We are just weeks away from August 29, a key date for baseball fans.
Last year on this day, the Los Angeles Angels placed Lucas Giolito, Matt Moore, Dominic Leone, Reynaldo López, Hunter Renfroe, and Randal Grichuk on waivers. This move was all about saving money and avoiding luxury tax penalties. The trade deadline had passed, so they couldn’t get new players in return; they only saved money by shedding contracts.
After this big waiver event, some front offices didn’t think it would become a regular thing. Let’s see if any teams might try it this year.
Guideposts for Potential Teams:
To find possible teams that could follow the Angels’ example, we used three main factors:
- Low Playoff Chances: Teams with slim chances of making the playoffs.
- Luxury Tax Issues: Teams wanting to avoid luxury tax penalties.
- Impending Free Agents: Teams with many players about to become free agents.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays are nine games out of the last American League wild-card spot. Their luxury tax situation is unclear; some say they’re just under the threshold while others say they’re just above it . General Manager Ross Atkins mentioned they were on the "razor’s edge" after the deadline. They didn’t trade key players like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., suggesting those with more team control will stay put. With only one impending free agent left (Ryan Yarbrough), it’s hard to see them gaining much by waiving players now.
Verdict: Unlikely to do it due to lack of free-agent crop and their deadline approach.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs were expected to be top contenders in their division but now have less than a 3% chance of making October playoffs. Public estimates show they are slightly below the lowest tax threshold, giving them little reason to waive impending free agents or players with options for next year like Drew Smyly or Héctor Neris. Waiving Kyle Hendricks would also be a bad way to treat someone who has contributed so much.
Verdict: Unlikely due to minimal luxury tax implications.
Texas Rangers
Injuries and poor performance have hurt the Rangers’ chances of repeating as World Series champions; they have just a 1.1% playoff odds according to SportsLine . They are about $12 million over the luxury tax line per Spotrac’s calculations but General Manager Chris Young isn’t likely to give up easily. They do have several impending free agents like Max Scherzer and Andrew Heaney who could be waived for financial relief.
Verdict: Unlikely as it goes against their philosophy.
Fans might wonder if other teams will follow suit this year or if last year’s event was just a one-time thing .
Our takeaway is that no team seems poised to replicate what the 2023 Angels did—hopefully proving that last year’s move was an exception rather than a new trend in baseball transactions.
What do you think? Will any team take such drastic measures?
