With the trade deadline has come and passed, and it fizzled without much going on, but the fun isn’t over yet. The waiver wire offers teams the opportunities to trade, but in a much more complex manner. By the end of the month, one thing is sure, trades will continue to be made, and teams will make waiver claims to block other teams ahead of them from getting the player they want. With all that said, here are a few players who could very well be moved in a waiver trade.
Hunter Pence & Tim Lincecum - San Francisco Giants
The Giants put both of their star players who are free agents at the end of the season on the block as they fell farther behind the first place Dodgers. The trade deadline came and went, though, with the Giants holding onto both these two and reliever Javier Lopez. With many teams, the Pirates and the Rangers at the forefront, in need of a right fielder it is believed that if someone comes up with the right deal Pence might go, even though the Giants want to resign Pence next season. Lincecum, on the other hand, may be headed to anyone who wants him and is willing to take on the rest of his contract. His future is not looking bright with the Giants, and teams in need of solid relief help will be looking at Lincecum after his run in the bullpen last postseason.
Justin Morneau - Minnesota Twins
It appears that many teams are afraid of the injury history of Morneau, and worried about his drop off in power, but teams in need of a left handed at bat off of the bench just might put in a claim on Morneau. He may not be the same guy who won the AL MVP in 2006 and finished second for the same award in 2008, but he can still help a team in need down the stretch. While no one will be beating down the door to get Morneau, if he is claimed, or clears waivers, he will help a team down the stretch.
Jimmy Rollins & Michael Young - Philadelphia Phillies
Rollins is probably not as likely to be moved as Young is, but both have cleared waivers and can now be traded to any team who makes the Phillies an offer. Not many teams will be willing to pay the contract that Rollins has, but with Derek Jeter struggling to stay healthy the Yankees could be in line to trade for Rollins, but then they’d be stuck with him next season, and probably the 2015 season as well, which is why he may stay at home in Philly. Young, on the other hand, had interest at the trade deadline, and the only hold up on making a deal was Young’s no trade clause.
Right before the deadline, Young said he would be willing to return to the Rangers and a trade to the Yankees or Red Sox. The Yankees showed some interest with Jeter having injury trouble and the looming suspension of Alex Rodriguez, but now A-Rod is probably going to play for the rest of the season while his suspension is being appealed and interest in adding another aging third baseman may have waned. If Young is willing to open up to a few more teams a trade is more likely, but as of now it appears it is the Yankees or no one because the Rangers and Sox are not interested.
Nate Schierholtz - Chicago Cubs
Much like Pence and Rios, Schierholtz is likely to move because he is a consistent hitter who plays right field. I hate to sound repetitive, but the Pirates and Rangers are in need of a right fielder. Like Morneau, though, Schierholtz could be a solid left handed bat off of the bench. Schierholtz has transitioned from just a right handed platoon player this season as he is having success against lefties. It is a small sample size, only 30 at bats, but he is batting .333 against lefties. Either way, Schierholtz could be solid for a contending team down the stretch, platoon or not.
Luke Gregerson - San Diego Padres
Gregerson was one of two relievers the Padres were shopping before the break, but the Padres were trying to be both buyers and sellers as they thought they were still able to make a run. A week removed from the trade deadline and the Padres still sit 12 games back of the division, and 11 back of the second NL Wild Card spot, so the Padres should be putting players back on the block. Gregerson should be the most attractive to contenders as every team in contention is in need of bullpen help. The only team that may actually be set is the Rangers as they are finally getting healthy, but they may very well take a claim on him just to block him from getting to the Athletics. The Tigers are the team in most need of bullpen help, but teams like the Pirates, Reds and the aforementioned Athletics could use help with injury issues and over use of key players in their respected bullpens.
A few other players have been designated for assignment recently, and could also be in play. Mark Reynolds, Travis Blackley and Laynce Nix have all been designated this week, and could be claimed or traded if they clear waivers. Utilityman Adam Rosales was designated last week by the Rangers, whom he only spent three games with, has been traded by the Athletics and will return to the A’s when a corresponding move has been made.