Fansided

Each MLB team’s expected call-ups for roster expansion

By Kyle Franzoni

May 11, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Archie Bradley against the Washington Nationals at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Archie Bradley against the Washington Nationals at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct. 10, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Corey Seager plays for the Glendale Desert Dogs against the Scottsdale Scorpions during an Arizona Fall League game at Cubs Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct. 10, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Corey Seager plays for the Glendale Desert Dogs against the Scottsdale Scorpions during an Arizona Fall League game at Cubs Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Major League rosters will expand to a maximum of 40 players on September 1st, giving each team the ability to add some much needed depth.

The Major League Baseball regular season is slowly riding off into the sunset, with the pack separating into two clear packs; those vying for a playoff spot and those looking ahead to next season. For each group, September brings with it a different challenge and as such, each will approach handling the September roster expansions differently.

For those with playoff aspirations, the expansion from a 25-man roster to a 40-man roster means adding depth to a tired bullpen or bench. This will allow teams to rest important pieces for what will hopefully be a grueling postseason run. Arms have mileage on them from a 162-game regular season and legs are undoubtedly ready for some extra days off as can be afforded during the push for the playoffs. These teams will likely look at pitchers or players that could potentially step in to help the active roster in the postseason should an injury rear its ugly head or simply to provide an upgrade.

That said, potential playoff teams will be paying extra attention to those players already on the 40-man roster. Any player not on the 40-man roster prior to midnight on August 31st will not be eligible for postseason play and as such lend little to no value to a team in the thick of the stretch run.

On the other hand, those who have already started booking tee times for the winter will be looking at September in a different light. These teams obviously want to look at some other options that could potentially challenge for a role next season and will help to determine the course of the team’s winter. These squads will look at prospects who are ready to make the next step or could do so at some point the following year. It will also help to showcase some of their lesser known prospects for potential trade partners during the winter. They’ll think of it as an early start to spring evaluations.

Of course, that also comes with the caveat of potentially having to add some of those players to the 40-man roster. That means clearing room on the roster, which may require exposing some players to waivers. However, given that some veteran role players may be on one-year deals, making roster room isn’t necessarily a deterrent to calling up a prospect in September.

So with September call-ups expected to be announced in the next few days, what directions will teams take and who might see some Major League playing time in the season’s final month?

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