Redrafting the MLB Playoffs

Redrafting the MLB Playoffs

While MLB slumbers, the winter leagues in Central and South America are heating up. In the Dominican Professional Baseball League, for example, the regular season concludes on December 23 with the postseason scheduled for January. One of the most intriguing wrinkles of winter league baseball is redrafting for the playoffs. The teams that make it in are able to draft players off the rosters of eliminated clubs.

If MLB had this rule, Mike Trout would participate in the playoffs every year (as opposed to real life, in which he hasn’t played in October since 2014). Winter leagues just have one-year player contracts, so after the regular season ends for teams out of contention, they have no hold over their players. Obviously, that’s not the case in MLB. Could you imagine if the Braves drafted Max Scherzer for the playoffs, made him throw 150 pitches on three days rest, turned his shoulder into pudding, and then sent him back to the Nationals?

No, redrafting could never work in MLB… but it makes for a fun thought experiment! We’ll transport ourselves back in time to the end of September and conduct a two-round draft. Each of the 16 playoff teams can select any player they want from the rosters of the 14 non-playoff teams. The Dodgers are on the clock!

Round One

• Dodgers select Jacob deGrom, Mets starting pitcher.You thought it would be Trout, didn’t you? As tempting as he may be, deGrom makes more sense for the Dodgers’ roster. He would have taken the ball in Game One of the Wild Card Series instead of Walker Buehler.

Dodgers select Jacob deGrom, Mets starting pitcher.You thought it would be Trout, didn’t you? As tempting as he may be, deGrom makes more sense for the Dodgers’ roster. He would have taken the ball in Game One of the Wild Card Series instead of Walker Buehler.

• Rays select Mike Trout, Angels center fielder.The best player in baseball doesn’t fall far. Austin Meadows was injured, forcing Tampa Bay to start Hunter Renfroe in the playoffs after hitting .156 during the regular season. Also… it’s Mike Freaking Trout. Any team would gladly make roster space for a living legend.

Rays select Mike Trout, Angels center fielder.The best player in baseball doesn’t fall far. Austin Meadows was injured, forcing Tampa Bay to start Hunter Renfroe in the playoffs after hitting .156 during the regular season. Also… it’s Mike Freaking Trout. Any team would gladly make roster space for a living legend.

• Athletics select Anthony Rendon, Angels third baseman.With Matt Chapman injured, Rendon fits like a hand in a glove.

Athletics select Anthony Rendon, Angels third baseman.With Matt Chapman injured, Rendon fits like a hand in a glove.

• Braves select Juan Soto, Nationals outfielder.His season started late due to a COVID-19 positive test, but Soto was the unquestioned best hitter in baseball when he was on the field. He slots in next to Ronald Acuña, Jr. in the outfield, taking the place of light-hitting rookie Cristian Pache.

Braves select Juan Soto, Nationals outfielder.His season started late due to a COVID-19 positive test, but Soto was the unquestioned best hitter in baseball when he was on the field. He slots in next to Ronald Acuña, Jr. in the outfield, taking the place of light-hitting rookie Cristian Pache.

• Twins select J.T. Realmuto, Phillies catcher.After belting 31 home runs in 93 games a year ago, Mitch Garver regressed hard in 2020. Minnesota’s catcher production was among the worst in baseball.

Twins select J.T. Realmuto, Phillies catcher.After belting 31 home runs in 93 games a year ago, Mitch Garver regressed hard in 2020. Minnesota’s catcher production was among the worst in baseball.

• Cubs select Trea Turner, Nationals shortstop.Inexplicably, Javier Báez produced an anemic .599 OPS this season, while Turner led MLB in hits. Báez’s versatility lets the Cubs play matchups while Turner starts every day.

Cubs select Trea Turner, Nationals shortstop.Inexplicably, Javier Báez produced an anemic .599 OPS this season, while Turner led MLB in hits. Báez’s versatility lets the Cubs play matchups while Turner starts every day.

• Padres select Max Scherzer, Nationals starting pitcher.Even in a down year, Scherzer was among the best pitchers in the game. The Padres had two injured starters going into the playoffs: Dinelson Lamet and Mike Clevinger.

Padres select Max Scherzer, Nationals starting pitcher.Even in a down year, Scherzer was among the best pitchers in the game. The Padres had two injured starters going into the playoffs: Dinelson Lamet and Mike Clevinger.

• Indians select Salvador Pérez, Royals catcher.Batting average isn’t everything, but 12 of the 20 position players who batted for Cleveland this year hit below .200, and the team batted .228 as a whole. Pérez hit .333 and won the Silver Slugger, whereas Cleveland’s four catchers combined to go 27-196 (.138).

Indians select Salvador Pérez, Royals catcher.Batting average isn’t everything, but 12 of the 20 position players who batted for Cleveland this year hit below .200, and the team batted .228 as a whole. Pérez hit .333 and won the Silver Slugger, whereas Cleveland’s four catchers combined to go 27-196 (.138).

