Last offseason, I messed up and didn't get 2 of my upcoming Arb3 guys signed longterm during the resign free agent period.  I didn't realize at the time that I could still long-term these guys during the arbitration period.  The guys in question are www.whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/PlayerProfile.aspx and www.whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/PlayerProfile.aspx.

They both have 5.161 years of ML service time.  I was told to put them immediately in AAA before they could play any regular season games and that would keep them under the required ML service time to be granted free agency so they would revert back to arbitration once again next season where I could then long-term them.

I thought I could also play them in the playoffs as well without hurting the ML service time but I can't put them on the playoff roster without them being on the active ML roster.  Maybe I will be able to put them on the active ML roster after the regular season is over and then I can put them on the playoff roster? 

Is this all going to work?

For your second question, you're confusing two rosters. To be eligible for playoffs, they need to be on the 40-man roster but do not need to be on the active MLB roster.

I'm not 100% sure, but don't think there's a way to get an extra year of arb and believe they will be free agents after this season. Did they refuse to sign LT deals before you demoted them? Also, with their ratings I'd be surprised if they'd have signed after they had been arbed twice anyway. Was it one of your division rivals who suggested you demote them immediately to AAA?

Yes they refused to sign long-term deals.  I have never heard of anyone not signing a long-term deal after being arbed twice.  Nah, not a division rival, was going to win the division no matter where these 2 guys were. The playoffs are a different story however and I get this message when I try to place them on the playoff roster. 


"Odalis Hernandez is not on the big league roster. He must be an active member of the big league team in order to be added to the playoff roster."

They have to be on the BL roster to be added to the playoff roster.  Wait until the regular season ends and promote them.   Doesn't count against their service time.

So in the same mold, I could bring up a prospect and put him on the playoff roster and that wouldn't mess with service time? possible demotion penalty when you send him back down I guess though. 

So the arb/free agency thing is going to work out?