Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
December 15, 2006
Waiver Snafu

The Devil Rays got caught bending the rules on a waiver transaction:

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays' claim and subsequent trade of left-handed pitcher Bobby Livingston was voided by the commissioner's office Thursday, and Livingston then was awarded to the Cincinnati Reds.

The Devil Rays have the highest waiver-claim priority this offseacon by virtue of their major-league worst 61-101 record, so under ordinary circumstances they will receive any player they claim off outright waivers until the next waiver period starts on the 31st day of the 2007 regular season.

However, because the Devil Rays immediately traded Livingston to the Phillies after claiming him from Seattle on Tuesday, they violated Major League Rule 10(h), which states "no Club shall solicit another Club, directly or indirectly, to claim or not claim a player on waivers ... nor shall a Club otherwise act in concert with any Club or Clubs in the operation of the waiver system."

I guess they should have waited a few days before making the trade. I actually find these rules a bit silly. A draft choice, a waiver claim, may have more value for a team in what they can get for the player chosen, and teams should be able to trade those freely.


Posted by David Pinto at 10:09 AM | Transactions | TrackBack (0)
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