Not long ago, every August at MLBTR kicked off by reminding longtime MLB fans (or explaining to new fans) how the dizzying rules regarding August trade waivers worked. It was a convoluted process — one that saw nearly every player in the league placed on revocable trade waivers at some point (heavy emphasis on “revocable”) — but one that front offices increasingly used as creative means to pull off significant acquisitions after the supposed “deadline.”
In reality, under the old rules, the first “trade deadline” was never the actual deadline — it just wasn’t as catchy to use the full term, “non-waiver trade deadline.” As time progressed, the month of August increasingly served as a means of swapping out higher-priced talents in waiver trades that were still quite noteworthy. If you’re seeing Justin Verlander, Andrew McCutchen, Josh Donaldson and others change hands in late August, just before the deadline for postseason eligibility — was the non-waiver deadline really a trade “deadline” at all? Not so much.
Back in 2019, Major League Baseball opted to quash the ever-growing process of August roster reconstruction. The league put an end to waiver trades that often served as a means of teams hitting the “eject” button on notable contracts and saw larger-payroll clubs take on those deals simply because they possessed the financial wherewithal to do so. MLB implemented a more concrete “true” trade deadline that prohibited players on Major League contracts — or any who had previously been on Major League contracts earlier in the season (i.e. since-outrighted players) — from being traded after the deadline.
Does that mean teams can no longer acquire new players or address injuries as they arise? No, but their avenues to do so are substantially narrower. Here’s a look at how Major League front offices can still augment their roster now that the “true” trade deadline has passed:
1. Trades!
Wait, what? I thought we just–
Yes, we did. But it turns out that the “true” trade deadline is really only the “true” trade deadline for Major League players! Fun how that works, right? In all likelihood, you’ll still see several players change hands this month, they just won’t be very exciting. But, veterans who’ve been playing the entire season on a minor league contract and haven’t at any point been added to the 40-man roster or been on the Major League injured list are still fair game to be traded.
Will you see any huge, blockbuster names flipped? Of course not — but there are still some recognizable names eligible to be traded. Among the position players in Triple-A who have been enjoying above-average production are Tim Locastro (Padres), Jake Marisnick (Angels), Mike Brosseau (Mets), Yuli Gurriel (Braves), Rylan Bannon (Twins), Nick Solak (Mariners), and Jerar Encarnacion (Giants)– just to name a few.
There are several pitchers enjoying nice years in generally hitter-friendly Triple-A environs as well. Ken Giles (Braves), Chasen Shreve (Yankees), Kyle Barraclough (Rangers), Anthony Gose (Guardians) and Adam Plutko (Twins) all have ERAs of 4.40 or lower over notable samples of innings. It’s obviously not a star-studded collection of talent, but it’s feasible enough that a team could get some big league value from someone in this group (or from one of the numerous other former big leaguers who has yet to appear on a 40-man roster).
Those are just some of the former big leaguers who are eligible to be traded, so long as any player(s) going back the other way have also not been on a 40-man roster or Major League injured list. It’s common for August deals to be simple cash swaps, as well.
There weren’t many post-deadline swaps in 2023. The White Sox landed a pair of minor leaguers from the Dodgers in exchange for international bonus allotments. The Brewers traded Tyler Naquin to the White Sox for cash, but he never got a big league look. The A’s and Giants swapped outfielder Trenton Brooks and lefty Sean Newcomb, both of whom played in the majors with their new club. Oakland even signed Newcomb to a contract for the 2024 season, though injuries limited him to 10 innings before he was released in June. In 2022, the Giants acquired Lewis Brinson for cash and gave him a look down the stretch.
Just to speculate a bit — and we haven’t really seen this in the past, but it’s technically possible — teams technically can engineer minor league trades, so long as the players involved have not been on the 40-man roster at any point in a given season. It’s doubtful we’ll see any top prospects change hands in this regard, but it’s not expressly forbidden, either.
And, just to rain on your parade, no — teams cannot game the system using players to be named later. The rules pertaining to the “true” trade deadline made sure to include the following language:
“The Commissioner’s Office will prohibit any transaction (or series of transactions) that, in the judgment of the Commissioner’s Office, appears (or appear) designed to circumvent the prohibitions of Rule 9(b).”
