It looks like this whole debate was rendered moot. The enthusiasm reset has not yet taken place for consolation tournament teams. Which means I saved the first 3 players for free. They are now on the transfer market, but I was able to drop them from the team this morning.
Unless this loophole is closed, election year managers could in theory use all of their roster spots to save players (for example, RIP could have added 18 players to the roster before the election results today. the NT enthusiasm reset does not occur until next weekend).
PS This is not a critism of RIP - I do not think anyone knew of this loophole until this morning. Plus I am not sure if this loophole is only available to teams entering the consolation tournament, or if the BBs just messed something up this season.
Run of the Mill Canadian Manager