MLB Contenders Bolster Expanded Rosters For 2022 Stretch Drive

With the baseball playoffs expanded to an even dozen next month, contenders in both leagues are banking on players promoted or acquired before the September 1 deadline.

Rosters remained at 26 players until this date, when they expanded to 28. So teams had to pick and choose carefully, culling the contributions of their top prospects as well as veterans designated for assignment by other clubs.

The Baltimore Orioles, for example, already got a big boost from their best prospect.

Gunnar Henderson, 21, homered and singled in his major-league debut Aug. 31.

“He’s the top prospect in baseball for a reason,” said Oriole manager Brandon Hyde of Henderson, whose hits helped Baltimore beat Cleveland, 4-0. “He’s got a huge upside.”

A versatile infielder who had 19 home runs and 76 runs batted in during a 112-game stint for two minor-league clubs, Henderson was promoted from Triple-A Norfolk in time to qualify for postseason play – if the team gets there.

The Orioles trail the Toronto Blue Jays by two-and-a-half games for the American League’s final wild-card spot. In fact, the O in their nickname could stand for Optimistic; the club signed erstwhile slugger Jesus Aguilar to a minor-league contract hours after he was released by the cost-cutting Miami Marlins.

If he regains his power stroke in Triple-A, Baltimore will bring him back to the majors for the team’s unexpected stretch drive.

Prior to 2020, active rosters routinely expanded to 40, allowing teams to promote platoons of promising players. Not anymore.

There were some familiar names in the transactions column over the last few days.

Three pitchers with major-league experience inked minor-league contracts that would allow for their recall anytime this month.

Keone Kela, once a premier closer with the Pittsburgh Pirates, signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Fellow pitcher Brad Peacock joined the Minnesota Twins. And left-handed starter Matthew Boyd, who spent seven seasons in Detroit, signed to boost the rotation of the Seattle Mariners – seeking their first playoff spot since 2001.

The Chicago White Sox, five games out in the American League Central title chase, also added pitching – Matt Foster – and called up center-fielder Adam Haseley.

Catchers were on the move too, with the Toronto Blue Jays adding Edward Duran and Karl Ellison, both via minor-league deals with National League clubs.

At the same time, the San Francisco Giants bolstered their backstop corps by promoting Andrew Knapp, formerly with the Philadelphia Phillies, from Triple-A Sacramento.

Two former All-Stars who could make an impact this month also started rehab assignments. Second baseman Ozzie Albies, who had a 30-homer, 100-rbi season for Atlanta last year, went to Triple-A Gwinnett with an eye on a mid-month return. And front-line starter Jack Flaherty, once a post-season hero for the St. Louis Cardinals, reported to the Springfield Cardinals. Southpaw Danny Duffy also began a rehab assignment, with the Oklahoma City Dodgers.

All can be recalled whenever they’re ready. So can Atlanta starter Mike Soroka, runner-up to National League Rookie of the Year Pete Alonso in 2019 but limited to three games since by two Achilles tears. He turned 25 in August.

Despite all the maneuvering by contending clubs, no one signed former slugger Michael Conforto. A 29-year-old left-handed hitter who had spent seven years with the New York Mets, he has been recovering from shoulder surgery. But he’s represented by Scott Boras, an agent known as a tough negotiator.

By the time the season ends Oct. 5, the impact of the latest roster moves will be more obvious. But in a game where four of the six division races remain hotly contested, contributions by new arrivals could determine the outcome.

Also to be determined is who gets the pot of gold at the end of the baseball rainbow. Full shares for the World Champion Atlanta Braves were $397,391 last season, while the runner-up Houston Astros and others who lasted deep into October received lesser amounts based on their post-season success.