift. This churn benefits front offices seeking short‑term depth, but it leaves players in limbo.
Solutions and Potential Reforms
Mandatory retention window: Requiring teams to keep a claimed player on the 40‑man roster for a minimum span (like 10 days) would discourage quick turnaround claims aimed purely at depth. A retention rule could reduce hurried moves and give players time to settle in. The rule against recalling a player within 15 days of optioning them to the minors is a good precedent.
Waiver‑claim bonus: Instituting a modest bonus, perhaps prorated per day each time a player is claimed, could offset moving costs and acknowledge the player’s contribution. For example, a $10,000 stipend upon each claim would help cover travel and housing expenses. The CBA already requires teams to pay amounts ranging from $1,200 to $2,200 (depending on the distance between the player's old and news teams' home cities) to players who change teams via waiver claim or trade between mid-March and the trade deadline, but a more robust amount would more fairly reflect the upheaval involved in these types of moves.
Centralized relocation assistance: While MLB now guarantees minor‑league housing, big‑league journeymen still face gaps. A central fund administered by the Players Association could provide interest‑free relocation loans, short‑term furnished apartments, and counseling services to those shuttling between clubs.
Cap on claims per season: Limiting the number of waiver claims a player can incur in one season, akin to service‑time protections, could prevent endless carousel cycles and encourage teams to commit more fully to each claimed player. The latest CBA is the first to stipulate that a team can only option a player to the minor leagues five times within a season. Next, a similar (hopefully, even more restrictive) rule should protect players from being shuttled between big-league teams without the right to elect free agency.
Blewett’s recent odyssey underscores a growing tension between roster agility and player well‑being in modern baseball. As teams exploit DFA rules for competitive advantage, the league and union should collaborate on reforms that temper roster churn and shield players from the whirlwind. Balancing organizational needs with humane considerations will stabilize players’ lives and enrich the game’s integrity and spirit.
What other solutions can MLB offer players facing the same situation as Blewett? Leave a comment and start the discussion.
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