Suspensions: Interesting Situation

[Copperfields]

I'm posting this here because Nick has been MIA since September, and since he's one-third of the current Executive Committee I figured this would be a way to get more discussion than just Rich and I kicking e-mails back and forth.

Guillermo Mota has just been suspended by MLB for 50 games. Mota's not currently on a CFCL roster (though I believe he was during the season). Our rules read:

Players who are suspended by MLB cannot be moved from the Active Roster to the Reserve List. Exception: If a player is suspended for more than 10 games, he can be reserved after he has served 10 games of the suspension.

Mota won't begin serving his suspension until next year, obviously. If Mota were on a CFCL roster at this point, would his team be allowed to let him go during Winter Waivers or on Roster Freeze Day? Since we require the player to server 10 games before we allow the team to reserve him, would the same hold true for waiving the player? Does the fact that the suspension came during the off-season make a difference?

[Demreb]

I know David posted this here to hear from the rest of you, but I'll enter my two copper colored round metal objects.

First of all, when the rule was written I think we all felt that we were dealing with in-season issues. I didn't realize that drug testing took place year round.

With that as a base, I'm thinking that if Mota were on a CFCL roster, he would be eligible to be waived during Winter Waivers or cut for Roster Freeze Day. Were he to be kept going into the season, THEN he would have to remain on the active roster for 10 games/days before being reserved.

Since he's not on a current roster, if he were to be drafted next year then he would remain on the active roster for 10 days/games before being reserved. But at least the owner would know it going in, kind of like bidding on a guy on the 60 DL except that in this case you couldn't reserve him immediately after the draft.

NICK!!!!! WHERE ARE YOU??

[redhots]

I think if he was in fact on someone's roster then the owner should be able to waive him during Winter Waivers or cut for Roster Freeze Day. If he was kept by the owner then the rule should be in effect where he would have to remain on the active roster for 10 games/days before being reserved.

My question would be if he was selected in the reserve draft would he have to be put on the active roster for 10 days/games before being reserved?

[stones]

redhots said:

My question would be if he was selected in the reserve draft would he have to be put on the active roster for 10 days/games before being reserved?

I agree with everything Bob wrote, except I would think if we draft a person in the rotation round, that isn't usually a starter. Therefore, it would be acceptable to bench this person for the duration of thier suspension. Just my nickel minus a few pennies.

[MGrage]

Hey,

I think there's a precedent for not requiring a team to keep a player through Winter Waivers and Roster Cutdown. It's when you sign a Free Agent to more than .24. You're allowed to discard him if he signs with an AL team. I know it's not exactly apples to apples but I think the gist is the same. I'm pretty much in agreement with everyone here. Mahalo

Matt