The Braves might still make a trade or two even though we are three days past the non-waiver trade deadline. The process just became more complicated, not impossible.
Like all teams, the Atlanta Braves may freely negotiate trades with other teams anytime during the year except with one obvious exception that no one talks about. Before I wander farther, I’ll clarify a few terms.
Player assignment: Any player movement is technically an assignment. A player optioned to Gwinnett is technically optionally assigned there. A player traded to the Mets has his contract assigned to the Mets.
Waivers: A waiver is simply approval to do something that’s restricted in some way by the rules. There are three types of waivers allowed by Major League Rule 10 – Major League Waivers.
-
- Trade Assignment Waivers
- Outright Assignment Waivers
- Unconditional Assignment Waivers
The first two are collectively referred to as Assignment waivers.
Waivers are granted only after each Major League Team has the opportunity to accept assignment of the player on their own roster by putting in a claim. If no claim is received, the waiver to assign granted. Once granted, the waiver is good for a specific period depending on the type of waiver.
Rule 10 (b) (1) Trade Waivers
Trade assignment waivers are required for any (trade) of a player that a team wants to carry out beginning at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on July 31 (the “Non-waiver Trade Deadline) and ending at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the seventh day prior to the end of the season. This year that’s 12:00 PM on September 23.
If July 31 falls on a Saturday, the Non-waiver Trade Deadline begins a day early at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, July 30. If July 31 falls on a Sunday, the Non-waiver Trade Deadline begins a day late, at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, August 1. This year? It was Tuesday.
Requesting a waiver
Teams may request assignment waivers in writing or electronically, Monday through Friday. Requests received after 2:00 PM are treated as being received on the following day. If a request arrives after 2:00 PM Friday, it’s considered to have arrived the following Monday.
- Routinely team put all players on the 25-man roster through waivers but may request waivers on no more than seven players at a time
- Waivers may not be requested with ten days or less remaining in the season
- These waivers are typically revocable – that is, they may be rescinded
The Commissioner’s office notifies the other teams of waiving requests each day at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The waiver notice includes the time and date the claiming period ends.
Once notified, those teams have 47 hours to file their claim. Unlike a waiver request, the claiming period includes weekends.
Waivers Requested by 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on: Waiver Claim Must Be Entered by 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on: Monday Wednesday Tuesday Thursday Wednesday Friday Thursday Saturday Friday Sunday Saturday Monday Sunday Tuesday