Understanding August Waiver Trades

The July 31st trading deadline has come and gone but that does not mean team's are done making traded. Trades can be done for the rest of the season they are just a little trickier and harder to understand. That's why we're here, you're welcome.

Any player that is traded needs to clear revocable waivers first. Either the player is claimed by a team or he clears waivers. Teams want their players to clear waivers because once they clear once they can be traded to any team for the rest of the season. If the player is claimed the team has three options, they can pull their player back, work out a trade with the team who claimed him, or simply give the player and his contract away to the team that claimed him.

The waiver claim period lasts 47 hours and goes by worst record to best record in the players league (American or National) and then record worst to first in the other league. Teams can block other teams from claiming without any repercussions. When a player is claimed the team has two full days to trade the player or pull him back off waivers regardless of what day of the week it is.

A team can place their player on waivers a second time if they pull him back the first time but this time the waivers are not revocable. In terms even a Boston Red Sox fan could understand the second time around whoever claims him gets him. Players on the disabled list cannot be placed on waivers so therefor cannot be traded.

Finally, for all the playoff teams, any player acquired after the 31st of August is not eligible for the postseason. Now you know, carry on.

So it Seems Trading Just Got a Whole Lot More Complicated

So the July 31^st trading deadline has come and gone and so it seems that trading just got a whole lot more complicated here in Major League Baseball. For those who don’t know or don’t fully understand the waiver-wire trade deadline that happens from August 1 – August 31 I will try and give you the Readers Digest version of things. Here is the explanation according to Wikipedia:

“Any player under contract may be placed on waivers ("waived") at any time. After MLB's August 1 at 4 pm trade deadline and through to the end of the season, a team must place a player on waivers if that player is to be traded.

If a player is waived, any team may claim him. If more than one team claims the player from waivers, the team with the weakest record in the player's league gets preference. If no team in the player's league claims him, the claiming team with the weakest record in the other league gets preference. In the first month of the season, preference is determined using the previous year's standings.

If a team claims a player off waivers and has a viable claim as described above, his current team (the "waiving team") may choose one of the following options:

·         arrange a trade with the claiming team for that player within two business days of the claim; or

·         rescind the request and keep the player on its major league roster, effectively canceling the waiver; or

·         do nothing and allow the claiming team to assume the player's existing contract, pay the waiving team a waiver fee, and place the player on its active major league roster.

If a player is claimed and the waiving team exercises its rescission option, the waiving team may not use the option again for that player in that season—a subsequent waiver would be irrevocable with a claiming team getting the player essentially for nothing. If no team claims a player off waivers after three business days, the player has cleared waivers and may be assigned to a minor league team, traded (to any team), or released outright.

The waiver "wire" is a secret within the personnel of the Major League Baseball clubs; no official announcement of a waiver is made until a transaction actually occurs, although information sometimes leaks out. Players are often waived during the post-July "waiver-required" trading period for teams to gauge trade interest in a particular player. Usually, when the player is claimed, the waiving team will rescind the waiver to avoid losing the player unless a trade can be worked out with the claiming team.

The National League (NL) was the first of the two major leagues to adopt the trade deadline rule in 1917. Originally it was enforced after June 15, but was later changed as the result of a new collective bargaining agreement. For many years, players could not be traded from one league to another without being waived by all of the teams in the trading team's league. Then an inter-league trading period was established, centered on the winter baseball meetings in December. Later, there were two "inter-league" trading periods each year, one from after the World Series until mid-December and the second from a week before spring training began until March 15. So intent were leagues on keeping their stars from being moved from one league to the other, that then–National League President Warren Giles threatened to keep NL clubs from trading major stars to the American League after the deal that sent Frank Robinson from Cincinnati to Baltimore.”

Confused yet? Basically all that is saying is that if a team wants to trade a player to any team of their choosing they have to first pass them through waivers. If the player passes through waivers he can be traded to all 29 other MLB teams. If he is claimed on waivers he can be pulled back once and then put back on waivers, although the second time around the player who was placed on waivers cannot be pulled back and will have to be traded. The first time around teams will claim any and all players if they feel like they can help or if they feel like they can block another team from getting them. It’s a cat and mouse game and honestly not much tends to go on here. There have been a few notable August trades though and we will cover those throughout the course of the month I’m sure.

So now you’re all caught up. Have a great Tuesday everyone! Especially you my Kari Ann. You have the very best Tuesday. I love you. HEY YOU!

