MLB Trade Scenarios: One Potential Last Second Waiver Deal for Each Contender

The deadline for a player to be acquired and be eligible for postseason play falls on September 1st, and while it seems as though all the chips may have fallen in this year's trade market, there are still a handful of players who have cleared waivers and are eligible to be traded to any team.

The playoff race is shaping up to be a good one in a number of divisions, and there is not a team that would not benefit from adding another player to their rosters. There are only a small number of player who have cleared waivers at this point, so some players will appear more than once since the pickings are rather slim.

So here is a look at one potential last-second waiver trade that could be made by each contender, every team within at least five games of the division lead or wild card, as we head into the season's final month with things far from decided for October.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Ryan Theriot

Since Stephen Drew was lost for the season with an injury, the Diamondbacks have had a hole at the shortstop position. Willie Bloomquist has stood in admirably, but he is better suited in a utility role.

The team recently made a move with the Diamondbacks, shipping second baseman Kelly Johnson out in exchange for second baseman Aaron Hill and utility man John McDonald.

McDonald is not the answer at shortstop either, but Cardinals infielder Ryan Theriot could be the answer. He has been relegated to the bench since the team acquired Rafael Furcal, and could be non-tendered at season's end anyway. He would add a high-average bat to the lineup, and should come for next to nothing.

Atlanta Braves: Angel Pagan

After a terrible season in which he has hit just .220, the Braves finally benched Jason Heyward earlier this month and he has been splitting time in the outfield with Jose Costanza ever since.

While Costanza has been a terrific surprise, hitting .341 BA, 2 HR, 9 RBI in limited at bats, it seems risky to rely on a 5'9" 27-year-old rookie, and while Pagan has not been great he is at least a proven commodity and a solid all-around player.

Boston Red Sox: Johnny Damon

Many people believed that the Red Sox would make a move to replace right fielder J.D. Drew at the deadline, but the team instead decided to go with rookie Josh Reddick in right field and he has played well.

However, the team's fourth outfielder Darnell McDonald is hitting just .192 and the team has no real offensive threat off the bench. That could make a reunion between Damon and the Red Sox good for both sides, and who wouldn't want to see Damon playing in October for the Red Sox one more time.

Detroit Tigers: D.J. Carrasco

Every playoff contender can always use another bullpen arm, and the Tigers are no different as their bullpen has at least a few questions beyond closer Jose Valverde.

Carrasco has been decent for the Mets, but his track record shows he is capable of being even better and with an ERA that is nearly a full point lower in the second half than the first half this year, he is pitching his best baseball right now.

Los Angeles Angels: Chris Capuano

After giving a start to big league journeyman Jerome Williams last week, the Angels could certainly use a fifth starter for the remainder of the season. While calling rookie Tyler Chatwood back up is one option, the team may be better served adding a veteran arm for the final month.

Mets starter Chris Capuano comes nice and cheap with a salary of just $1.5 million this year, and he has been much better than expected with 10 wins and he could be the solution for the Angels down the stretch.

Milwaukee Brewers: Ryan Theriot

The Diamondbacks could certainly have interest in Theriot as mentioned, but the contender with by far the biggest need for an upgrade at shortstop resides in the same division that Theriot currently plays in.

While it remains to be seen if the Cardinals would be willing to deal with the team they are currently chasing, the fact of that matter is that at 10.5 games behind the Brewers, the Cardinals are really chasing the Braves, so that is not as big an issue as it may seem.

The Brewers current shortstop, Yuniesky Betancourt, came over in the Zack Greinke deal this past off season and he has been the weak link in the lineup hitting just .253 and playing sub par defense at shortstop.

New York Yankees: Ted Lilly

Much has been made about the Yankees' starting pitching all season, but the fact of the matter is the trio of C.C. Sabathia (17-7, 2.99 ERA), Ivan Nova (13-4, 3.97 ERA) and Bartolo Colon (8-8, 3.71 ERA) could make for a solid playoff rotation.

However, solid doesn't cut it in New York and the team could certainly be in the market for a pitcher with more experience than Nova and less "experience" than the 38-year-old Colon.

Lilly comes with the burden of roughly $27 million left on his contract, but the Dodgers would no doubt be willing to do what it takes to save at least some of that money.

Philadelphia Phillies: Willie Harris

The Phillies have dealt with a number of injuries this season, starting the season with second baseman Chase Utley on the disabled list and currently dealing with Jimmy Rollins being on the disabled list.

As good as the Phillies are, they are short on depth both in the infield and in the outfield. They have been active on waivers over the past couple seasons acquiring Matt Stairs and Mike Sweeney, and adding Harris could provide with some depth and a professional hitter.

San Francisco Giants: Bruce Chen

There is little question that the strength of the Giants, and the reason they won it all last season is their fantastic pitching staff and the foursome of Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez and Madison Bumgarner. Journeyman Ryan Vogelsong has also emerged, having a breakthrough season and making the All-Star game.

However, with Jonathan Sanchez on the shelf right now the team has turned to a pair of different starters to fill his rotation spot the last two times through the rotation, and with Sanchez perhaps out for the season the team may be in the market for a fifth starter to help eat some innings and get them into October.

Texas Rangers: Carlos Lee

After picking up Jeff Francoeur at the last minute last season, the Rangers could once again look to add a power bat off the bench for the postseason. This one is a bit of a long shot, but there are reasons why it makes sense for both sides.

Carlos Lee is not the same hitter he once was, and he is owed $23 million through the end of next season, so why make this trade? One reason could be the fact that Lee's 10-and-5 rights kick in next season meaning he could veto any trade, so rather than hold onto him and get nothing for him, the Astros could eat the bulk of his remaining money, save a little and perhaps get a prospect from the Rangers.

As for the Rangers, they are not getting a superstar (and they don't need one), but at the very least, he could provide them with what Lance Berkman provided for the Yankees last season with a few big hits down the stretch as a reserve.