MLB Waiver Trade Deadline: Spotlighting the 10 Best Available Players
The MLB waiver wire is an awfully busy place this time of year.
As ESPN's Jayson Stark noted, "every player" in the bigs hits the the wire at some point in August. Of course, it's also an extremely mysterious place, as only a fraction of those major leaguers will make it through unclaimed and subsequently become available for a trade prior to the August 31 deadline.
According to MLBTradeRumors.com, there are only three players known to have cleared: James Shields, Chase Utley and Jose Reyes. Those three all fit the description of players who most frequently become available for August swaps: underachievers playing on outsized deals.
Looking around the league, there are an array of guys who would be strong candidates to clear waivers because their production hasn't matched their salaries during the current campaign. In other cases, despite strong performances, players have cracked the list because they are still owed a lot of money in 2016 and beyond and find themselves on a struggling club.
The idea here is to highlight the 10 best such players. In the ranking process, the most important factor was how well a given player has performed in 2015.
The big leaguer who claims the No. 1 spot has been on an absolute tear over the past month-and-a-half and has the potential to be a game-changer in the playoff race if he ends up switching clubs this month.
10. Martin Prado, UTL, Miami Marlins
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The Contract Situation
- 2015: Owed the balance of his $11 million salary
- 2016: Owed $11 million
The Target
Martin Prado should keep his phone nearby between now and the end of the month. As Joe Frisaro of MLB.com explained via Twitter, "If a team like [the New York] #Yankees is willing to overpay, [the Miami] #Marlins are certainly open to waiver trade of Martin Prado."
With a .272 batting average and a .670 OPS, Prado hasn't exactly been a star for the Fish in 2015. But those numbers would qualify as a major upgrade in the Bronx if the Yankees brought him in to take over second base. On the season, the Yankees who have patrolled that spot own an MLB-worst .205 average and rank No. 24 in OPS (.639).
There's also the financial aspect of the situation to consider. Per the terms of the trade that sent Prado from New York to Miami last summer, the Yankees are already paying $3 million of the infielder's salary in 2015 and the same amount of his paycheck in 2016.
9. Starlin Castro, SS/2B, Chicago Cubs
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The Contract Situation
- 2015: Owed the balance of his $6.9 million salary
- 2016: Owed $7.9 million
- 2017: Owed $9.9 million
- 2018: Owed $10.9 million
- 2019: Owed $11.9 million
- 2020: Has a team option for $16 million (with a $1 million buyout)
The Target
Deposed as the starting shortstop by Addison Russell, Starlin Castro's time with the Chicago Cubs could be running out.
One look at the terms of his contract makes it clear that Castro is just the type of player who would slide through waivers unclaimed. So far, the 25-year-old isn't pushing for a trade away from the NL Central squad.
“It’s very awkward right now for everybody,” said Castro's agent, Paul Kinzer, per Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times. “Sometimes a change of scenery is good for everybody. I think it would crush him to leave Chicago. He loves it here.”
Since Castro is the owner of an unsightly .574 OPS, the most likely way for the Cubs to get out from under his deal would be to take on another unfavorable contract in a swap. Another option would be to hold on to Castro and hope he bolsters his value with a strong stretch run, then revisiting trade talks in the winter.
8. Chase Utley, 2B, Philadelphia Phillies
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The Contract Situation
- 2015: Owed the balance of his $15 million salary
- 2016: Has a $15 million vesting option if he reaches 500 plate appearances in 2015. He has the same vesting option for 2017 and 2018.
The Target
Courtesy of an ankle injury, 2015 has been a forgettable season for Chase Utley. The second baseman is the owner of a .213 average, but everything has started to click for him ever since he returned from the disabled list earlier this month.
In seven games in August, Utley has posted a .500 average (13-for-26) and clubbed five doubles for the Philadelphia Phillies. The strong return for the 36-year-old has sparked trade rumors across the league. Per Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels and San Francisco Giants have all checked in on the lefty hitter.
