MLB Rumors: Analyzing All the Last-Minute Whispers, News and Speculation
Though impact trades are generally few and far between after the July 31 non-waiver deadline passes, teams are by no means done adding pieces when the calendar turns over to August.
Teams can continue to make trades the rest of the season, but a player must be acquired before Sept. 1 in order to be eligible for inclusion on the postseason roster.
Mike Napoli, Chase Utley, Marlon Byrd, Oliver Perez and Neal Cotts are among the notable players who have already been traded this month, but more could be on the move in the next few days as teams look to make one last move.
So with that in mind, here's a quick look at the latest news from around the league regarding potential additions here at the end of August.
Jason Frasor Is Looking for a New Home Once Again
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Despite pitching to a 1.29 ERA over 32 appearances this season, veteran reliever Jason Frasor is looking for a new home for the second time this year.
A look at his peripheral numbers tells a better story.
He's walked 18 batters in 22 innings of work, leading to a rough 1.607 WHIP, but he's managed to tip-toe around trouble thanks to an abnormally high 91.7 strand rate.
The 38-year-old proved to be a solid deadline pickup for the Kansas City Royals last season, posting a 1.53 ERA in 23 appearances and giving an already lethal bullpen another weapon.
That earned him a one-year, $1.8 million extension, but the Royals released him July 13 as he was the casualty of a roster crunch in the pen.
The Atlanta Braves scooped him up three days later, but he made just six appearances before landing on the disabled list in early August.
He was released Aug. 27, according to David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and could potentially help a contender looking to add some bullpen depth.
John Mayberry Jr. Could Be a Low-Risk Bench Addition
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John Mayberry Jr. was a productive part-time player for the Philadelphia Phillies from 2011 to 2014, posting a .730 OPS and averaging 12 home runs in 302 at-bats per season.
Looking to add some depth to their bench, the New York Mets signed him to a one-year, $1.45 million deal in the offseason to the team's fourth outfielder.
However, in over 110 at-bats with the team, he hit just .164/.227/.318 with three home runs and nine RBI before being released July 30.
He signed with the Chicago White Sox and joined their Triple-A affiliate earlier this month, and he posted similarly mediocre numbers with a .162/.225/.189 line in 13 games before being released again Aug. 26.
So why would a contender potentially be interested in adding the 31-year-old?
Mayberry owns a .260/.315/.517 career line against left-handed pitching and is a .255/.323/.447 hitter in 141 career pinch-hit appearances, so as a platoon option and bench bat he does have a solid track record of success.
Francisco Rodriguez and Darren O'Day Placed on Revocable Waivers
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All-Star relievers Francisco Rodriguez and Darren O'Day have been placed on revocable waivers, according to a tweet from Peter Gammons.
Placing players on waivers is commonplace during the month of August—most get pulled back—but this late in the month it's at least worth reading into whether or not either reliever could potentially be dealt.
Rodriguez is the more likely of the two to be moved, as he's closing for a non-contending Milwaukee Brewers team.
The 33-year-old has enjoyed a career renaissance of sorts in Milwaukee, and after a strong 2014 season, the team brought him back on a two-year, $13 million deal that includes a $6 million option for 2017.
That makes him more than just a rental arm for any team looking to acquire him, but that should be a chip in his favor, as he's a perfect 30-for-30 on save chances with a 2.01 ERA and 10.5 K/9 this season.
On the other hand, O'Day would be a rental player. He's set to hit free agency this coming offseason, but with the Baltimore Orioles sitting just 3.5 games back for a wild card spot, it seems unlikely they would move their top setup arm.
The 32-year-old has been fantastic in his four seasons in Baltimore, posting a 1.96 ERA, 0.954 WHIP and 9.6 K/9 in 257 appearances.
Keep an eye on both guys in the days to come, as they could make a significant impact if they are traded.
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Craig Kimbrel Claimed on Waivers, Unlikely to Be Moved
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According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, closer Craig Kimbrel has been claimed on revocable trade waivers by an unknown team.
Rosenthal goes on to say that a club official indicated the team has no intention of moving him. Crazier things have happened, and the Padres could consider shifting gears after standing pat at the July deadline.
Kimbrel has again been one of the most dominant relievers in the game this season, converting 36-of-38 save chances with a 2.88 ERA, 1.040 WHIP and 12.2 K/9.
The 27-year-old was acquired from the Atlanta Braves in a deal just before Opening Day, as the final addition in what was an extremely busy offseason for a Padres team that was expected to contend.
That has not been the case, though, and the team's decision to hold on to all of its trade chips at the deadline was met with more than a little surprise around the league.
The Padres did entertain offers for Kimbrel leading up to the deadline, but their asking price was said to be nothing short of ridiculous.
Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reported that the team requested All-Star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt from the Diamondbacks when they came calling in July.
That alone is probably reason enough to believe Kimbrel won't be on the move in the days to come, but it could be a different story this winter.
Austin Jackson Clears Waivers, Generates Interest
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For their part in the three-team blockbuster that sent David Price to the Detroit Tigers last July, the Seattle Mariners managed to flip infielder Nick Franklin for center field Austin Jackson.
Jackson looked to be a future star following a breakout season at the age of 25 in 2012. That year, he hit .300/.377/.479 with 29 doubles, 10 triples, 16 home runs and 66 RBI for a 5.4 WAR.
Though he took a step back the following season, he still looked like a significant upgrade for the Mariners, which had dealt with a revolving door in center field since Franklin Gutierrez was healthy and productive.
His performance down the stretch for a contending Mariners team was somewhat disappointing, as he hit .229/.267/.260 in 223 at-bats, but the team still had high hopes for what he could bring to the lineup here in 2015.
Jackson has been relatively productive this year, hitting .268/.309/.372 with 18 doubles, seven home runs and 36 RBI for a 1.1 WAR, but with the Mariners out of contention, the free-agent-to-be is a clear trade candidate.
The 28-year-old cleared waivers Aug. 24 and has been generating interest from teams, according to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports.
At this point, he may be the most likely impact player to still be dealt before the Aug. 31 deadline passes.
All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference, unless otherwise noted.
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