MLB Waiver Trade Deadline 2015: Breaking Down the 5 Best Players Available
Major League Baseball's August waiver trade period can be confusing, but teams can actually still add to and subtract from their current rosters until the August 31 cutoff date.
With that deadline rapidly approaching, we'll take a look at the five best players who remain available on the trade market.
Many of the players on this list are high-profile names with big-money contracts. James Shields, Carlos Gonzalez, Hanley Ramirez, Matt Kemp and Francisco Rodriguez each have their flaws. However, they can still be valuable contributors for a contender looking to improve down the home stretch.
We'll analyze what each of those players can still bring to the table for a potential suitor. We will also take a look at each player's contractual situation, which is just as important as production in these types of deals.
Make sure to let your voice be heard in the comment section below. Would you want to see your team pursue any of the players on this list? What's a reasonable return? Do the lucrative contracts worry you?
Before we dive into the list, let's take a look at some honorable mentions that just missed the cut.
Honorable Mentions
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Martin Prado, INF/OF, Miami Marlins
The versatile Prado is an interesting option for numerous teams in need of depth improvements. The 31-year-old is hitting close to .270 and can play second, third or left field on any given night.
Jose Reyes, SS, Colorado Rockies
Reyes' days of being one of MLB's top table-setters are long gone, but he still has the ability to improve a contender—that is, if a team is willing to take on the $44 million owed to him over the next two seasons.
Alejandro De Aza, OF, Boston Red Sox
De Aza has put together a fantastic season since moving to Boston, hitting over .300 with a .506 slugging percentage. Since he'll be a free agent after the season, De Aza could be the best bang-for-your-buck target on the market.
Starlin Castro, SS, Chicago Cubs
There's no question that Castro has been downright awful this season. But the 25-year-old has proven he can be a key contributor for a major league team and is under team control through 2019.
5. Francisco Rodriguez, RP, Milwaukee Brewers
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2015 Stats: 30 SV, 43.2 IP, 2.06 ERA, 10.5 K/9, 1.9 BB/9
Every contender would love to add a dependable, battle-tested veteran for the playoff push, which makes Francisco Rodriguez an intriguing option for bullpen-needy squads.
After a solid 2014, K-Rod is in the midst of a fantastic season. The 33-year-old is a perfect 30-for-30 in save opportunities and boasts a 2.06 ERA in 45 appearances.
Despite diminishing velocity, Rodriguez has posted his highest strikeout percentage since 2007 with the Los Angeles Angels. To combat that decline in velocity, K-Rod has made his changeup his primary offering. Considering opponents have only mustered a .078 average against it, that seems like a worthwhile strategy.
Another reason for Rodriguez's success has been improved control. Among qualified receivers, he ranks 19th in walks per nine innings this season. That's a huge improvement from a career 3.63 mark in that area.
As far as the financial commitment, Rodriguez is owed $5.5 million next season with a $6 million team option ($4 million buyout) for 2017. That number may have been unappealing at the beginning of the season, but teams with bullpen needs will be much more willing to take on that salary next year after seeing what he's done in 2015.
K-Rod has a history of erratic performances, but he's been nothing but consistent this year. He's throwing strikes and creating more swings-and-misses, even though he's not able to rear back and throw it past hitters anymore.
Considering the amount of squads in need of late-inning reinforcements, Rodriguez figures to be moved before August 31. Whichever team snags him will be acquiring a player performing at an extremely high level.
4. Matt Kemp, OF, San Diego Padres
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2015 Stats: .267/.314/.423, 15 HR, 76 RBI, 60 R, .737 OPS
2015 has been a season to forget for the San Diego Padres. After a series of high-profile acquisitions didn't lead the Padres back to the postseason, changes may still be made to the roster before the August 31 deadline.
One of those changes could include outfielder Matt Kemp, who was placed on waivers earlier this month.
Kemp's first season in San Diego has been a mediocre one. The 30-year-old has stayed healthy for the entire campaign, but he is slashing just .267/.314/.423. However, Kemp has still managed to drive in runs. Despite his average slash line, he's on pace to for over 100 RBI, something he hasn't done since 2011.
Another reason Kemp could interest a contender is due to a recent hot streak in August. He's hitting .329 with an .871 OPS this month, which includes a 15-game hit streak and a game in which he hit for the cycle. The overall numbers may not jump off the page, but Kemp is doing his best to improve them in recent games.
The kicker, as usual, is the cash. Kemp is owed $21.75 million annually through the 2019 season. The Los Angeles Dodgers will take on $3.5 million of that total each season, but adding Kemp is a commitment to $70-plus million in salary.
That's a lot of money for a player with a history of picking up nagging injuries. For the Padres to move Kemp, large contracts would likely have to be involved on the other end to offset the financial commitment.
Because of that, it's unlikely that we see Kemp dealt before the end of the month. But teams with deep pockets will be enticed by his fantastic form in August.