Heyman noted the Giants, who are currently making do without starting second baseman Joe Panik (back), and the Angels are seen as the "most likely fits." Ultimately, it's Utley's call whether he'll be going anywhere at all. As a 10-year veteran who's been with the same team for five seasons, Utley has the right to nix any potential move.
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7. Marlon Byrd, OF, Cincinnati Reds
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The Contract Situation
- 2015: Owed the balance of his $8 million salary
- 2016: Has an $8 million vesting option (becomes a team option if he does not reach 550 plate appearances in 2015)
The Target
Marlon Byrd knows all about August trades. Back in 2013, the New York Mets sent the veteran outfielder to the Pittsburgh Pirates just days before the waiver-trade deadline.
There's a chance that Byrd could be involved in a another waiver swap this month, as Cliff Corcoran of Sports Illustrated tabbed the 37-year-old as one of the top candidates for just such a deal.
It's easy enough to understand why a contending club would be interested in bringing Byrd on board. The outfielder doesn't hit for high average (.241), but he does supply plenty of pop. Byrd has gone yard 19 times for the Cincinnati Reds, and he'd be an especially strong fit for a club looking to strengthen its lineup against lefties. In 2015, Byrd is sporting a .500 slugging percentage and an .844 OPS against southpaws.
6. Jose Reyes, SS, Colorado Rockies
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The Contract Situation
- 2015: Owed the balance of his $22 million salary
- 2016: Owed $22 million
- 2017: Owed $22 million
- 2018: Has a $22 million team option (with a $4 million buyout)
The Target
Just acquired by the Colorado Rockies last month, Jose Reyes is eligible to be traded again, as the veteran shortstop has cleared waivers, per Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
The 32-year-old, who has a .274 average and 19 steals, is still a useful player. But he's also an expensive one, which is why it comes as no surprise that he slipped through waivers unclaimed.
George A. King III of the New York Post pointed out that Reyes could provide the New York Yankees with a much-needed upgrade at second base but added that general manager Brian Cashman sounded reluctant to make such a significant financial commitment.
“Adding money in the short term and long term, how does it fit?’’ Cashman said. "[Owner] Hal [Steinbrenner] is open to money, that’s never an issue. Hal is also sensible and practical and not doing something just to do it.’’
For Reyes' part, the shortstop just wants to be a member of a team that's in the race.
"At this point, I just want to win," Reyes said, per Heyman. "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."
Unfortunately for Reyes, his salary situation will make it highly challenging for the Rockies to grant him that wish.
5. James Shields, SP, San Diego Padres
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The Contract Situation
- 2015: Owed the balance of his $10 million salary
- 2016: Owed $21 million (can opt out after the season)
- 2017: Owed $21 million
- 2018: Owed $21 million
- 2019: Has a team option for $16 million (with a $2 million buyout)
The Target
According to Buster Olney of ESPN, the San Diego Padres are free to trade James Shields to any other team in baseball, as the righty has already cleared waivers.
The obvious stumbling block for the Pads is that there might not be any takers for the middling starter. In his first season with the NL West team, Shields has compiled an 8-5 record and a 3.89 ERA. The vet has been a mess when he's not pitching at Petco Park. At home, Shields is sporting a 3.00 ERA in 12 starts. On the road, he's run up a 4.75 ERA in 13 outings.
Those splits are sure to scare off a few interested clubs. For the Padres, the best chance of finding a new home for Shields would be if contending clubs were to lose a key starting pitcher between now and the end of the month.
4. Francisco Rodriguez, RP, Milwaukee Brewers
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The Contract Situation
- 2015: Owed the balance of his $3.5 million salary
- 2016: Owed $5.5 million
- 2017: Has a $6 million team option (with a $4 million buyout)
The Target
Back at the beginning of August, ESPN's Jerry Crasnick identified Francisco Rodriguez as one of the most likely players to be moved before the waiver-trade deadline.