Understanding August Waiver Trades

The August 1st trading deadline has come and gone but that does not mean team's are done making trades. Trades can be done for the rest of the season but they are just a little trickier and harder to understand. That's why we're here, you're welcome.

Any player that is traded needs to clear revocable waivers first which results in either the player being claimed by a team or he clears waivers. Teams want their players to clear waivers because once they clear once they can be traded to any team for the rest of the season. If the player is claimed the team has three options, they can pull their player back, work out a trade with the team who claimed him, or simply give the player and his contract away to the team that claimed him.

The waiver claim period lasts 47 hours and goes by worst record to best record in the players league (American or National) and then record worst to first in the other league. Teams can block other teams from claiming without any repercussions. When a player is claimed the team has two full days to trade the player or pull him back off waivers regardless of what day of the week it is.

A team can place their player on waivers a second time if they pull him back the first time but this time the waivers are not revocable. In terms even a Boston Red Sox fan could understand the second time around whoever claims him gets him. Players on the disabled list cannot be placed on waivers so therefor cannot be traded.

Finally, for all the playoff teams, any player acquired after the 31st of August is not eligible for the postseason. Now you know, carry on.

Most Popular Article of the Week: Should The Yankees Go After James Shields?

By Bryan Van Dusen:

While it's true that the Yankees don't have the best starting rotation in baseball, it's also true that they don't have the worst.

Everybody cheer for us not being the worst!

In fact, in terms of fWAR, the Yankees' starters are 6th in the American League. While being 6th in the league isn't great, allow me to point out that four of the teams in front of them are not going to the postseason. The Chicago White Sox starters have the highest fWAR, but their team is currently 4th in the AL Central. The Oakland Athletics are 2nd, but are currently in last place in the AL West. The Cleveland Indians are next, but are cellar-dwellers in the AL Central. And finally there are the Tampa Bay Rays with the 5th best fWAR in the AL, who are currently in 4th place in the AL East.


The only team whose starters have a higher fWAR, and who are likely headed to the postseason, are the Houston Astros. Fortunately, the Yankees have a better bullpen and a better offense, so Houston does not frighten me.


Speaking of bullpens, the Yankees have the best bullpen in baseball. A bullpen that includes two pitchers with a sub-2.00 ERA (Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller), another guy with an ERA barely over 2.00 (Chasen Shreve - 2.06), and a fourth pitcher whose ERA is a very respectable 2.43 (Justin Wilson). That means that as long as the Yankee starters give the team a good five innings, the game is definitely winnable.


Heck, I didn't even mention that Adam Warren and Bryan Mitchell are also currently in the bullpen, where they can give the Yankees three or more strong innings of work.


Basically, another starter is not necessary.


Which brings me to James Shields.

"What's UUUUUUP!?"

The Yankees do not need James Shields. That's all that has to be said about it, but I'm sure you won't be surprised to find out that I'm not leaving it at that.


First of all, there's the fact that Shields is walking more batters this year than he ever has. His career walk percentage is 5.9%, but this season that number is 8.1%.


Secondly, James is giving up a lot of home runs. His home run percentage of 3.9% is higher than it's ever been in his career. And if you think the majority of the homers against him have happened away from spacious Petco Park, you'd be wrong. He's given up 13 home runs in just 11 starts at Petco, while giving up 11 home runs in 13 starts on the road. Oh, and more home runs are hit at Yankee Stadium. Not a good omen.


My biggest issue is his contract, which runs through 2018 for another $63 million (not including the $2 million buyout of his team option 2019 season). If the Yankees have to pay a third starter over $20 million, then chances are they wouldn't be willing to go after somebody like David Price in free agency, as he would make it four starters earning $20+ million next season.


Now, I'm not going to ignore the opt-out clause in Shields' contract, which he can trigger after next season. While he's already 33, I don't think it would be hard for a guy with his consistency (he's made at least 33 starts in each of the past seven seasons, and has 24 already this season) to get a contract of at least four years and $16 million per. That means he would be guaranteed a million more dollars than he's already getting paid, plus another year. And that's a modest estimate.


So while it's exciting to think about the Yankees adding another solid piece to the rotation, when you actually sit back and think about acquiring James Shields you'll realize that it's not worth it.

Should The Yankees Go After James Shields?

While it's true that the Yankees don't have the best starting rotation in baseball, it's also true that they don't have the worst. 

Everybody cheer for us not being the worst!

In fact, in terms of fWAR, the Yankees' starters are 6th in the American League. While being 6th in the league isn't great, allow me to point out that four of the teams in front of them are not going to the postseason. The Chicago White Sox starters have the highest fWAR, but their team is currently 4th in the AL Central. The Oakland Athletics are 2nd, but are currently in last place in the AL West. The Cleveland Indians are next, but are cellar-dwellers in the AL Central. And finally there are the Tampa Bay Rays with the 5th best fWAR in the AL, who are currently in 4th place in the AL East.

The only team whose starters have a higher fWAR, and who are likely headed to the postseason, are the Houston Astros. Fortunately, the Yankees have a better bullpen and a better offense, so Houston does not frighten me.

Speaking of bullpens, the Yankees have the best bullpen in baseball. A bullpen that includes two pitchers with a sub-2.00 ERA (Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller), another guy with an ERA barely over 2.00 (Chasen Shreve - 2.06), and a fourth pitcher whose ERA is a very respectable 2.43 (Justin Wilson). That means that as long as the Yankee starters give the team a good five innings, the game is definitely winnable. 

Heck, I didn't even mention that Adam Warren and Bryan Mitchell are also currently in the bullpen, where they can give the Yankees three or more strong innings of work. 

Basically, another starter is not necessary.

Which brings me to James Shields.

"What's UUUUUUP!?"

The Yankees do not need James Shields. That's all that has to be said about it, but I'm sure you won't be surprised to find out that I'm not leaving it at that.

First of all, there's the fact that Shields is walking more batters this year than he ever has. His career walk percentage is 5.9%, but this season that number is 8.1%. 

Secondly, James is giving up a lot of home runs. His home run percentage of 3.9% is higher than it's ever been in his career. And if you think the majority of the homers against him have happened away from spacious Petco Park, you'd be wrong. He's given up 13 home runs in just 11 starts at Petco, while giving up 11 home runs in 13 starts on the road. Oh, and more home runs are hit at Yankee Stadium. Not a good omen.

My biggest issue is his contract, which runs through 2018 for another $63 million (not including the $2 million buyout of his team option 2019 season). If the Yankees have to pay a third starter over $20 million, then chances are they wouldn't be willing to go after somebody like David Price in free agency, as he would make it four starters earning $20+ million next season.

Now, I'm not going to ignore the opt-out clause in Shields' contract, which he can trigger after next season. While he's already 33, I don't think it would be hard for a guy with his consistency (he's made at least 33 starts in each of the past seven seasons, and has 24 already this season) to get a contract of at least four years and $16 million per. That means he would be guaranteed a million more dollars than he's already getting paid, plus another year. And that's a modest estimate.

So while it's exciting to think about the Yankees adding another solid piece to the rotation, when you actually sit back and think about acquiring James Shields you'll realize that it's not worth it.

Chase Utley Clears Waivers

Sources: Utley cleared waivers. Can be traded to any club. Has right to veto any deal as player with 10 years service, five with same team.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 11, 2015

I was on the Vinny Brown Radio Show earlier today, and part of our discussion revolved around Chase Utley. The question posed was "should the Yankees deal for Utley?"

I said they shouldn't, because while the duo of Stephen Drew and Brendan Ryan are far from "good", Chase Utley is having a horrible season (.190/.262/.294) and wouldn't help. The fact is that Drew and Ryan are there for their defense, and that is going just fine. As much as we'd like to see a better hitter at second base, there's a chance that Utley could be worse.

However, Vinny made a good point about how different environments can change a player for the better. At one time Chase was one of, if not the best second baseman in the league. The guy knows how to play at an elite level. Will his body allow him to do that, or somewhat close to it, today? I doubt it, but I also think he can play better than he has.

Face it, playing for a contender in New York can certainly get the juices flowing. We've seen it before, like with Alfonso Soriano in 2013 or Ichiro Suzuki in 2012.

So if the Yankees can acquire Utley for little to nothing, then I say "go for it". Especially if they avoid those vesting options for 2016 through 2018.

Understanding August Waiver Trades

The July 31st trading deadline has come and gone but that does not mean team's are done making trades. Trades can be done for the rest of the season but they are just a little trickier and harder to understand. That's why we're here, you're welcome.

Any player that is traded needs to clear revocable waivers first which results in either the player being claimed by a team or he clears waivers. Teams want their players to clear waivers because once they clear once they can be traded to any team for the rest of the season. If the player is claimed the team has three options, they can pull their player back, work out a trade with the team who claimed him, or simply give the player and his contract away to the team that claimed him.

