MLB Trade Rumors: Jim Thome and the 2011 All-Waiver Team

The MLB Waivers process is about as easy to understand as tax laws.  Really, it's just a great way to get fans upset, or excited, about nothing.

This season has seen its fair share of high profile players placed on waivers this season.  A recent member of the 600 home run club, a legendary backstop for a baseball dynasty and a few thought-to-be rising stars have all been through the process this year.

Most aren't going anywhere, but a couple have new homes, or might have a new home within the new future.  Here's my selection for the Waiver Wire All-Stars, or All-Waiver Team, as I'll call it.

DH: Jim Thome

The Twins have gone waiver crazy this season, and Jim Thome joins Delmon Young as a high profile slugger to join an AL Central team.

Fresh off of joining elite company in the 600 home run club, and perhaps punching his ticket to Cooperstown, Jim Thome will be a replacement in the lineup for the perpetually injured Jim Thome.

Thome would be comfortable in the DH role for the All-Waiver team.

Starter: Wandy Rodriguez

Sorry, AJ Burnett; Wandy get's the ball for my All-Waiver team.

One of the oft-claimed on the list, Wandy Rodriguez has had numerous rumors surrounding him this season.

As the Astros are in a full rebuild mode, they surely were entertaining offers from several teams in pursuit of the talented left-hander before pulling him back.

The fact that Rodriguez is 9-9 with a 3.41 ERA on a team that is 46 games under .500 is astounding.

Catcher: Jorge Posada

The longtime Yankee appears to be winding down a solid career.  Not very comfortable as a DH, Posada has had one of his worst seasons ever, though he has heated up a little after a very slow start.

Posada will remain a Yankee, but the thought of them leaving their long tenured, former catcher unprotected was a very strange sight.

Even though he hasn't caught this year, Posada is best option (maybe the only?) to catch for the All-Waiver team.

1B: Carlos Pena

The boom-or-bust first baseman holds the dubious distinction of being the career home run leader for the Rays.  Not exactly Hall of Fame distinction, but leading an entire franchise in dingers is pretty impressive nonetheless.

Pena is having his typical Pena-like season (high home runs totals, low average) and was claimed off waivers by the Yankees before being pulled back by the Cubs.

He's a middle of the lineup hitter and an easy selection to this team.

2B: Aaron Hill

Not surprisingly, shortstop and second base are slim pickings for the All-Waiver team.  Aaron HIll traded a Blue Jays jersey for a D-Backs one after being placed on waivers.

Hill is only two years removed from an outstanding 36 home run and 108 RBI season, but he's struggled the last two season.  Kelly Johnson is also an option here.

I got to pick someone, so Hill gets the nod at second.

SS: Clint Barnes

The undeniable weak link to the team, probably just like your fantasy baseball team, is shortstop.  The position is just too valuable to expose, see Brandon Wood being claimed.

Barnes is an adequate player and really makes the team due to the lack of a valid substitute. John McDonald is really the only other option that I can see, unless a big name slipped through the cracks.

Barnes would be easy to hide in the lineup with some of the other gigantic names on this list.

3B: David Wright

So the impending fire sale didn't really happen in New York, with both Jose Reyes and David Wright staying put.

Still, the Mets did put David Wright on waivers, and he did draw interest, but they pulled him back rather than trade on of their pieces to the puzzle.

With the limited supply of quality third basemen, Wright is a no-brainer for the All-Waiver team.

LF: Delmon Young

One of only a couple of the guys on this list who've actually moved teams, Young was coming off a career year in Minnesota and expected to be a huge part of the team.

Instead, he's playing for the rival Tigers and has fit into the lineup quite nicely.

Young gets the nod over the timeless Johnny Damon and disappointing Carl Crawford for the competitive left field spot since he's been heating up lately.

CF: BJ Upton

The highly-talented, lowly-producing BJ Upton has struggled the last couple of seasons, but he still has the speed and glove to be the All-Waiver center fielder.

Everyone, especially the Rays, were hoping that Upton would blossom like his brother, Justin, but it just hasn't been in the cards yet.

Still, he's an intriguing name, and it's hard to imagine he couldn't be useful to a contender in need of an outfielder.

RF: Jason Kubel

The slugging outfielder from the Twins carried their offense early in the season, so it's surprising to see him placed on waivers.

Not surprisingly, Kubel is drawing a lot of interest and could be headed out of town like fellow teammates and All-Waiver selections Jim Thome and Delmon Young.

At his best, Kubel is a 25 home run and 100 RBI producer who would be a welcome addition to several contenders, someone who deserves selection to this team.

Closer: Heath Bell

It's not often you find a shutdown closer on waivers, but luckily for this year's version of the All-Waiver team, the Padres dangled Heath Bell out there.

The Giants claimed Bell and are attempting to acquire him.  The loss of Bell would totally decimate the bullpen of the Padres since super set-up man, Mike Adams, was traded to the Rangers earlier in the season.

Bell has had a successful career and is a welcome addition to the team.