8 Players on the Scrap Heap That Can Still Help MLB Contenders

While the MLB trade deadline has passed and the waiver wire appears to have run dry, there are still a handful of moves that could be made in the days to come.

A handful of veterans have been released recently, and while they are not game-changers, they could certainly be of interest to a contender for one reason or another.

So here is a look at eight players currently on the scrap heap who could wind up helping a contender down the stretch.

Jeremy Accardo, Free Agent

Stats: 26 G, 0-0, 4.58 ERA, 28 Ks, 35.1 IP

Generally there are a number of veteran relievers on the scrap heap when August rolls around, with teams out of contention looking to get a look at some of their younger talent.

This season, however, that has not been the case and Accardo may be the only viable option out there for a contender. Even that may be up in the air, as he has not been a truly reliable reliever since 2009.

He was solid at times this season, and the 30-year-old still has something left, so he could catch on with a contender at some point before the season is up.

Mike Fontenot, Free Agent

Stats: .289/.343/.340, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 13 R

Fontenot has proven capable of playing second base, shortstop and third base adequately while providing a left-handed bat off the bench with some passable offensive skills.

He's not going to take anyone's starting job anytime soon, but he is a solid middle infielder and someone who has been part of a late-season push as the Giants acquired him from the Cubs back in August of 2010.

Russell Branyan, Free Agent

Stats: .311/.444/.656, 12 HR, 40 RBI, 22 R in minors

Branyan has not seen big league action this season and he has not played in a game since July 6, but he showed that he still has some pop during his 33 games in Triple-A for the Yankees.

Buster Olney named him as a potential trade target for the Dodgers back before the trade deadline, and while he was not moved then he could still generate some interest.

Even at 36, he provides solid power and a good on-base percentage. He'll strike out a ton, and doesn't really have a position defensively at this point, but for a contender looking for a left-handed bat with power he could make sense.

Hideki Matsui, Free Agent

Stats: .147/.214/.221, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 7 R

Matsui continued to post solid numbers after leaving the Yankees, as he hit .274 BA, 21 HR, 84 RBI with the Angels in 2010 and .251 BA, 12 HR, 72 RBI with the A's last season.

The Rays took a chance on him with a minor league deal, and when Luke Scott went down he was called up to serve as the team's DH. He provided little in the way of a spark over 95 at-bats, though, and was relegated to the bench before being released.

His .312 BA, 10 HR, 39 RBI postseason stat line could be enough to intrigue a contender looking for a bat off the bench, as the 2009 World Series MVP has a terrific October track record.

Johnny Damon, Free Agent

Stats: .222/.281/.329, 4 HR, 19 RBI, 25 R

Damon turned in a surprise season of sorts in 2011 when he hit .261 BA, 16 HR, 73 RBI and was a key offensive contributor for the Rays on their way to the postseason.

In need of some outfield help, the Indians signed the 38-year-old to a one-year, $1.25 million deal this offseason in hopes of him replicating his 2011 numbers.

He was hitting just .207 at the end of June, though, and with the Indians now out of the playoff picture he was released in favor of Ezequiel Carrera.

While his numbers don't look good, he did show signs of improvement with a .276 average in the month of July. That could be enough for someone to give him a look down the stretch.

Bobby Abreu, Minor Leagues

Stats: .246/.347/.340, 2 HR, 22 RBI, 27 R

Abreu was released by the Angels back in April and he caught on with a Dodgers team that was dealing with the injury of Matt Kemp shortly there after.

For a short time, he found himself hitting in the middle of the Dodgers lineup, but with the recent acquisition of Shane Victorino he has become disposable.

He was designated for assignment and somewhat surprisingly accepted a minor league assignment, so acquiring him would take a trade. He's not the player he once was, but he still gives a professional at-bat from the left side of the plate.

Derek Lowe, Free Agent

Stats: 21 GS, 8-10, 5.52 ERA, 41 Ks, 119 IP

Acquired from the Braves in the offseason, Lowe looked like a steal early on as he went 6-2 with a 2.15 ERA through his first nine starts.

However, he was shelled by the White Sox on May 26 for eight runs and 10 hits over 2.1 innings and his season quickly went downhill from there.

A 10.03 ERA in July led to his release, and according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports he is willing to start or relieve for anyone willing to sign him. He's a veteran with postseason experience, so a team could very well take a shot on him.

UPDATE: Lowe has signed with the New York Yankees

Lyle Overbay, Free Agent

Stats: .292/.367/.448, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 11 R

With the acquisition of Chris Johnson to play third base, prospect Ryan Wheeler was moved to the bench and Overbay became the odd man out for playing time.

He's played well in limited action this season, with a solid .367 on-base percentage over 110 plate appearances, and he is as likely as anyone to be picked up in the next few weeks.

According to Harry Schulman of The San Francisco Chronicle, the Giants have interest in him if he is willing to spend some time in the minors upon being signed, while the Orioles have also shown interest in him, according to Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun.