MLB: Five possible August waiver trade candidates

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The passing of the trade deadline doesn’t mean GMs will put their phones down anytime soon. Here are some players who could be moved in waiver deals this month.

Well, another MLB trade deadline has come and gone. After weeks of rumors and speculation that gradually reached a fever pitch on the afternoon of July 31, we can all sit back, relax and enjoy the final two months of the regular season, right? Not exactly.

It’s almost become a cliche in the baseball media, but just because the calendar turns to August, it doesn’t mean the wheeling and dealing is finished. Teams can still move players as long as they pass through waivers. If you’re unfamiliar with the process, here’s a basic breakdown.

Beginning in August, a player has to be placed on revocable waivers in order to be traded. Every team in the league gets a chance to claim a player who has been put on waivers. If claimed, the club that posted the player can work out a trade with the claiming team, let the claiming team simply take the player and their remaining contract, or pull the player back and keep them.

Typically, players with sizable outstanding salaries clear waivers easily and are likely candidates for August trades, as teams don’t want to risk claiming them and being stuck with their contracts. While teams can make waiver trades through the end of the regular season, any player has to be with a club by August 31 to be eligible for the postseason, making that date something of a deadline in its own right.

While we probably won’t see a repeat of the August 2012 blockbuster that sent Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and Josh Beckett from the Red Sox to the Dodgers, there have been many notable players to switch teams after the traditional non-waiver trade deadline. Which players might still be on the move this season? Let’s take a look.

Next: Bruce, There It Is

Jay Bruce, New York Mets

Jay Bruce became a trade possibility as soon as the Mets picked up his option for 2017, but we surprisingly didn’t hear much of any chatter involving him leading up to the deadline. While his salary ($13 million, with about $4.3 million remaining) was likely an obstacle, the outfielder has enjoyed a rebound season after struggling with the Mets last year following his trade from Cincinnati.

Bruce has always brought plenty of power to the plate, averaging 27 home runs per year over his first nine big league seasons. That hasn’t changed in 2017: The 30-year-old has clubbed 28 homers so far, good for sixth-most in the majors. He is also slashing .265/.328/.534 with 74 RBI in 98 games.

While he has the reputation of a poor defender, Bruce has actually rated positively in right field this season with six defensive runs saved (DRS) and a 4.6 UZR/150. Nevertheless, an American League team that could stick him at DH would likely be interested in adding his powerful bat to its lineup.

With the Mets’ playoff hopes all but dead and Bruce an impending free agent, it makes sense for them to try to get something for him. His former teammate Lucas Duda has already made an impact for the Rays, and Bruce could do the same somewhere else. For a contender looking for some legitimate pop, Bruce might be as good an option as you’ll be able to find this month.

Other Mets including Curtis Granderson and Asdrubal Cabrera could also be candidates to move over the next few weeks.

Next: Erves of Steel

Ervin Santana, Minnesota Twins

Ervin Santana has cooled off considerably after his torrid start to the 2017 season, but he should still hold appeal for teams looking to add another starter down the stretch. The right-hander owns a 3.37 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 2.21 K/BB ratio in 136.1 innings this year, leading a Twins club that looked like a surprise contender until a recent slide.

Santana posted a 1.75 ERA through May, but since then he has managed a concerning 5.46 mark. The 34-year-old was likely never going to outpitch his peripherals for the entire season, but he still brings value as a solid middle-of-the-rotation arm that can give you innings. Santana has put up an ERA+ over 100 in five of the last seven seasons and has averaged 189 innings over that span.

The veteran is under contract for $13.5 million in 2018 and has a $1 million buyout on a $14 million option the following year. Minnesota might be willing to help out a bit in that regard, but you could certainly do worse with that kind of money for a starting pitcher. There were several contending teams that missed out on needed rotation help at Monday’s deadline. Perhaps the Astros or Brewers would be interested in shoring up the middle of their staff with someone like Santana.

Next: Allons-y

Yonder Alonso, Oakland A’s

Just weeks ago, it seemed almost a certainty that the A’s would deal first baseman Yonder Alonso. As a free-agent-to-be coming off a career first half, the timing felt perfect. At one point he was even rumored to be packaged with Sonny Gray in trade talks with the Yankees. The right-hander, of course, went to New York alone.

However, interest in Alonso likely waned as he continued to struggle after his amazing start. The 30-year-old was slashing .314 /.399/.663 with 16 home runs and 36 RBI through 53 games at the beginning of action on June 11. For a player who had managed only 39 long balls over his first seven major league seasons, that was fairly remarkable and unexpected.

But Alonso has hit just .212/.331/.377 with six homers and 13 RBI in 44 games since then. He now looks more like a flash in the pan than a genuine late bloomer. Nevertheless, Alonso could still be attractive to another team in the right situation. He’s hitting righties (.287/.389/.562) far better than lefties (.188/.278/.406) this season and would be a viable platoon option. A change of scenery into a playoff race might also rekindle his homer-happy ways.

Both Alonso and Oakland have publicly floated the idea of a contract extension, and his slump might be putting him back within the team’s price range. But if Billy Beane can get something for him this month, even something small, he’ll have to consider it. Speedster Rajai Davis could be another Oakland waiver trade candidate.

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Carlos Gomez, Texas Rangers

Carlos Gomez looked lost with the Astros last year, batting .210 with five homers in 85 games until his release in August. The Rangers picked him up and he seemed rejuvenated, slashing .284/.362/.543 with eight round-trippers and 24 RBI in 33 games down the stretch.

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This season, Gomez has come back down to earth a bit, but he’s still putting up decent numbers. The 31-year-old outfielder sports a .252/.333/.464 batting line with 14 home runs and 39 RBI in 76 contests. He’s a free agent at season’s end and only due what’s left of his $11.5 million salary, which Texas might be willing to eat some of. After waving the white flag by trading Yu Darvish and Jonathan Lucroy, there’s no reason for the Rangers not to remain open for business in the coming weeks.

Teammate Mike Napoli could also be a waiver trade possibility. While he hasn’t replicated last year’s success, the veteran slugger has still knocked 22 homers and driven in 48 runs over 90 games. And, of course, he’s more than playoff-tested. Contenders seeking an experienced bat with some pop would do well to take a look at the Rangers this month. The Mariners and Brewers might be potential fits.

Next: Landing Verlander

Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers

It seemed like a long shot that Justin Verlander would be traded before the non-waiver deadline, and the chances he’ll be moved in August still feel remote. But crazier things have happened, and the Detroit Tigers right-hander will continue to be a hot topic of discussion for the foreseeable future.

Verlander’s credentials – a Rookie of the Year, Cy Young and MVP Award – don’t require much introduction. After just missing out on his second Cy last season, the 34-year-old hasn’t been nearly as effective in 2017. Verlander sports a 4.29 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 2.10 K/BB in 130 innings. However, he’s managed a 2.25 ERA over his last five starts and has traditionally been more of a second-half pitcher.

The righty is due to earn $56 million over the next two seasons, making him a good bet to clear waivers. He has a $22 million option that vests in 2020 if he finishes in the top five in Cy Young voting the previous year. Anything can happen, but that doesn’t feel particularly likely at the moment.

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Verlander would be an addition that could help beyond just the immediate season, but given his age and inconsistent performance this year, it’s worth questioning just how good he’ll be over the next two campaigns. That said, his name will always carry a lot of weight. With Lance McCullers freshly placed on the DL, do the Astros take a bold leap and go after him?

Even if the Tigers don’t trade Verlander this month, it will be interesting to see what they do with him and their other expensive veterans during the winter.

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