The 2017 campaign has nearly a month remaining, and even with the Oakland A’s in last place there’s a lot to watch with all the rookie auditions. However, there is one early part of the offseason that we can already start thinking about: How to get the roster down to 40 players in the weeks after the World Series. I’m considering only the following:
- Outrighting/releasing/DFA’ing any immediately expendable chaff
- Activating members of the 60-day disabled list
- Protecting prospects from Rule 5 draft
- Non-tender candidates
Let’s not get too hung up on exact deadlines.