AFL Update: Oct. 31, 2024
The Rafters blew a 5-0 lead but walked off the Javelinas in the 9th to win their third straight, 6-5.
Two Nationals appeared in the game:
● Chase Solesky got the start and tossed three scoreless innings, allowing one hit and no walks while striking out five. He threw 42 pitches, 27 for srtikes.
● Robert Hassell homered with nobody on and two out in the 4th and struck out twice on a 1-for-5 afternoon at the plate as the Salt River leadoff hitter. In the field, he played center and had three putouts.
Salt River (11-8) travels to Mesa (11-8) this afternoon to battle for third-place supremacy in the AFL.
Despite Hassell’s struggles over the last week, it’s good to see that the power is still coming along. He has 9 extra-base hits in 15 AZ games. Fingers crossed that he’s figuring out some things.
Key offseason dates for roster construction (or destruction):
October 31: Free agency begins
November 4: First day free agents can sign
Nov.4-7: GM Meetings
Nov. 19: Date players must decide to accept or reject a qualifying offer; also the date to add players to the 40 man roster or subject them to the Rule 5 draft
Nov. 22: Non-tender deadline
Dec. 8-11: Winter Meetings
Dec. 10: 2025 MLB draft lottery
Dec. 11: Rule 5 draft
Dec. 15: last day to sign 2024 international amateurs
Jan. 9: Deadline to exchange arbitration figures
Jan 15: Start of the signing period for 2025 international amateurs
Jan 27- Feb 14: Arbitration hearings
Feb. 12: Voluntary reporting date for Spring Training
Feb. 20: Exhibition games begin
March 18-19: Dodgers v. Cubs open the 2025 MLB season in Toyko
March 27: Opening Day in the U.S.
When are the qualifying offers due?
Five days after the end of the WS. November 4.
Hassell and Lara will be locks to be added to the 40-man. I’m not sure who else of note in on the clock this year.
Sometimes teams make interesting DFA decisions at the time of having to add before Rule 5. You have to wonder how long the Nats will keep someone like Cole Henry on the 40-man.
And I say this as someone who once thought that Henry was a better all-around pitcher than Cavalli. Just hard to keep holding out hope unless there’s been some significant medical improvement.