• Yankees select Aaron Nola, Phillies starting pitcher.The Yankees lacked reliable starting pitching behind Gerrit Cole. Nola slots in as the number two starter in front of Masahiro Tanaka.

Yankees select Aaron Nola, Phillies starting pitcher.The Yankees lacked reliable starting pitching behind Gerrit Cole. Nola slots in as the number two starter in front of Masahiro Tanaka.

• Cardinals select Mike Yastrzemski, Giants outfielder.Yastrzemski looked like an MVP for much of the season, slashing .297/.400/.568. St. Louis finished second-last in the NL in runs scored.

Cardinals select Mike Yastrzemski, Giants outfielder.Yastrzemski looked like an MVP for much of the season, slashing .297/.400/.568. St. Louis finished second-last in the NL in runs scored.

• Marlins select Michael Conforto, Mets outfielder.Acquiring Starling Marte at the trade deadline didn’t boost the outfield production in Miami. Conforto immediately becomes their best player at any position.

Marlins select Michael Conforto, Mets outfielder.Acquiring Starling Marte at the trade deadline didn’t boost the outfield production in Miami. Conforto immediately becomes their best player at any position.

• Astros select Brandon Belt, Giants first baseman.Belt had a career year with an incredible 1.015 OPS. Several Astros hitters struggled in the regular season, but it’s hard to remove big names like José Altuve and Carlos Correa from the lineup. Yuli Gurriel is much more fungible.

Astros select Brandon Belt, Giants first baseman.Belt had a career year with an incredible 1.015 OPS. Several Astros hitters struggled in the regular season, but it’s hard to remove big names like José Altuve and Carlos Correa from the lineup. Yuli Gurriel is much more fungible.

• White Sox select Bryce Harper, Phillies right fielder.The Nomar Mazara experiment was a failure and Luis Robert slumped in September, hitting a paltry .136. Harper restores some thump to the outfield.

White Sox select Bryce Harper, Phillies right fielder.The Nomar Mazara experiment was a failure and Luis Robert slumped in September, hitting a paltry .136. Harper restores some thump to the outfield.

• Reds select Trevor Story, Rockies shortstop.In 22 postseason innings, Cincinnati pulled a Blutarski, scoring zero runs. Story is a massive improvement over Freddy Galvis and converted catcher Kyle Farmer at shortstop.

Reds select Trevor Story, Rockies shortstop.In 22 postseason innings, Cincinnati pulled a Blutarski, scoring zero runs. Story is a massive improvement over Freddy Galvis and converted catcher Kyle Farmer at shortstop.

• Blue Jays select German Márquez, Rockies starting pitcher.Toronto started the erratic Robbie Ray in their first playoff game. Márquez gives them a more formidable front three with Hyun Jin Ryu and Taijuan Walker.

Blue Jays select German Márquez, Rockies starting pitcher.Toronto started the erratic Robbie Ray in their first playoff game. Márquez gives them a more formidable front three with Hyun Jin Ryu and Taijuan Walker.

• Brewers select Ke’Bryan Hayes, Pirates third baseman.The rookie sensation, who batted .376 with five dingers in 95 plate appearances, fills Milwaukee’s biggest lineup hole.

Brewers select Ke’Bryan Hayes, Pirates third baseman.The rookie sensation, who batted .376 with five dingers in 95 plate appearances, fills Milwaukee’s biggest lineup hole.

Round Two

• Dodgers select Edwin Díaz, Mets relief pitcher.Los Angeles doubles up on Mets hurlers. Díaz was one of baseball’s elite relievers this season and gives manager Dave Roberts the opportunity to move shaky closer Kenley Jansen to lighter duty.

Dodgers select Edwin Díaz, Mets relief pitcher.Los Angeles doubles up on Mets hurlers. Díaz was one of baseball’s elite relievers this season and gives manager Dave Roberts the opportunity to move shaky closer Kenley Jansen to lighter duty.

• Rays select Zack Wheeler, Phillies starting pitcher.Tampa Bay’s bullpen was fire, but their rotation could use some reinforcement. Wheeler gives them even more flexibility to mix and match their arms as they love to do in the playoffs.

Rays select Zack Wheeler, Phillies starting pitcher.Tampa Bay’s bullpen was fire, but their rotation could use some reinforcement. Wheeler gives them even more flexibility to mix and match their arms as they love to do in the playoffs.

• Athletics select Dylan Bundy, Angels starting pitcher.Believe it or not, Bundy becomes their number one starter.

Athletics select Dylan Bundy, Angels starting pitcher.Believe it or not, Bundy becomes their number one starter.

• Braves select Zac Gallen, Diamondbacks starting pitcher.Atlanta’s top two starters— Ian Anderson and Max Fried— were outstanding in the regular season, but future ace Gallen is a big step up from Kyle Wright and Josh Tomlin.

