Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Understanding Revocable Waivers & What David Robertson Could Have Meant to the Yankees


When news broke yesterday that the New York Yankees had claimed a former member of their team off revocable waivers my twitter mentions absolutely blew up. Many were wondering why Yankees GM Brian Cashman was going after another high priced reliever when there were more pressing needs and others were wondering when Robertson was going to make his first appearance back in Yankees pinstripes. Revocable waivers don’t work like that ladies and gentleman and I’d be surprised if Cashman didn’t claim about 99 other pitchers that were on waivers during August. The only reason you’re hearing about David Robertson being claimed by the Yankees is because of one of two things, his contract or the fact that he’s a former Yankees star.

I’ve heard rumors and read blog posts stating that some teams place their entire active roster on waivers at one point or another in the month of July, it’s procedural at this point. If the player is claimed and you don’t want to lose them or don’t want to trade him to the claiming team then you pull him back, simple as that. If the Yankees claimed the last relief pitcher in the Colorado Rockies pen you wouldn’t hear about it, why? Because it doesn’t garner clicks and it doesn’t sell newspapers. This is the reason we’ll never know how many guys Cashman claimed and tried to acquire and this is why we’ll never know why teams like the Baltimore Orioles claim guys with no intention other than to keep them from falling to the Yankees, that’s how this show works.

If you want to kill Cashman for not acquiring talent this season then kill him for not acquiring it before the July 31st trade deadline, not the August 31st trade deadline. Big and meaningful moves rarely happen in August because of these games that teams often like to play. Keep so and so away from this team, keep this GM from bettering his team and simply claim the guy so the next time around the waivers are not revocable. It’s all a set of mind games in August which should put the emphasis more on the July 31st trading deadline for all GM’s around the league.


Could you imagine though? A 2015 Yankees bullpen and beyond with Andrew Miller closing games, Dellin Betances pitching the 8th, David Robertson pitching the 7th and some combination of Chasen Shreve, Justin Wilson and Adam Warren in the 6th inning and prior? Game, set and match. Too bad this was all to block the Toronto Blue Jays and not about improving the team, it would have been nice to have a four or five headed monster in that bullpen. 

9 comments:

  1. two names cry out. Hal and the Elf and thats why we didn't improve

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    1. Cashman tried, claimed a ton of guys according to reports. Should have gotten the job done in July though because nothing is a given or easy in August.

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  2. He claimed people to block the Jays. Come on Burch you're smarter than that.

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    1. He claimed Robertson for sure, the names of players he claimed were not released so we don't know 100%

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    2. He claimed Robertson to block Toronto. He wouldn't pay him then why pay him now?

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  3. FLAME.....as in, this season.

    I think I'm too close to the flame. In fact, I am.
    I am taking my men off the field of engagement.

    For now, too much frustration, as others bolster their lines, while ours is weakening.
    I must take a step back, for now. I do not deal with this well.
    For you that move forward....God Speed.

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    1. Little p,

      I don't get it. If the season ends today the yankees are hosting a playoff game. With a good series head to head against Toronto youre back in first. Why the willingness to give up?

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  4. Hans, the same reason he was willing to pay Gyorko and Kimbrel, he wants to improve the team despite what a lot of people think

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  5. Burch I personally don't believe that about the other guys for a second. I believe Coupon Clipper Hal has stopped the spending and the best Cashman could do was Ackley. By the way how can the Elf make any trades now that his two trading partners have dried up. Jack Z let go by Mariners and Dave D now with the Roid Sux. Now you'll never see a trade from the elf.

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Sorry for the Capatcha... Blame the Russians :)