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Despite deadline, trading won't stop

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Tracy Ringolsby

Tracy Ringolsby is a Hall of Fame baseball writer. He is in his 36th year covering Major League Baseball, is a co-founder of Baseball America, and is in his third year as pregame and postgame analyst for Colorado Rockies games on Root Sports.

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Updated Aug 2, 2009 1:55 PM ET
     
 

NEW YORK

On the final day of August in 1990, the Boston Red Sox, desperate for a setup reliever in their bid for a championship, sent a Double-A prospect to the Houston Astros in exchange for pending free-agent right-hander Larry Andersen. So much for the July 31 trading deadline. In baseball, deadlines are made to be ignored. If only the Red Sox could ignore that deal, the one in which it shipped third baseman Jeff Bagwell to Houston. Bagwell was moved to first base during spring training in 1991 and then stepped into the Astros' lineup for a big-league career that could well take him eventually to Cooperstown. What the deadline at 4 p.m., ET on Friday represented was more a hurdle than a deadline. Before that moment, teams can trade players without needing waivers. As of 4:01 p.m., ET on Friday deals can still be made, but first a player has to clear waivers. That certainly creates an obstacle, but it doesn't leave baseball in limbo. August trades usually focus on high-priced contracts teams are looking to unload. More often than not they have little impact, but those prospects who a contender deals can come back to haunt. There have been those moments like 1990 when Bagwell went to Houston, and Aug. 12, 1987, when Detroit, needing a right-handed starter to hang on in the AL East, acquired Doyle Alexander from Atlanta for Double-A prospect John Smoltz. And there was the Aug. 31, 1992 deal in which Oakland sent Jose Canseco to Texas for right-handed pitchers Jeff Russell and Bobby Witt, and outfielder Ruben Sierra. On Aug. 7, 2000, the Yankees claimed Canseco off waivers from Tampa Bay.
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Teams do have to be careful when placing a waiver claim. They could get stuck with an unwanted player. Fearful that Atlanta wanted lefty reliever Randy Myers from Toronto in 1998, San Diego placed a claim on waivers, and was awarded the pitcher, who had two years and $12 million remaining on his contract and a bad shoulder that limited him 14 1/3 innings in the final weeks of 1998, and kept him from pitching at all the final two years of his contract. With that in mind, here are 10 players likely to clear waivers and be available for a contender in need this August:
  • Outfielder Vernon Wells, Toronto: Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi talked about budget problems when he announced that he was going to dangle right-hander Roy Halladay on the trade market. The problem starts with Wells, whose back-loaded contract is no longer team-friendly. Wells is making $12.5 million this year, but has four years and a guaranteed $86 million still due. Ricciardi also has his budget upside down with first baseman Lyle Overbay ($7 million in 2010) and outfielder Alex Rios (five years, $59.7 million for 2010-2013).
  • Third baseman Garrett Atkins, Colorado: He will be non-tendered in the offseason and is making $7.05 million this year. Atkins slumped offensively in the first half of the season, which allowed third baseman of the future Ian Stewart, who has big-time power and Gold Glove defensive abilities, to step in. That has relegated Atkins to a high-priced backup. On the plus side, he is a proven run producer, having driven in 100-plus runs three of the last four seasons. He has no contract obligations beyond this season. And he has gotten serious, again, about getting in shape during his idle time this summer, which could have something to do with an offensive resurgence in recent days. The Rockies are definitely in the NL wild-card race, but also could fill a catching need for another team with Yorvit Torrealba ($500,000 buyout on 2010) to open a backup role for Paul Phillips.
  • Outfielder Adam Dunn, Washington: Yes, he is a big-time home run threat, but if he doesn't hit a home run he is a liability, and a team with a major reconstruction project ahead of it can't afford to waste the $12 million Dunn is due next year. An AL team in need of a DH could do worse than Dunn, who is a clubhouse plus but a defensive minus. The Nationals also figure to have shortstop Cristian Guzman ($8 million in 2010) and outfielder Austin Kearns ($1 million buyout on 2010 option).
  • Outfielder Juan Pierre, Los Angeles Dodgers: Pierre reaffirmed his value during the 50-game suspension of Manny Ramirez, but the Dodgers would like to clear up some of the $18.5 million he is guaranteed over next two years. The Dodgers would have to eat a sizable chunk, but Pierre could be a benefit for a team looking for an offensive catalyst.
  • Outfielder Jose Guillen, Kansas City: Guillen has never fit into the style of manager Trey Hillman. His struggles offensively add to Guillen's problems with the Royals. The question is how much of the $12 million Guillen is owed in 2010 a contender would be willing to eat. The Royals also are liable for $5 million next year to right-handed reliever Kyle Farnsworth, who began a rehab assignment Tuesday. He has been sidelined with a groin injury.
  • Outfielder Gary Matthews, Jr., Los Angeles Angels: The Angels signing of Matthews to the five-year, $50 million deal never made sense (or cents). There are two years and $23 million remaining after this season, which is steep for an extra outfielder. The Angels could pick up half and still save a bundle. Reliever Justin Speier has a year and $5.25 remaining on his contract, a steep price for a setup man but he does have value on a staff, so it's unlikely the Angels would take on any of the money to make a move.
  • RHPs Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo, Cincinnati: They are both workhorses, and both could bring a couple legitimate prospects to an organization that needs to build depth. Neither, however, has the type of results that equate to their salaries — $14.5 million for next year for Harang (5-12, 4.50) and $13 million for Arroyo (10-10, 5.17) — on a team that has a tight budget to balance.
  • DH Pat Burrell, Tampa Bay: The Rays gambled they could find an impact bat, but Burrell hasn't been the answer and has another year at $9 million coming on his two-year contract. They are a contender, but aren't concerned about losing him on a waiver claim if someone tries to get cute and block a possible deal.
  • Shortstop-turned-backup-first baseman Bobby Crosby, Oakland: The former AL Rookie of the Year has faded into background without a future role. With a $5.25 million salary this year, Crosby could create interest, but nobody has interest in Jason Giambi, at the same price.
  • First baseman Aubrey Huff, Baltimore: Huff doesn't the fit long-range plans and the Orioles are looking for ways to supplement their farm system. He has an $8 million salary this year so moving him for the final two months could help the budget a little, too.
    • Tagged: Pat Burrell, Lyle Overbay, Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, Adam Dunn, Kyle Farnsworth, Orioles, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Angels, Royals, Reds, Astros, Yorvit Torrealba, Dodgers, Nationals, Yankees, Juan Pierre, Athletics, Manny Ramirez, Rockies, Aubrey Huff, Rays, Austin Kearns, Jason Giambi, Scott Rolen, Ian Stewart, Roy Halladay, Vernon Wells

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