Can't someone just claim Mini-Mart?
Yesterday, when the Phillies saw Raul Valdes get claimed on waivers by the Houston Astros and then Tyler Cloyd get claimed on waivers by the Cleveland Indians you had to figure that they were not the only ones the Phillies were trying to pass through waivers to clear 40-man roster space. Three others also went through a waiver journey in addition to those two. Zach Miner, Michael Martinez, Mauricio Robles and Pete Orr all were outrighted off of the 40-man roster.
That means that none of them are likely to go away. We can look forward to more of these guys in 2014 when the major league club succumbs to injury, or September callups, perhaps. The other 29 Major League teams passed on the opportunity to put these players on their roster. All three would remain under Phillies control, and could make appearances at Spring Training once again.
The move frees up 40-man roster space for future acquistions or Phillies that are on the 60-day disabled list. Mike Adams, Jeremy Horst, Kyle Kendrick, John Lannan, and Ryan Howard are all currently on the 60-day disabled list. The moves would free up some extra space too; John Lannan could be non-tendered and become a free agent.
The Phillies will have to add some of their minor league players to the 40-man roster prior to the Rule 5 draft. Anyone not on the 40-man roster who has been in the system four or five years, depending on length of time with the organization, is eligible to be selected from the Phillies system. Phillies prospect Maikel Franco, for example, will need to be added to the 40-man roster prior to the draft, which is held at the winter meetings.
