Does the no-cost drop after first seasons series still exist

We can agree to disagree. Beat the clock does not apply in this situation. This is not a timed event. Its not a 2:00 min drill in the 4th quarter.

Managers typically have a few days to finalize their teams and get ready for opening day. Does it take 2 days to do that no, but it gives people who have other obligations, family, work, etc time to fit it in. If people need to make tweaks or adjustments before rosters close, no problem. If they are intentionally holding moves to prevent others from adjusting, just my opinion but again not a fan. People are busy and can't always sit in front of their computer 5 mins before rosters close to see if anyone is using a quirk in the system to gain an advantage. Honestly, I don't see it very often so I don't think its something that needs to be addressed. I just rather see everyone have a fair chance to adjust their team to their league and division before the season starts.

everybody DOES have the same chance....there's usually 2-3 days of waivers/free agency....there's a risk to "holding" any prospective moves desired, as any other team could pick up the player(s) one team is planning to, if they don't do it soon enough

there is definitely no "quirk" in the system IMHO....it's the same in almost every other type of sport, even fantasy sports....a team could make moves right before the season opening, etc....but that is their right, just like every other team

any team making moves before the scheduled deadline is doing nothing wrong or against any rules, if it was, SOM would likely reprimand or ban that GM

yes, we can agree to disagree.....but seems this is just one aspect of strategy (like I've seen one GM almost always wait until a league is almost full before joining) that is within the rules, but some people seemingly don't like it....there is probably no way to prevent what is happening, because any move before the deadline is permitted....it seems people (you're not alone I know,I probably am not either) seemingly wish there were multiple deadlines before season starts

the stated and SOM deadline....and any other deadline that would be "the acceptable time in advance to make any roster moves so as only to allow other teams to make moves afterwards"

so, I'll ask the previously unanswered question again...."if original GM makes his moves early enough to allow all other GMS to make any subsequent adjustments to their team, does the original GM get to counter those other team's adjustments also ?....and then does that become a never-ending story ?.....again, which team(s) get the privilege of acting last ?

I don't think its a problem that needs a solution. I have not witnessed this infinite do-loop of moves and counter moves you are describing.

I've never said it was against the rules. My opinion is that the spirit of having multiple days before the season starts is to let everyone adjust their teams to their competition. Intentional last-minute drops or large-scale roster changes go against that spirit; that's just my personal viewpoint.

I have seen a few managers who routinely do the last minute drops. I presume it is to limit the opportunity for other teams to acquire those players without incurring a penalty. It does not bother me that they do it as they run a risk of waiting late and possibly having internet or strat connection issues occur that prevent the changes before the cut-off and then they would be left having to make changes with the penalty.