MLB Rumors: Three teams that need to be active with waiver claims
There are many teams that still need to improve in order to either earn a spot in the postseason or keep a spot in the postseason racing through MLB rumors this time of year. Here are three of those teams.
As of MLB.com’s August 6th standings, in the American League, the Boston Red Sox lead the AL East, the Cleveland Indians lead the AL Central, and the Houston Astros lead the AL West. The New York Yankees are the top Wild Card team and the Oakland Athletics are the second Wild Card team.
The Seattle Mariners are the only AL team currently out of the playoffs within 2.0 games back of a playoff spot in the Wild Card. The Minnesota Twins are the second closest to a playoff spot, but they are 10.0 games behind in the AL Central.
In the National League, the Philadelphia Phillies lead the NL East, the Chicago Cubs lead the NL Central, and the Arizona Diamondbacks lead the NL West. The Milwaukee Brewers are the top Wild Card team and the Atlanta Braves are the second Wild Card team.
The NL has a lot more teams within 10.0 games back of a playoff spot. In the Wild Card, the Los Angeles Dodgers are 0.5 games back and the Colorado Rockies are 2.0 games back. The Washington Nationals, St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates, and San Francisco Giants are all within 6.0 games back of a playoff spot.
Some teams are closer in their division than the Wild Card and some are closer in the Wild Card than the division. As many teams need to improve in order to move into the postseason or keep their postseason spots, here are three teams that could use the waiver wire to their advantage.
The Seattle Mariners have not been to the postseason since 2001. They are currently 2.0 games behind the Oakland Athletics for a Wild Card spot and 6.5 games behind the Houston Astros for the lead in the AL West.
Although the Seattle Mariners have made many moves to improve their team, additional improvements could still be made in order to help the team reach the postseason for the first time in a long time.
Robinson Cano will return to the Mariners lineup as a first baseman and Dee Gordon will remain at second base. As Gordon was the opening day starting center fielder, Seattle could use additional help in the outfield.
The Mariners outfield currently ranks 25th in the MLB in slugging percentage with a .384 average. For comparison, their division-mate Athletics are 13th at .415 and the Astros are 15th at .405. There are no current playoff teams below the Mariners in this statistic.
Due to this, the Mariners need to look into options to increase their slugging percentage in the outfield without sacrificing on-base percentage. Players such as Andrew McCutchen and Curtis Granderson would improve their slugging percentage and maintain their on-base percentage as both currently hold a higher on-base percentage than the Mariners outfield average of .330.
McCutchen and Granderson are both free agents following this season, so they would be a minimal risk for the Mariners if they are placed on waivers and the M’s are able to claim them.
As both players slugging percentages are way above the Mariners .384 outfield average, they could help Seattle close the gap on the New York Yankees, Athletics, and Astros to help them find a spot in the postseason.
The St. Louis Cardinals have missed out on the postseason in each of the last two seasons. Despite being 7.5 games behind the Chicago Cubs, they are only 4.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves for the second Wild Card Spot.
With Dexter Fowler landing on the disabled list due to a fractured foot, the St. Louis Cardinals could use some help in the outfield. Similar to the Mariners, the Cardinals outfield ranks poorly in the slugging percentage category, even with Fowler healthy.
They are 26th in the MLB with a .378 slugging percentage from their outfielders this season. They are also 23rd in the MLB with a .314 on-base percentage from their outfielders on the year.
The advantage the Cardinals have at the moment is their position ahead of other teams on the waiver wire. Teams with a lower record in the standings have a priority on waiver claims. Due to this, if players such as Granderson and McCutchen are indeed placed on waivers, they could be claimed by the Cardinals over other playoff teams.
Although the Cardinals could use improvements in the outfield, they also rank poorly at second base compared to other MLB teams at that position. The Cardinals second base position currently ranks 14th in the MLB with a .314 on-base percentage and 25th in the MLB with a .358 slugging percentage.
Due to this, Yongervis Solarte and Starlin Castro could be potential options in the infield for the Cardinals.
Although Solarte only holds a .285 on-base percentage this season, he does hold a .401 slugging percentage. Over his career, he averages a .320 on-base percentage and a .415 slugging percentage. Solarte has two team options left at reasonable rates with a $750,000 buyout on each. He has played third base, second base, shortstop, and first base this season, so he would also add versatility on defense.
On the other hand, Castro holds a .334 on-base percentage and a .399 slugging percentage this season. Over his career, he holds a .321 on-base percentage and a .412 slugging percentage. Castro has two years left on his contract, but the second year is a team option with a $1 million buyout.
As both players would provide offensive value to this Cardinals team, it will be interesting to see if the organization will be in play for either one as they make a push towards the postseason.
Following a season-long five-game losing streak, the New York Yankees are now 9.0 games behind the Boston Red Sox in the AL East. Although they once held a large Wild Card lead, the Athletics are only 3.0 games back and the Seattle Mariners are 5.0 games back.
Although the New York Yankees have a very talented team, they have some holes that need to be addressed in order to hold onto a playoff spot. The AL East is not completely out of the question, but the Boston Red Sox are currently not showing any signs of slowing down, even with Chris Sale on the disabled list.
Due to this, the Yankees need to ensure they do not lose out on home field advantage in the Wild Card game. The crowd in the 2017 Wild Card game helped propel the Yankees to a comeback against the Minnesota Twins to advance to the ALDS.
Although the Yankees would love to further upgrade their pitching staff, waiver claims will be difficult as the Houston Astros and Red Sox are the only teams behind them in the waiver claim order. Because of this, it makes sense to focus on strengthening their infield defense.
With Aaron Judge on the disabled list, the Yankees can use Brett Gardner, Aaron Hicks, and Giancarlo Stanton in the outfield from left to right. This would then allow them to place their weakest defender, Miguel Andujar, into the designated hitter role. The Yankees currently rank 30th in the MLB at third base in Revised Zone Rating with a .655 average.
As the Texas Rangers are out of postseason contention and Adrian Beltre is a potential free agent, could the Yankees attempt to acquire the veteran third baseman? Beltre holds a .711 Revised Zone Rating and he provided a .339 on-base percentage with a .389 slugging percentage on offense.
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One other player the Yankees could look at would be Derek Dietrich of the Marlins. Although he only holds a slight upgrade at third base with a .669 Revised Zone Rating this season, his ability to also play first base, second base, and left field could greatly help the Yankees. His .346 on-base percentage and .451 slugging percentage also make him an attractive addition.
Dietrich may pass through waivers if teams do not feel the Marlins will actually trade him. This could give the Yankees the opportunity to work out a trade for a versatile player that could help both this year and next.
Another spot on the infield that could use an upgrade would be at the catcher position as Gary Sanchez does not currently have a return date scheduled. However, it is unlikely a talented player such as J.T. Realmuto will pass through waivers, so a significant upgrade over Austin Romine may not be realistic.
Next. New York Yankees: Issues with Runners in Scoring Position. dark
Although every team could use additional upgrades throughout the course of a season, these three teams would benefit the most from being active throughout the waiver period.