Why a trade deadline?

[TrueOrange]

I am new to baseball as far as watching the sport regularly, so forgive me for not knowing this. I was wondering though, why is there a trade deadline in major league baseball if teams can still trades afterwards? I know the other leagues stop trades after that point, so why does baseball have one if trades can be made afterwards....such as the adam dunn trade earlier? What's the significance of the league's trade deadline?

 

[VOLinthaNATI]

I am new to baseball as far as watching the sport regularly, so forgive me for not knowing this. I was wondering though, why is there a trade deadline in major league baseball if teams can still trades afterwards? I know the other leagues stop trades after that point, so why does baseball have one if trades can be made afterwards....such as the adam dunn trade earlier? What's the significance of the league's trade deadline?

Now if you trade someone they have to clear waivers first. If you annouce a trade after the deadline the player could be claimed by any other team who puts waiver out on them. Before the trade deadline you cannot do this.

 

[TrueOrange]

Now if you trade someone they have to clear waivers first. If you annouce a trade after the deadline the player could be claimed by any other team who puts waiver out on them. Before the trade deadline you cannot do this.

ok, thanks. Just a question based on the wording, the player doesn't have to clear waivers if traded before the deadline, right?

 

[GAVol]

ok, thanks. Just a question based on the wording, the player doesn't have to clear waivers if traded before the deadline, right?

Correct . . . Anybody traded after Aug 31st has to clear waivers. Once a player is put on waivers, teams are allowed to file waiver claims in reverse order of the standings which makes it possible for trades to be blocked.

 

[005]

Yeah, and the deal the red sox almost made for giles was interesting... they did it partially to block him from going to the Rays, then he didn't even want to go to the sox.

This whole deal confused me for a longggg time too.

 

[JTrainDavis]

Yeah, and the deal the red sox almost made for giles was interesting... they did it partially to block him from going to the Rays, then he didn't even want to go to the sox.

This whole deal confused me for a longggg time too.

It makes for a pretty neat chess match as the season gets hotter, and can also lead to someone getting screwed by claiming someone to block a rival from claiming/trading for a player, only to be stuck with them.

 

[VOLNBAMA]

Maddux to the Dodgers...... for the ones that want to know.