Nice try, folks, but don’t get your hopes up.
Just remember, anyone acquired after Aug. 31 isn’t postseason-eligible with his new club, so minor swaps of any relative note will likely take place before the calendar flips to September.
It won’t lead to any exciting trades, but we’ll likely still see some trades this month. You’ll just have to wait until the offseason for the chatter on Garrett Crochet, Brent Rooker, Mason Miller, Luis Robert Jr., Jesus Luzardo and others to pick back up in earnest.
2. Outright and Release Waivers
Revocable trade waivers are no longer a thing, but regular old outright waivers and release waivers are alive and well. Any time a player is designated for assignment now, the team’s only recourse will be to place him on outright waivers or release waivers. At that point, the other 29 teams will have the opportunity to claim that player … and the entirety of his remaining contract. Of course, a team doesn’t need to announce a DFA or even announce that a player has been put on waivers. It’s fairly common for a team to just announce that a player cleared waivers and was outrighted to a minor league affiliate without ever publicly declaring a DFA.
An important reminder on waivers now that it’s the primary means of acquiring talent from another organization: waiver priority is determined based on overall record (worst record to best record) and, unlike the now-retired “revocable trade waivers,” is not league-specific. If the White Sox want righty Darius Vines or lefty Cole Irvin — designated for assignment by the Braves and Orioles, respectively, prior to the deadline — they’ll have first crack. Next up would be the Rockies, Marlins, A’s, etc. — all based on the reserve order of the MLB-wide standings at the time (which is to say… the 27-83 White Sox are going to have first dibs all month long).
Teams who didn’t find sufficient interest in veteran players prior to the trade deadline and thus held onto them could eventually place those players on outright waivers in August, hoping another club will claim said player and simply spare the waiving team some cash. This is likelier to happen late in the month — when there’s less cash owed on those veteran contracts.
Last year, we saw the Angels undergo a mass sell-off in hopes of dipping under the luxury tax. The Halos placed more than a quarter of their roster on waivers, with Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, Matt Moore, Randal Grichuk, C.J. Cron, Hunter Renfroe, Dominic Leone and Tyler Anderson all hitting waivers. Giolito, Lopez, Moore, Renfroe and Leone were all claimed by new teams. That’s an extreme example, but it’s feasible that a current fringe contender who’s not far over the luxury tax (or who simply wants to save some money) could do so again late this month. Again, speculatively speaking, the Rangers or Giants are “only” about $13MM over the luxury threshold and could try to dip underneath if they fade in the standings.
As with any minor league trades, players claimed off waivers will only be postseason-eligible with their new club if claimed before 11:59pm ET on Aug. 31.
3. Sign Free Agents
Same as ever. Anyone who gets released or rejects an outright assignment in favor of free agency will be able to sign with a new team and, so long as the deal is wrapped up prior to Sept. 1, they’ll be postseason-eligible with a new team. It’s certainly feasible that a once-productive veteran enjoys a hot streak with a new club or fills a useful part-time role.
There’s also one notable veteran name who’s likely to sign and could make an impact with a postseason club. Ageless Rich Hill opted not to sign this past offseason despite receiving offers, instead preferring to wait until the latter portion of the season. Hill has spoken about the choice in the past, suggesting that now in his mid-40s, this offers him the best chance to stay healthy and productive. It also affords him more time with his family early in the year and, importantly, the opportunity to choose a clear postseason contender when he selects his new team. Hill is throwing off a mound and has reportedly had some interest from the Dodgers and Yankees.
At this point, Hill isn’t likely to be a major difference-maker, but he could eat innings at the back of an injury-depleted rotation. He posted a 5.41 ERA in 146 1/3 MLB frames last year, with much of the damage coming against him in the final three months of the season. Hill posted a 4.23 ERA through his first 13 starts in Pittsburgh last season, with fielding-independent marks that largely matched that number. It’s anyone’s guess whether he can replicate that production in ’24, but the cost to find out will be relatively minimal.
The same postseason eligibility date applies to incoming free agents as well.
