[endgame]

My understanding is that any trade that occurs after the trade deadline becomes, in effect, a 'waiver trade', i.e. the players involved must clear waivers or have already cleared waivers.

Now on this part I'm a little fuzzy about game operations. I _think_the game resets players who have cleared waivers at a couple of points during the season, replicating to the best of its ability waiver periods. One of these, again I _think_ ends at the trading deadline. So regardless of status, option years, etc... players involved in these trades will need to clear waivers.

As to the ability of the commish to Force Trade after deadline, an onliner may be able to address this more quickly and with more confidence. If not, it shouldn't take much to create a test league and examine the attempt as commissioner.