The All-Star Break Demotion

Seeing the Brewers option Michael Blazek back to AAA Monday, the first day of the All-Star Break, made me curious about the strategy of sending a player down to the minors and maintaining a 24-man roster during that four day stretch. I've noticed a few teams doing this in the past, and I wondered if the move is common or not in the baseball business.

A little research shows me that, every year, more than a few teams take advantage of the opportunity to have just 24 players on their payroll without any competitive disadvantage for four days.  The financial savings for such a move, demoting a player on Monday and recalling a different player four days later on Friday, is not large (about $10,000) but it is not nothing.

Here is a look at teams that have spent the All-Star Break with only 24 players the last five seasons:

2016
Baltimore
Boston
Cubs
Milwaukee
Tampa Bay
White Sox

2015
Atlanta
Boston
Cleveland
Pittsburgh
Seattle
Texas

2014
Arizona
Atlanta
Cleveland
Dodgers
Houston
Pittsburgh
Yankees

2013
Miami
Milwaukee
Minnesota
St. Louis
White Sox

2012
Detroit
Houston
St. Louis
White Sox