So much for the all-encompassing trade deadline.
A full nine days after July 31, the Yankees announced a deal to acquire left-hander Joe Mantiply from the Reds for cash. This year was the first under a new rule where the July 31 deadline applied to all deals — not just non-waiver trades, as had been previously the case. Or so we thought.
It turns out that the Yankees took advantage of a loophole allowing minor leaguers to be traded after the deadline. Rule 9(b)(3):
“No Major League Uniform Player’s Contract (including for outrighted players) shall be traded to another Major League Club during the period commencing 4:00 p.