There is a certain hype surrounding the July 31st MLB trading deadline. There was a flurry of action this year with stars such as Yoenis Cespedes, David Price, Carlos Gomez, Cole Hamels, and Troy Tulowitzki changing clubs over the final pages of the July calendar. The July 31st cutoff point is for non-waiver moves, meaning that a player does not need to clear the waiver process before they are dealt. August 31st is the waiver deadline, the penultimate date for trades to be made if you want said player to be eligible for your postseason roster. Many landscape altering swaps have been completed in August over the years. The Dodgers ate a hearty plate of Red Sox salary dump in 2012 netting Adrian Gonzalez for the burden of Carl Crawford and Josh Beckett. The Pirates traded then All-Star Brian Giles for future All-Star Jason Bay in 2003. The Pirates got fleeced in 2008 when they traded for Blue Jays backup catcher Robinson Diaz. They gave up Jose Bautista who would go on to become a powerhouse north of the border. Here are five potential waiver deadline candidates for contenders to look at as we further push towards the postseason.
Chase Utley, 2B (Philadelphia Phillies)
Utley has been a good soldier for the Phillies franchise for quite some time. Lately though, he’s battled injuries and his contract looks that much worse on the books of a team desperate to get younger. Utley is currently on the disabled list, but the 36 year old looks like he is at his healthiest of the season. He’s persevered through a cornucopia of ailments throughout 2015 and has put forth his worst effort as a professional because of it. Still, he is an intriguing waiver candidate because he is a potential free agent at season’s end. He could be a bargain rental in August, but if his production takes an upward spike following a move, the team would have an interesting club option (between $5M-$11M based on days on DL) to work with since Utley’s $15M/500 PA vesting option won’t come close to being touched. An American League team like the Angels or Yankees, who are currently trotting out Johnny Giavotella and Stephen Drew respectively, could use a second baseman of Utley’s caliber. Both teams would also have no problem taking all of Utley’s salary in the process, a main sticking point for Phillies GM Ruben Amaro.
Mike Napoli, 1B (Boston Red Sox)
The Red Sox have thrown in the towel on 2015. They traded Shane Victorino at the trading deadline and have feverishly tried to move the contracts of offseason additions Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval. Another man that the Sox have been equally as unable to move has been first baseman Mike Napoli. Like Utley, Napoli is a free agent as season’s end with a postseason pedigree. Also like Utley, Napoli has had a miserable 2015. His numbers have taken an uptick as of late with 3 home runs and 9 RBI in his last 12 games. He would be a good fit in either league for a team in need of some middle of the lineup pop. The Mets could use the power, but probably won’t tamper with a good thing as Lucas Duda is currently on fire. Pittsburgh was another potential destination but they acquired a similar feast or famine guy in Mike Morse at the deadline. Minnesota would be a good fit as Napoli could spell Joe Mauer at first as well as relieve some of the DH burden from young Miguel Sano. He would bring a certain swagger to the team as well who have come from out of nowhere to be Wild Card contenders and have shown they are in to win this year.
EDIT: TRADED TO RANGERS ON 8/7 FOR PTBNL (OR CASH)
Craig Kimbrel/James Shields, RP/SP (San Diego Padres)
The Padres stole all the headlines this offseason with their flurry of trades and aggressive free agent pursuits. They stayed in the forefront for all the wrong reasons over the course of 2015 as the majority of those moves have not panned out. Many believed that a San Diego firesale would be imminent as July 31st loomed, but alas that never happened. August could be the month where those rumors finally come to fruition. Craig Kimbrel and James Shields have the most value of any player that would potentially be moved in August. Kimbrel is still a frontline closer and Shields is a top of the rotation starter, even an ace on several teams. Toronto could be in the market for one or both. They’ve pushed all their chips to the middle with the Tulowitzki and Price deals and would have to give up substantially less prospect-wise (but more money) to get either Padre arm. Shields would further stretch the rotation and was in the World Series just a year ago. Kimbrel would solidify a closer role that has been in a state of flux since Opening Day. Other potential landing spots for Kimbrel would be the Mets and Giants. Shields could also have other suitors in the Yankees and Orioles.
Jeff Samardzija, SP (Chicago White Sox)
Many were surprised to see Jeff Samardzija in a White Sox uniform after July 31st. He is a free agent at season’s end and White Sox GM Rick Hahn was anything but cloak and dagger about his intentions to trade the right hander. Chicago wasn’t able to swing a deal in July, but could definitely finagle a move in August. He is relatively cheap for a number two or three starter, depending on the team, and Chicago would probably be flexible on the return based on the amount of salary absorbed by their trade partner. Every contender in the American and National Leagues would be foolish to not inquire about that price tag. The best fit for him would be a team that could put him lower in the rotation though, like the Dodgers or Cardinals. He is a talent, but showed last year with Oakland that the pressure of a postseason push is something he is ill-equipped to handle from the front of the staff.
Any other player you think could be moved? Do you want your team to take on any of the above players as they venture towards October glory? Let us know in the comments and on Twitter @sportsftb.