Explaining the waiver process
How exactly are deals made after the July 31 trade deadline? Steve Phillips explains the waiver process.
During the waiver period, there are controls on player movement. The waiver process was put in place so teams at the top of the division cannot unilaterally load their clubs for the stretch run. It is a system which favors the teams behind in the standings. Teams with lesser records have the first opportunity to improve themselves and can also block better teams from making deals.
What complicates these trades is the timing necessary to move multiple players through waivers and between teams. It can be done. My first trade as general manager of the Mets was a six-player waiver deal which sent Lance Johnson, Mark Clark and Manny Alexander to the Cubs for Mel Rojas, Turk Wendell and Brian McRae.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
-
ESPN The Magazine subscribers
-
Need more information?
SPONSORED HEADLINES
MORE MLB HEADLINES
- Sources: Mattingly wasn't critical of front office
- Kasten 'understanding' of Mattingly's comments
- Francona expects emotional Fenway return
- Jays' Happ ready to start throwing outdoors
MOST SENT STORIES ON ESPN.COM
EDITORS' PICKS

- Fenway Revisited
- Expecting an emotional series, Terry Francona is back at Fenway. Story »

- On A Collision Course
- Astros and Marlins could set some dubious records. Stark »

- Decisions, Decisions
- The targets and needs of every NL team. MLB Draft

- MLB Draft: NL Central targets
- Bowden: Indians should be sellers
- Szymborski: Best in-house upgrades
- Lindbergh: O's even better in 2013
- Law: Diagnosing Hosmer, Moustakas' woes
