I think the CLAIM system is the best way to alleviate WOOLY type fuckshit with the minors and also to force inattentive owners to pay attention to their minor league teams. If someone claims ur guy you still have recourse to keep them. I'd even be fine if it was just forcing you to put them on ur 40 man. If the player is on ur 40 man roster, then the HAVE NOT can only take them away if they give you a 3rd round pick? You can always put them on ur active roster to keep them.
For example, some HAVE NOT team could see 28 year old
PEDRO PEREZ who has 6 years of pro service, but is not on
@jdlikewhoa's 40 man roster. I could THREWN THE GAUNTLET at Perez and force JD to at least put him on the 40 man roster.
Or I could be like "Hey JD, move this 29 year old
Donald Anderson who is playing in A up to AAA or I'm taking him!" (he's odd because he only has 2 years of service time)
And just to show wat's good for the goose is good for the trogger, someone could THREWN GAUNTLET at me for
Jose Augiuano