MLB Waiver Trade Deadline: Analyzing 10 Last-Second Rumors

After the months of speculation leading up to July's non-waiver trade deadline finally came to a head, it seemed like we could all finally breathe a bit and watch the second half of the MLB season play itself out.

That notion was quickly put to rest when the waiver wire acted up in August.

We saw players like Joe Blanton and Cliff Lee make news, and while a deal for Lee was never reached, that doesn't mean that others wouldn't be made.

The blockbuster deal sending seemingly half of the Boston Red Sox to the Los Angeles Dodgers certainly turned the heads of the entire baseball world, and while it may be impossible to expect another trade like that, it doesn't mean that we won't see a player or two change sides in the next day.

Chase Headley

The New York Yankees appear to be in complete control of the proceedings in the AL East, though they were one of many teams in the picture thought to be interested in adding San Diego's Chase Headley prior to the non-waiver deadline. 

Headley never made his move to the Yankees, and though he's continued to garner some interest, his .276 BA and .371 OBP would be a valuable piece to a rebuilding Padres squad.

Carlos Marmol

Control is a premium for relief pitchers hoping to make a positive impact with their teams, so it's no surprise that Carlos Marmol has been a disappointment on the mound in 2012.

Walking nearly one batter per inning, he has a WHIP approaching 2.00 and an ERA of 4.02.

With the Cubs looking to rebuild in any way they can, and a number of teams seeking out relief options for a stretch run, we shouldn't be surprised if Marmol, who recently cleared waivers, heads out of Wrigley sooner rather than later.

Scott Hairston

Thirty-two-year-old Scott Hairston has had a relatively successful 2012 season thus far, with a batting average approaching .275 and the highest home run total (14) he's posted since 2008.

The New York Mets have a lot of decisions to make this offseason, and deciding whether to retain Hairston may not be one of them.

The utility player was placed on waivers along with teammate Andres Torres, and while it was earlier thought he could be an option for teams out there, it sounds like his being claimed was solely a move to block any potential move by another playoff contender.

Joe Mauer

The Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area was abuzz this week when word broke that hometown boy Joe Mauer was placed on waivers by the Minnesota Twins.

As many casual fans may not understand, it's a normal process that players go through all the time. Still, as Mauer cleared revocable trade waivers this week, you have to wonder whether the team is listening to any offers.

While it's unlikely we'll see a blockbuster deal involving Mauer at the deadline, his name will surely come up in talks this offseason.

Felix Doubront

Relief pitching isn't exactly the easiest thing to find when the waiver wire heats up, so anytime a potential late-inning option emerges it becomes more valuable.

Felix Doubront has started all 23 of his appearances this season, though he came out of the bullpen in relief in 2011 and could represent a viable option for teams looking for the help.

The Boston Red Sox are clearly in a dealing mood, so it wouldn't be the biggest shock in the world to see his name come up in the coming days.

Roy Oswalt

Having just made his way to Texas a matter of months ago, it sounds like Roy Oswalt's days in a Rangers uniform may be numbered.

He's posted a 4-2 record with the team this season, but has seen his ERA balloon to nearly 6.00 and has failed to catch on in a way that would make him a staple in the rotation or bullpen.

Industry sources have indicated that Oswalt, who cleared waivers, could be moved. Keeping in mind the effort it takes to put together waiver deals, it seems unlikely Oswalt goes anywhere before the season ends.

Edinson Volquez

In his first season in San Diego, Edinson Volquez has posted a 9-9 record with an ERA hovering just over 4.00.

He'll be under team control for another season, but the starting pitcher has been placed on waivers, and with his name popping up in July with a connection to the Atlanta Braves, it wouldn't be surprising if he garnered some additional interest now.

With all that interest, however, a rebuilding team like the Padres would be wise to hold on to Volquez through the process rather than ship him to an immediate contender, so it seems more likely that he's going nowhere.

Alfonso Soriano

Adding a player like Alfonso Soriano would help the San Francisco Giants match the wheeling and dealing of the division-rival Dodgers, though it's hard to see a deal of that nature come to fruition given his substantial contract.

Soriano is owed $18 million per season through 2014, and while he's been considered somewhat of a black hole from a salary perspective, he's been relatively consistent, going deep at least 20 times every season since 2001.

This season, he has his highest batting average since 2008, and while he's considered far less overrated of late, you'd have to think any potential deal would have to wait until this offseason.

Justin Upton

As is the case anytime the waiver wire lights up, players that almost certainly won't move are pushed out there.

Although with the mega trade that we just saw send some superstars from Boston to Los Angeles, it's clear that anything is possible.

The Arizona Diamondbacks did place star Justin Upton on waivers, and while teams like the Detroit Tigers would love to get their hands on a player like Upton, a move to the AL via free agency this offseason seems more likely.

Carlos Lee

Having nearly moved for the second time in 2012 prior to this July's non-waiver trade deadline, it's hard to think Carlos Lee is in any way permanently entrenched in Miami, and he's still drawing interest.

The San Francisco Giants may be in the market for a power-hitting bat from the right side, and as they continue to fill the void left by Melky Cabrera's suspension, they would do well to add a veteran presence like Lee.