K-Rod is a relative bargain in 2015, as he's pitching on a $3.5 million salary. But the fact that the 33-year-old is owed at least $9.5 million beyond the end of the season means that he's a risky player to claim.
An All-Star earlier this summer, K-Rod has the look of a reliever who could bolster a contender's pen. His 1.90 ERA would be a welcome addition for either the Houston Astros or Los Angeles Dodgers, two first-place clubs that have been wobbling in the late frames. The Dodgers' relief crew has been especially problematic, as the group has racked up the third-worst ERA (4.10) in the NL.
3. Matt Kemp, RF, San Diego Padres
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The Contract Situation
- 2015: Owed the balance of his $21.25 million salary
- 2016: Owed $21.75 million
- 2017: Owed $21.75 million
- 2018: Owed $21.75 million
- 2019: Owed $21.75 million
The Target
Matt Kemp has quietly been returning to his old dynamic form in the past month. In his last 30 games for the San Diego Padres, the right-handed hitter has a .318 average and a .545 slugging percentage while connecting on six bombs.
Kemp recently made history on August 14, as he became the first San Diego player to hit for a cycle.
"I was like, 'Wow.' It's hard to believe, all the great hitters that have been here, Tony Gwynn and all those guys haven't been able to hit for the cycle," Kemp told the Associated Press, via FoxSports.com. "I'm just glad to be able to do it."
Even with his recent surge, it would take an extremely bold executive for Kemp to change teams before the end of the month. As you can see above, the controlling team still owes the 30-year-old a mint between now and the conclusion of 2019.
The odds are against it, but such a deal could still materialize. According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the Padres put Kemp on waivers earlier in August. To facilitate a swap, San Diego could consider eating some of the remaining money on Kemp's deal or taking back another big contract.
2. Hanley Ramirez, LF, Boston Red Sox
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The Contract Situation
- 2015: Owed the balance of his $19.8 million salary
- 2016: Owed $22.8 million
- 2017: Owed $22.8 million
- 2018: Owed $22.8 million
- 2019: Has a $22 million vesting option
The Target
With 19 jacks, Hanley Ramirez hasn't been a total dud in his first season with the Boston Red Sox. However, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the last-place club wouldn't mind shipping out the 31-year-old—even if the odds of such a move happening are slim.
"The Red Sox could hope for a 'bad contract' swap with Ramirez. There are plenty of those out there. But it would seem the Red Sox are stuck with this deal."
One way for Boston to offload Ramirez would be to attach him to a highly touted prospect in a multiplayer swap. Based on his track record, the Dominican wouldn't be the worst player for a contender to add. In 13 postseason games, Ramirez is a .356 hitter with a 1.031 OPS.
1. Carlos Gonzalez, RF, Colorado Rockies
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The Contract Situation
- 2015: Owed the balance of his $16 million salary
- 2017: Owed $17 million
- 2018: Owed $20 million
The Target
Carlos Gonzalez has taken a two-by-four to the rest of the NL over the past month-and-a-half. Dating back to the beginning of July, CarGo has crushed 17 home runs for the Colorado Rockies. On the season, the right fielder has now gone yard 27 times and is the owner of an .858 OPS.
That's the kind of production that would be a major boost for an offensively challenged contender. As Jim Bowden of ESPN.com argued, the Los Angeles Angels are one club that would make sense as a potential landing spot for Gonzalez.
Los Angeles has been dangerously reliant on Mike Trout and Albert Pujols throughout the season, and the team has been inept at the plate since the Midsummer Classic. In the second half, the Halos rank No. 22 in runs. As a result, the club has dropped out of playoff position, trailing the Houston Astros by 3.5 games in the AL West and sitting half a game back of the Baltimore Orioles for the second wild-card spot.
Note: All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com and MLB.com. All salary information courtesy of Cot's Baseball Contracts on BaseballProspectus.com.
If you want to talk baseball, find me on Twitter @KarlBuscheck.
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