MLB 40-Man Roster Deadline Approaches

As MLB teams prepare for the upcoming offseason, critical decisions loom regarding player contracts and roster protections ahead of the Rule 5 Draft set for December 11. The Mariners, facing payroll constraints, recently waived Luis Urias and must decide on 12 players eligible for arbitration by the November 22 deadline, with significant focus on retaining talent like George Kirby and Cal Raleigh. Meanwhile, the Orioles added two players to their 40-man roster, protecting SP Brandon Young and RP Kade Strowd, while leaving several strong prospects vulnerable to the Rule 5 Draft, including SP Juan Nuñez, who had injury concerns. The 40-man roster deadline requires teams to protect eligible minor leaguers, and the Mariners specifically are at capacity, making it imperative they consider trades or designations for assignment to retain promising players. Overall, teams are balancing the need to protect their prospects while adhering to financial limitations and roster capacities as the offseason progresses.