MLB Waiver Wire 2015: Perfect Move for Every Team in the Playoff Picture
As the August 31 waiver trade deadline fast approaches, it will force some movement of talent in the MLB in the coming week.
Contenders are looking to improve their playoff-bound rosters, while other clubs simply want to unload contracts of players they don't feel are key pieces of the future.
It's a two-way street, and teams that hope to compete deep into October desperately want to snag those one or two players who could spell the difference between a first-round exit and a World Series title.
We're going to examine the moves some playoff contenders should make—or whether they're better off standing pat.
Since there have been some trades already in the month following the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, we'll make those clear before diving into any other possible moves.
Those will also factor into whether or not a team still needs to address its roster before the waiver deadline.
Either way, the rich will get richer by the end of the month.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Stay Put
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Major Moves Already Made: Acquired 3B Aramis Ramirez, RP Joakim Soria, RP Joe Blanton, SP J.A. Happ, 1B Michael Morse; signed OF Travis Snider
Moves They Should Make: None
The Pirates, who are four games up in the wild-card race, made some key moves in July before the non-waiver deadline that addressed a lot of their roster needs heading into the postseason.
With Josh Harrison on the disabled list, they traded for third baseman Aramis Ramirez to fill the hole at the hot corner. In the month of August, Ramirez has been one of Pittsburgh's hottest hitters, batting .340 with 13 RBI in the cleanup spot.
The Pirates also addressed their bullpen and rotational needs.
They acquired relievers Joakim Soria and Joe Blanton to shore up a backloaded bullpen and then traded for J.A. Happ to take A.J. Burnett's spot in the rotation; Burnett sits on the DL with elbow inflammation.
The only position left to address would have been in the outfield—the Pirates had no depth outside of Starling Marte, Gregory Polanco and Andrew McCutchen.
But some recent news makes any trade unnecessary.
On Wednesday, the Pirates signed outfielder Travis Snider to a minor league deal. Then on Friday, they activated Harrison from the DL, according to Stephen Nesbitt of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Both are expected to split time in the outfield or, in Harrison's case, at third.
The Pirates are smartly staying ahead of the game and addressing any of their needs as they come. Their roster should be set for the playoffs.
Chicago Cubs: Veteran Bat
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Major Moves Already Made: Acquired SP Dan Haren, RP Tommy Hunter
Moves They Should Make: Trade for a veteran bat in exchange for SS Starlin Castro
The Cubs, behind the brain trust of Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer, chose not to make a big splash at the July 31 trade deadline.
Now with Chase Utley off the market, Chicago will be forced to make another big decision: Roll with an inexperienced lineup into the postseason or deal for a veteran bat.
The Cubs remain four games ahead of the Giants for the second wild-card spot despite their large dependence on a young roster.
Consider that their best offensive player is just 26 years old (Anthony Rizzo) while three of their other key cogs are 23 or younger (Kris Bryant, Addison Russell and Kyle Schwarber), and older, veteran player could be the missing piece in a deep postseason run for Chicago.
Outfielder Jeff Francoeur has been hot lately as he splits time in Philadelphia—he's hitting .390 with six home runs in 21 games since the All-Star break.
There's Marlins utility-man Martin Prado, who can play both outfield and infield. With Starlin Castro struggling to find playing time, Prado would be a nice fit at second base for Chicago.
Although Hoyer says no moves are imminent, the Cubs will have to realistically address a young lineup before October.
San Francisco Giants: Stay Put
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Major Moves Already Made: Acquired OF Marlon Byrd, SP Mike Leake
Moves They Should Make: None
The Giants got the player they needed in Marlon Byrd.
After trading for the former Reds outfielder on Thursday, the reigning World Series champs can slot him into their starting lineup right away.
Injuries to Hunter Pence, Nori Aoki and Angel Pagan pushed San Francisco to deal for another outfielder as it tries to reach the postseason.
The Giants placed Pence on the disabled list Thursday. Aoki just came off it, and Pagan has been there since August 11.
Byrd fills an immediate need for a team that is four games back of the second National League wild card and 2.5 away from the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers.
The only other issue the Giants needed to address was their starting rotation—acquiring Mike Leake in July satisfied that.
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New York Mets: RP Edward Mujica
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Major Moves Already Made: Acquired OF Yoenis Cespedes, RP Eric O'Flaherty, RP Tyler Clippard, 3B Juan Uribe, OF Kelly Johnson
Moves They Should Make: Trade for RP Edward Mujica
Although Mets fans may have gotten their hopes up when Jose Reyes went on the trading block last month, New York has more pressing needs.
Its bullpen is a mess—even after trading for Tyler Clippard.
Overall, the numbers don't scream panic—their 3.14 pen ERA ranks sixth in the MLB—but outside of Clippard and closer Jeurys Familia, there's not much to get excited about.
Reliever Bobby Parnell, in addition to struggling mightily this season, was placed on the disabled list earlier this week, joining fellow relievers Jerry Blevins, Rafael Montero, Buddy Carlyle and Erik Goeddel.
