Quote:
Originally Posted by PSUColonel
I am hoping Markus will start recognizing the actual MLB transaction rules in the next version (also with finances) rather than leaving this overly simplifies model we have now.
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There's an additional aspect to the Rule 5 draft which isn't recreated in OOTP: the draft-excluded player.
These are players added to the 40-man roster after Aug. 15th. Such players must be outrighted back to the minors no later than four days after the end of the World Series. If they are not, they are considered draft-excluded (since they are on the 40-man roster, they are not eligible to be selected in the Rule 5 draft). Such players can only be released; they cannot be sent back to the minors until early in spring training. Just like Rule 5 drafted players, they are guaranteed time in spring training before the club is allowed to consider sending them back to the minors.
The reason for this rule is to prevent gaming the Rule 5 system. Without such a rule, a club could add a player to the 40-man roster before the draft—thus keeping out of another team's hands—and then immediately outright him back to the minors after the Rule 5 draft is over. Draft-excluded status means the player has to be either retained by the club until into spring training or releasing him (which makes him a free agent able to sign with any other club).