Braves select Zac Gallen, Diamondbacks starting pitcher.Atlanta’s top two starters— Ian Anderson and Max Fried— were outstanding in the regular season, but future ace Gallen is a big step up from Kyle Wright and Josh Tomlin.

• Twins select Mike Mayers, Angels relief pitcher.Mayers was among the top relief arms in MLB this year, allowing 28 baserunners and striking out 43 in 30 innings. He’s the best available option to shorten games for Minnesota.

Twins select Mike Mayers, Angels relief pitcher.Mayers was among the top relief arms in MLB this year, allowing 28 baserunners and striking out 43 in 30 innings. He’s the best available option to shorten games for Minnesota.

• Cubs select Marco Gonzales, Mariners starting pitcher.Gonzales led the majors with a 9.14 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He slides into the rotation behind Yu Darvish and Kyle Hendricks.

Cubs select Marco Gonzales, Mariners starting pitcher.Gonzales led the majors with a 9.14 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He slides into the rotation behind Yu Darvish and Kyle Hendricks.

• Padres select Richard Rodríguez, Pirates relief pitcher.The run on arms continues as Rodríguez bolsters a questionable San Diego bullpen.

Padres select Richard Rodríguez, Pirates relief pitcher.The run on arms continues as Rodríguez bolsters a questionable San Diego bullpen.

• Indians select Brandon Nimmo, Mets outfielder.The on-base percentages of Cleveland’s starting outfielders were .248, .320., and .304; Nimmo’s was .404.

Indians select Brandon Nimmo, Mets outfielder.The on-base percentages of Cleveland’s starting outfielders were .248, .320., and .304; Nimmo’s was .404.

• Yankees select Christian Vázquez, Red Sox catcher.It was a nightmare season for Gary Sánchez, and backup/replacement Kyle Higashioka wasn’t much better. Side bonus— putting Vázquez in pinstripes is A+ trolling of the Red Sox.

Yankees select Christian Vázquez, Red Sox catcher.It was a nightmare season for Gary Sánchez, and backup/replacement Kyle Higashioka wasn’t much better. Side bonus— putting Vázquez in pinstripes is A+ trolling of the Red Sox.

• Cardinals select David Fletcher, Angels infielder.The best contact hitter in the game could replace either Kolten Wong at second base or Paul DeJong at shortstop depending on each day’s matchup.

Cardinals select David Fletcher, Angels infielder.The best contact hitter in the game could replace either Kolten Wong at second base or Paul DeJong at shortstop depending on each day’s matchup.

• Marlins select Kevin Gausman, Giants starting pitcher.Miami employs a handful of exciting young starters, but they lack experience and don’t strike out many batters. Gausman compiled a career-best 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings.

Marlins select Kevin Gausman, Giants starting pitcher.Miami employs a handful of exciting young starters, but they lack experience and don’t strike out many batters. Gausman compiled a career-best 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings.

• Astros select Patrick Corbin, Nationals starting pitcher.Corbin didn’t have a great season, leading MLB with 85 hits allowed with a declining strikeout rate. Still, the Astros could get creative with how they deploy him to maximize his top-notch slider.

Astros select Patrick Corbin, Nationals starting pitcher.Corbin didn’t have a great season, leading MLB with 85 hits allowed with a declining strikeout rate. Still, the Astros could get creative with how they deploy him to maximize his top-notch slider.

• White Sox select Lance Lynn, Rangers starting pitcher.Lynn is a better pitching option than rookie Dane Dunning, who lasted just ⅔ of an inning in Wild Card Series Game Three. Clearly, the White Sox agree— they traded Dunning for Lynn earlier this month.

White Sox select Lance Lynn, Rangers starting pitcher.Lynn is a better pitching option than rookie Dane Dunning, who lasted just ⅔ of an inning in Wild Card Series Game Three. Clearly, the White Sox agree— they traded Dunning for Lynn earlier this month.

• Reds select Dominic Smith, Mets first baseman/left fielder.Did we mention that the Reds failed to score a single run in the playoffs? Smith probably DH’s, moving Jesse Winker into the outfield.

Reds select Dominic Smith, Mets first baseman/left fielder.Did we mention that the Reds failed to score a single run in the playoffs? Smith probably DH’s, moving Jesse Winker into the outfield.

• Blue Jays select Zach Eflin, Phillies starting pitcher.Eflin is more of a luxury for Toronto after they picked up Márquez in the first round. He could either start games or pitch multiple innings out of the bullpen.

Blue Jays select Zach Eflin, Phillies starting pitcher.Eflin is more of a luxury for Toronto after they picked up Márquez in the first round. He could either start games or pitch multiple innings out of the bullpen.

• Brewers select Kyle Lewis, Mariners center fielder.The AL Rookie of the Year surely would be more impactful in the lineup than Ben Gamel.

Brewers select Kyle Lewis, Mariners center fielder.The AL Rookie of the Year surely would be more impactful in the lineup than Ben Gamel.