The waiver claim period lasts 47 hours and goes by worst record to best record in the players league (American or National) and then record worst to first in the other league. Teams can block other teams from claiming without any repercussions. When a player is claimed the team has two full days to trade the player or pull him back off waivers regardless of what day of the week it is.

A team can place their player on waivers a second time if they pull him back the first time but this time the waivers are not revocable. In terms even a Boston Red Sox fan could understand the second time around whoever claims him gets him. Players on the disabled list cannot be placed on waivers so therefor cannot be traded.

Finally, for all the playoff teams, any player acquired after the 31st of August is not eligible for the postseason. Now you know, carry on.

The August No Trade Deadline

This may come across as a bit of a rant, probably because it is a bit of a rant, but know that it was never intended to be a rant. I am happy with the winning recently, the tough at bats, the never say die attitude, the clutch pitching, and the even more clutch hitting. What I am not happy with is how Brian Cashman and company continues to sit on their hands and do nothing, nothing worth reporting on anyway.  I am calling this the August revocable waivers NO trade deadline.

Maybe I am a bit spoiled by the July 31^st trading deadline that brought to the team Martin Prado, Stephen Drew, Brandon McCarthy, Chase Headley, and Chris Capuano and I can admit that but still. Prado has come along recently, Headley has been solid, McCarthy has been a totally different pitcher in pinstripes, Capuano (as much as I want to hate him for some reason) has been solid and is keeping Masahiro Tanaka’s roster spot warm, and Stephen Drew has been the Boston Red Sox version, just worse, of Stephen Drew. I find it hard to believe that the Yankees cannot find any upgrades on the trading market right now.

I really find it hard to believe that the Yankees cannot find a better hitting second baseman without sacrificing too much on the defensive side. I especially find it hard to believe when you consider we have a prospect in the minor leagues in Robert Refsnyder whose bat is making it nearly impossible NOT to call him up. I find it hard to believe that we still don’t have a real backup first baseman option, although Headley has filled in admirably recently, with Kyle Roller still sitting in Scranton. I find it hard to believe that Ichiro Suzuki is still our best option out in right field when Carlos Beltran cannot play the field due to his barking elbow. I find it hard to believe that Matt Thornton was let go and we had this prospect and that prospect’s name shoved down our throat only to STILL have Rich Hill on the roster.

I have no issue with standing pat in the rotation the next six days with David Phelps and Tanaka on their way back but not in the bullpen. Where’s Jacob Lindgren? I continue to read about so many players being put on waivers, equally as many players clearing waivers, the Yankees own players clearing waivers, and yet I don’t read about any rumors, discussions, or even failed discussions. Either Brian Cashman knows something that I don’t or he doesn’t feel the need to work for his job. I know he is supposedly "claiming everybody" but that and two bucks will get you a coke. 

Brendan Ryan and Ichiro Suzuki Get Placed On Waivers

The New York Yankees have placed both Brendan Ryan and Ichiro Suzuki on revocable waivers today. Neither player is killing the baseball but still have some value in the field and on the base paths so one or both could be claimed. If one or both were claimed you have to wonder if the Yankees would pull a Matt Thornton and give them to the team that claimed them. One can hope I guess.

Ichiro is batting .276/.324/.321 in his age 40 season while Ryan is batting .214/.263/.257 in his age 32 season.

Phillies Byrd & Hamels Claimed, Papelbon Clears

Marlon Byrd and Cole Hamels have been claimed on revocable waivers and Jonathan Papelbon has cleared waivers. The Phillies have 48.5 hours to work out deals for Byrd and Hamels with the teams that claimed them. They can always give the players to the claiming teams for the contract or pull the players back. Papelbon can be traded to any team for the remainder of the season.

Just as a reminder Hamels has the Red Sox, Angels, Nationals, Dodgers, Cardinals, Braves, Yankees, Padres, and Rangers on his no trade list. Byrd can block deals to the Royals, Mariners, Blue Jays, and Rays. Papelbon also has a limited no trade clause but has stated he is more than willing to waive it to play with a contender this season and next.

Hamels is owed $90 million through the 2018 season. Byrd is owed $8 million for the 2015 season and has an easily attainable vesting option for 2016 also for $8 million. Papelbon is owed $13 million in 2015 and also has an easily attainable vesting option for 2016 as well.