Then there's Jenrry Mejia, who was suspended 162 games in July for a second failed drug test.
When the dust settles, the Mets still have question marks in their bullpen.
Adding a veteran reliever like Edward Mujica can solidify a unit that is clearly the team's worst.
He has had a rough 2015—between the Red Sox and Athletics he has a 5.64 ERA in 36 innings—but a change of scenery can do a pitcher wonders, especially if it means coming back to the National League where he was once dominant with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Mujica's contract is up after this season, so the former closer could be a nice rental the rest of the way.
New York did acquire one reliever so far, Eric O'Flaherty, yet he has a 13.50 ERA in five appearances as a Met so far.
That just won't cut it once October baseball comes along.
Los Angeles Dodgers: RP Francisco Rodriguez
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Major Moves Already Made: Acquired 2B Chase Utley, SP Mat Latos, SP Alex Wood, RP Luis Avilan, RP Jim Johnson, 2B Jose Peraza
Moves They Should Make: Trade for RP Francisco Rodriguez
The Dodgers have been busy, and even after snagging Chase Utley earlier this week, they may not be done.
Just 2.5 games ahead in the National League West, Los Angeles won't stay there if it doesn't make one more move this month.
The Dodgers addressed their starting rotational woes by trading for Mat Latos and Alex Wood at the non-waiver deadline in addition to adding some depth in the bullpen.
Yet, relievers Jim Johnson and Luis Avilan have been terrible since becoming Dodgers. They have a 21.00 and 7.20 ERA, respectively, in the month of August.
But the problems in Los Angeles existed before the two pitchers got there.
Since June 1, the Dodgers' bullpen has a collective ERA of 5.35. The only bright spot has been closer Kenley Jansen.
Adding Francisco Rodriguez to be Jansen's setup man in the eighth inning could shore up the inconsistencies.
K-Rod has a 2.09 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 51 strikeouts in 43.2 innings so far with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Also, although he's a closer by trade, Rodriguez was pretty lights-out as a setup man in the past.
St. Louis Cardinals: Stay Put
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Major Moves Already Made: Acquired RP Jonathan Broxton, 1B Brandon Moss, RP Steve Cishek
Moves They Should Make: None
Don't fix something that's not broke—it's the oldest trick in the book.
The Cardinals didn't listen, though.
Despite having the majors' best bullpen, they went out and got relievers Jonathan Broxton and Steve Cishek last month. If anything, the moves proved beneficial—Broxton and Cishek have a 1.42 and 0.96 ERA, respectively, in 15.2 combined innings in St. Louis—but unnecessary.
They added Brandon Moss as well—a move that made sense. Injuries to Matt Adams, Matt Holliday and Jon Jay created holes in the lineup.
But as it stands, the Cardinals don't need to make any more trades before the playoffs.
In addition to owning the best record in baseball, St. Louis has the league's best rotation and best bullpen heading into September. Couple that with timely hitting and great fielding and you're looking at a team that is poised to go deep in the postseason.
Los Angeles Angels: RF Carlos Gonzalez
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Major Moves Already Made: Acquired OF David DeJesus, OF Shane Victorino, OF David Murphy, 3B Conor Gillaspie
Moves They Should Make: OF Carlos Gonzalez
Carlos Gonzalez is on a tear. Since the All-Star break, the Rockies outfielder has a 1.116 OPS with 15 homers and 34 RBI.
That's exactly the type of bat Los Angeles could use right about now.
Despite Mike Trout and Albert Pujols having good years, the Angels offense has relied too heavily on its two stars throughout the season.
In the season's second half, the Halos rank 25th in the entire league in runs scored and have quickly fallen in the postseason standings.
They sit 2.5 games behind the Houston Astros in the American League West and are barely holding onto a wild-card berth.
CarGo could provide a middle-of-the-order bat that would give the Angels insurance behind Trout and Pujols.
The move would also give L.A. an immediate answer in the outfield after poor production from its three other deadline acquisitions: David Murphy, Shane Victorino and David DeJesus.
Texas Rangers: Stay Put
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Major Moves Already Made: Acquired OF Will Venable, 1B Mike Napoli, SP Cole Hamels, RP Jake Diekman, OF Josh Hamilton, RP Sam Dyson
Moves They Should Make: None
After acquiring outfielder Will Venable from the Padres on Thursday, the Rangers are most likely done making moves until the offseason.
Venable will provide some much-needed outfield depth for Texas—which is just 1.5 games out of the second wild-card spot—with Josh Hamilton and Leonys Martin sidelined with injuries.
The Rangers acquired Mike Napoli earlier this month as a right-handed bat to complement Prince Fielder and Mitch Moreland at designated hitter or first base.
And before all that, Texas traded for pitchers Cole Hamels and Jake Diekman from Philadelphia at July's trade deadline.
Hamels, although currently struggling, slots in as the team's best pitcher heading into the season's final month, while Diekman is a solid lefty arm in the bullpen.