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3. Hanley Ramirez, OF/IF, Boston Red Sox
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2015 Stats: .254/.294/.433, 19 HR, 53 RBI, 57 R, .728 OPS
Speaking of disasters, Hanley Ramirez's first season in Boston would probably classify as such.
Despite limited time in the outfield in his career, the Red Sox inked Ramirez to a four-year, $88 million deal this offseason. The plan was to stick Ramirez in left field while fellow signing Pablo Sandoval would man the hot corner.
Ramirez has never been a Gold Glove-caliber infielder, but he looked like Brooks Robinson compared to what he's shown in the outfield this season.
The 31-year-old has minus-19 defensive runs saved this season, which is the worst total among qualified major league outfielders. While nobody expected Ramirez to suddenly become a defensive whiz at a new position, his inability to take efficient routes and handle the Green Monster has killed the Red Sox.
But Ramirez was signed for his bat, not his glove. Despite a current career low in on-base percentage, he's still shown the ability to hit the ball out of the park in 2015. It's tough to ignore his dip in production this season, but career .296/.367/.433 hitters don't exactly grow on trees.
Still, the Red Sox cannot enter 2016 with Ramirez as their everyday left fielder. Pablo Sandoval and David Ortiz make it difficult to get him into the lineup otherwise, which opens the door for a much-needed roster overhaul.
Between Boston's two high-profile signings, Ramirez has more value due to his impressive track record throughout the years. The $22.75 million Ramirez is owed through 2018 must also be taken into account. He has a potential vesting option for 2019 for $22 million as well.
One of either Sandoval or Ramirez is likely to be moved before the start of 2016. If the right deal comes along for Ramirez over the coming days, a move could come even sooner.
2. James Shields, SP, San Diego Padres
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2015 Stats: 9-5, 158.2 IP, 3.74 ERA, 9.9 K/9, 3.2 BB/9
Over the winter, Max Scherzer and Jon Lester were the cream of the free-agent crop. Both starters had become bona fide aces and figured to remain so for the rest of their careers.
But James Shields wasn't a bad consolation prize. After the San Diego Padres made a handful of eye-opening acquisitions in the offseason, the 33-year-old inked a four-year, $75 million deal late in the winter.
Shields is not as good as Scherzer or Lester, but he's as dependable a starter as there is in MLB. Since 2007, the right-hander has made 30 or more starts and logged 200-plus innings in every season. Take a wild guess as to what he's on pace to do in 2015?
Despite the consistency, Shields has seen a dip in form since jumping to the National League. His 3.74 ERA is his highest mark since 2010, and he's walking more than three batters per nine innings for the first time in his career.
On the bright side, Shields is striking out more hitters than he ever has. He's has thrown five pitches 300 times or more this season, tossing his cutter less and his changeup more. The changeup has become one of Shields' top offerings, holding opponents to a .211 batting average.
Shields is owed $63 million through the 2018 season. However, an opt-out clause following 2016 would cut any financial commitment considerably. That decision is up to Shields, of course, but it opens up more potential trade partners for the Padres to work with.
No, Shields isn't an ace. But his ability to take the ball every fifth day and give his team a chance to win makes him a valuable commodity nonetheless.
1. Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Colorado Rockies
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2015 Stats: .273/.333/.544, 30 HR, 71 RBI, 68 R, .877 OPS
Carlos Gonzalez is one of the most talented players in MLB and is currently in the midst of the prime of his career. Because of that, the Colorado Rockies outfielder is the best player still available over the coming days.
Gonzalez may have gotten off to a slow start in 2015, but there have been few hitters better than him over the course of the second half. The 29-year-old is hitting .309 with 17 homers and a 1.141 OPS in the second half, bettering his .259 first-half batting average and .766 OPS by a significant margin.
What makes Gonzalez so dangerous is his ability to generate hard contact. He's hitting the ball hard over 34 percent of the time, and his home run-to-fly ball ratio is the fifth-highest mark in MLB. He's also capable of hitting the ball hard to all fields, which makes him an extremely tough batter to pitch to when he's right.
In terms of financial commitments, Gonzalez wouldn't be a burden for a potential team. He's owed $37 million through 2017, which isn't an exorbitant amount for a player with such offensive talent.
Of course, Gonzalez's inability to stay healthy may scare off potential suitors. Since making his major league debut in 2008, he's only played in 140 or more games one time. Gonzalez could exceed that total this season, but there's no guarantee that his impact bat can consistently stay in the lineup.
But, as in most cases, talent trumps all. Teams will be wary of his injury history, but Gonzalez is on fire and figures to be moved in the offseason if a deal can't be reached before the end of the month.
If he's healthy, there's not a better player on the trade market right now. Judging by his torrid stretch at the dish in the second half, Gonzalez seems to be feeling just fine.
Stats and contractual information courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com and accurate as of Aug. 24.
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