Tuesday, July 30, marked MLB’s trade deadline.
More than 50 trades happened in the week before the deadline, with a few more expected in the coming weeks. Trades don’t just stop after the deadline; they continue but with restrictions. Players like Kole Calhoun, Tyler Naquin, and Sean Newcomb were traded last August.
Teams need ways to get new players even after the trade deadline . Injuries happen, and teams need reinforcements.
Trades:
The old waiver trade system that let teams like the Tigers trade Justin Verlander to the Astros on Aug. 31, 2017, ended in 2019. Now, only certain players can be traded post-deadline:
– Minor-league contract players
– Players not on a 40-man roster this season
– Players not on MLB injured list this season
Last year, Calhoun was in minors all season before joining Guardians on Aug. 4. He played briefly for Triple-A Yankees and Dodgers before hitting .217/.282/.376 in 43 MLB games for Guardians.
Recognizable minor-leaguers eligible for August trades include Kyle Barraclough (Rangers), Ken Giles (Braves), Yuli Gurriel (Braves), Jake Lamb (Pirates), Jake Marisnick (Angels), Adrian Sampson (Rangers), and Andrew Velazquez (Braves).
Waivers:
Waivers are still around in August and September but aren’t revocable anymore. If claimed, a player is gone from your team. Teams can use waivers as salary dumps: “I’ll claim him if you put him on waivers.” Last year saw Harrison Bader, Lucas Giolito, Ramón Laureano, Reynaldo López, and Hunter Renfroe claimed this way.
Fans might think these moves are just about saving money rather than improving teams.
John Brebbia of White Sox could be an August waiver candidate due to his $4M salary plus $1.5M buyout next year despite his high ERA but good strikeout rate.
Other candidates include Scott Alexander (Athletics), Buck Farmer (Reds), Chris Flexen (White Sox), Kevin Pillar (Angels), and Justin Wilson (Reds). They’re useful yet not too expensive for contenders.
Free Agents:
Teams can sign free agents anytime; however, talent pool isn’t great in August. Notable names available now include Dallas Keuchel Rich HillMartín MaldonadoMiguel Sanóand Jared WalshThese players are free to sign whenever they want.
Postseason Roster Eligibility Deadline:
To be playoff-eligible a player must join your organization by Aug. 31 at 11:59 p.m ET—no exceptions! For example Joe Mauer can’t return post-August and play playoffs even if he joins Twins mid-September!
Though rare September acquisitions do occur like when Marlins got Matt Moore off waivers last Sept., helping them reach postseason but couldn’t pitch playoffs since joined after deadline!
Adding impactful big-league players is over post-July; now it’s minor leaguers or waiver/free agency pickups only! Options limited yet who knows? Maybe someone gets lucky with a waiver claim!
What do you think? Will any team strike gold with these methods?