The Rangers have been hot lately, and their roster as it stands has enough talent to make a postseason push.
Baltimore Orioles: SP James Shields
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Major Moves Already Made: Acquired OF Gerardo Parra
Moves They Should Make: Trade for SP James Shields
Baltimore has been fairly quiet on the rumor mill since acquiring Gerardo Parra in July, so it's about time it made some noise.
James Shields would instantly become the ace in an Orioles rotation that has three starters with ERAs worse than 4.40 (Miguel Gonzalez, Chris Tillman and Kevin Gausman) and another at 3.97 (Ubaldo Jimenez).
The biggest hurdle for the O's in last season's playoffs was their starting pitching, and it looks to be the same story in 2015.
Wei-Yin Chen, with a 3.20 ERA, has been the lone bright spot among Baltimore's starters, but even he can't carry this team through the postseason.
Shields would bring his big-game attitude to a rotation that is badly in need of such a performance.
His 3.74 ERA in 26 starts with San Diego this season isn't much, but it's a lot better than anything else the Orioles will offer in October.
Baltimore is currently a half-game back of the Angels for the second wild card.
The only downside of signing Shields, though, is his $65 million price tag through 2018 following this season.
Toronto Blue Jays: Stay Put
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Major Moves Already Made: Acquired SP David Price, OF Ben Revere, SS Troy Tulowitzki, SS Cliff Pennington, RP LaTroy Hawkins, RP Mark Lowe
Moves They Should Make: None
The Blue Jays, like the Rangers, have presumably already addressed everything they needed to.
The team went on a trade splurge before the July 31 deadline, acquiring ace David Price, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, outfielder Ben Revere and relievers LaTroy Hawkins and Mark Lowe.
Earlier this month, Toronto got middle infielder Cliff Pennington as well.
The only area of need for the Blue Jays is at starting pitcher—outside of Price, it's not pretty.
However, their philosophy this whole season has been to score runs and win ballgames that way.
It's been working so far—their 634 runs scored in 2015 are the most by far in MLB—as they sit comfortably ahead in the first American League wild-card spot.
Houston Astros: Stay Put
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Major Moves Already Made: Acquired OF Carlos Gomez, RP Oliver Perez, SP Mike Fiers, SP Scott Kazmir
Moves They Should Make: None
The Astros look to be all set after acquiring lefty reliever Oliver Perez from the Diamondbacks earlier this month.
Perez gives Houston a bullpen arm that will come in especially useful in the postseason. His 3.10 ERA in 48 appearances was highlighted by a 19-game scoreless streak in Arizona.
You all know about the Carlos Gomez trade in July too. The outfielder gives Houston a much-needed bat and a veteran presence in a lineup that is desperate for both heading into the season's final month.
When you throw in a couple of top-caliber pitchers in Scott Kazmir and Mike Fiers—whom the Astros also acquired in July—Houston looks to be in a comfortable position.
The American League West first-place club now has depth at almost every position with its in-season additions.
New York Yankees: SS Jose Reyes
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Major Moves Already Made: Acquired OF Dustin Ackley
Moves They Should Make: Trade for SS Jose Reyes
The Yankees need a second baseman before the postseason, and that guy doesn't look to be on the roster right now.
Jose Reyes, although a natural shortstop, could give New York exactly what it needs.
It's the typical Yankees move, really: trade for a star and play him wherever just to get his bat in the lineup.
However, Reyes seems open to the idea.
When asked about the possibility, he said, per Jon Heyman of CBS Sports:
"At this point, I just want to win. No matter what people say, or whatever people think. I'm at the point in my career where I want to win. If it's here or someplace else, I don't know. Next year, I mean, should be better. But I don't want to spend the rest of my career playing on a last-place team. When I retire, I'm going to go home and say, 'I played for what?' You know, if I don't win anything.
"
That sounds like someone who wants to play in the postseason right now—plus, Reyes played second for the Mets in 2004 as a rookie.
When you consider the production coming from second base in New York this season, Reyes looks more and more attractive.
The Yankees' incumbent second baseman, Stephen Drew, is hitting .194 this season, while his backup, Brendan Ryan, is hitting .246. Reyes, on the other hand, is hitting .279.
Kansas City Royals: Stay Put
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Major Moves Already Made: Acquired SP Johnny Cueto, OF/INF Ben Zobrist; signed SP Wandy Rodriguez, RP Joba Chamberlain
Moves They Should Make: None
The Royals were the American League's best team before acquiring ace Johnny Cueto and utility specialist Ben Zobrist at the non-waiver deadline.
Afterward? They're still the league's top squad.
Adding Cueto gave the Royals one of the hottest pitchers in baseball; the right-hander has a 1.80 ERA in four starts with Kansas City.
Zobrist has also filled in nicely with Alex Gordon sidelined with injury. Gordon is expected to return from the DL soon.
There's not much you can change or add to this team to make it better.
Barring a serious injury during the next week, the Royals should be strong heading into the postseason.
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