It's unclear whether the Yankees claimed either of these players or if they would be interested in Papelbon but I guess we will find out in a couple days. Just as a reminder the National League gets first dibs on the claiming order in reverse order according to worst record to best before the American League gets a shot so I find it unlikely that New York claimed Hamels, but maybe Byrd fell to them. Either way, stay tuned.

Gardner, Drew, and Prado Clear Revocable Waivers

Brett Gardner, Stephen Drew, and Martin Prado have cleared revocable waivers and are able to be traded to any team for the rest of the season. It's merely a procedural move to place players on waivers in August but this interesting if the Yankees fall out of the race that they could at least unload Prado or Drew. Last season the Yankees waited too long after falling out of the race and were stuck with ace Hiroki Kuroda and Robinson Cano specifically.

Speaking of waivers the Yankees made a run at Texas' outfielder Alex Rios and learned the news today that Rios was placed on revocable waivers. The Yankees could either claim him and try to work out a trade, or take on his salary, or they could wait and hope for him to clear waivers and try to work a trade out.

The Los Angeles Dodgers were able to sneak Matt Kemp, Carl Crawford, Josh Beckett, and Andre Ethier through waivers as well and can trade them anywhere is the Yankees are interested.

Understanding August Waiver Trades

The July 31st trading deadline has come and gone but that does not mean team's are done making traded. Trades can be done for the rest of the season they are just a little trickier and harder to understand. That's why we're here, you're welcome.

Any player that is traded needs to clear revocable waivers first. Either the player is claimed by a team or he clears waivers. Teams want their players to clear waivers because once they clear once they can be traded to any team for the rest of the season. If the player is claimed the team has three options, they can pull their player back, work out a trade with the team who claimed him, or simply give the player and his contract away to the team that claimed him.

The waiver claim period lasts 47 hours and goes by worst record to best record in the players league (American or National) and then record worst to first in the other league. Teams can block other teams from claiming without any repercussions. When a player is claimed the team has two full days to trade the player or pull him back off waivers regardless of what day of the week it is.

A team can place their player on waivers a second time if they pull him back the first time but this time the waivers are not revocable. In terms even a Boston Red Sox fan could understand the second time around whoever claims him gets him. Players on the disabled list cannot be placed on waivers so therefor cannot be traded.

Finally, for all the playoff teams, any player acquired after the 31st of August is not eligible for the postseason. Now you know, carry on.

Chase Headley Finally Placed On Waivers

Chase Headley has finally been placed on waivers by the San Diego Padres, will the Yankees claim him? I cannot see a scenario where they don't claim Headley and try to work out a deal with him if he gets down that far. I know the Yankees just signed Mark Reynolds but for the $200,000 we owe him for the rest of the season we can easily release him and make the trade for Headley.

Headley has failed to live up to the huge 2012 season he had putting up a batting line of .237/.328/.368 in his age 29 season. Headley is owed a little less than $2,000,000 for this season and will enter his final year of arbitration next year. Headley expects to be right at or a little above $10,000,000 for the 2014 season but the Yankees will presumably have a glaring hole at third base next season with Alex Rodriguez suspended so this kind of works perfectly for us. Headley would be a free agent after the 2014 season so the Padres are expected to ask a ton of Headley by any team that may claim him.

At the end of the day I can't see Headley on the Yankees this season or before the trading deadline in the 2014 season but it's nice to dream, isn't it?

Brent Lillibridge Clears Waivers & Is Outrighted To AAA

Brent Lillibridge has cleared waivers after being designated for assignment to make room for Alex Rodriguez and has been outrighted to AAA. Lillibridge will join a talented Scranton Wilkes Barre Railriders team with former teammate Alberto Gonzalez.

Reid Brignac Designated For Assignment, Gonzalez Up

The day that has been long overdue has finally come as the Yankees have finally designated Reid Brignac for assignment. In a corresponding move the Yankees have also brought Alberto Gonzalez back up to the major leagues to take his spot essentially. Brignac is a wonder with the glove but so is Alberto Gonzalez and Gonzalez has more flexibility and versatility in my eyes. Also Gonzalez is a right handed batter and is a marginal upgrade offensively over Brignac and the Yankees definitely need offense right now. What is amazing is that Gonzalez is a career .242 hitter and he is being called an "upgrade" offensively over what we currently have... yeah... the offense has been that bad. I fully expect Reid to clear waivers so the possibility remains that he can be sent to AAA to Scranton to essentially be swapped with Alberto.