4. Scour the Independent Leagues
Roll your eyes all you want, but the Atlantic League, Frontier League and American Association (among other indie circuits) are all teeming with former big leaguers. Need a speedy fourth outfielder who can provide some late-game defense and baserunning during September roster expansion? A platoon bat off the bench? An extra southpaw to stash in the bullpen? There will be experienced names to consider.
Look up and down the Atlantic League leaderboards and you’ll find former big leaguers like Frank Schwindel (.332/.405/.582, 15 homers), Mike Montgomery (71 innings, 4.31 ERA) and plenty of others. It’s unlikely anyone finds a true impact player on the indie scene, but then again, people cracked jokes when the 2015 Red Sox signed the aforementioned Hill away from the Long Island Ducks as a 35-year-old. He’s earned nearly $80MM and tossed more than 900 innings in the majors since joining the Red Sox under similar circumstances to the ones described here.
5. Look to Foreign Leagues
We don’t often see players return from the KBO, NPB or CPBL to sign with big league clubs midseason, but there’s precedent for it happening. There are also quite a few former big leaguers playing down in the Mexican League, creating another area for front offices to scout as they mine for depth options. Interest won’t be limited solely to former big leaguers, either. In 2022, the Mariners signed lefty Brennan Bernardino after a strong nine-start run in Mexico, watched him dominate through 12 2/3 innings in Triple-A Tacoma, and selected him to the Major League roster by the end of July. He made his MLB debut with Seattle in ’22, was claimed off waivers by he Red Sox earlier in ’23, and now carries a combined 3.13 ERA in 86 1/3 innings for the Red Sox in the 2023-24 seasons. You never know!
How about good old friend Trevor Bauer? He’d LOVE to come back and play for anyone these days lol…
I feel like every post on MLBTR and X having to do with trades & pitching there is always one person who inevitably brings up Bauer’s name
I think it’s gonna be a while before everyone realizes that Bauer isn’t gonna be donning a MLB uniform possibly ever again, or most likely for several years
In a league where only a fraction of the teams actively spend free agent dollars to improve their teams each off season, are pretty risk averse of any player with baggage and have a commissioner who rivals Goodell in disciplinary power…Bauer will be waiting by the phone a long long time
Dude has said he would pitch for minimum
What front office wants that PR nightmare?
Colin Kapernick also and last I saw he was playing QB for Antifa.
Only takes one. Maybe the same one that is paying Chapmans baggage or Ozuna’s baggage or I can go on but it doesn’t make the point stronger. You’re talking like there aren’t proven abusers in the game. There are several.
Lol I wonder when Samuel/filihok’s Japanese cousin will show up on this site.
“Sayonara”
Didn’t take long to find
It only goes so far and have posted for years. Abusers are overlooked if they have talent, but guys like Elijah Dukes get the boot for good, like they all should.
bauer has been an exception singled out to get shunned, my guess is because he’s always been outspoken anyway, but the sport doesn’t need wife beaters anyway. Let the nba/nfl be a magnet for those types.
Bauer will be back in 2025. He’s served his punishment. Only two people (i think he’s into some weird stuff) were in that bedroom and the commissioner wasn’t one of them I wasn’t one of them and I’m guessing no one reading this was either.
Does anyone remember Ray Lewis sitting in a courtroom accused of murder? That case got significantly further from a legal standpoint than Bauers and Ray came back to hugs and HOF. Bauer is being blackballed cause he’s a crappy human being. Plenty of crappy human beings suiting up in MLB today (looking at wife slapping Aroldis Chapman and Marcell Ozuna)
I’m not here to take away from anyone’s experience and i believe people guilty of domestic violence are the worst scum on earth who deserve the fleas from 1000 camels to infest their happy places. My issue is Bauer isn’t proven guilty. Not from a perspective of criminality. His accuser was charged with blackmail so there’s credibility issues there for sure. 2 years out for a case that was dismissed is more than sufficient. Michael Vick got to play again after admitting killing dogs in multiple states. Show me evidence that Bauer committed a crime and he can pitch the rest of his life in Tijuana and I’m fine with that but since no one could show a court evidence of a crime I’d say he will be back
Rumor is Cleveland was talking to him within the last few weeks. He’s still got the arm destroying the Mexican league. Talent usually wins (ie michael Vick) in these situations.
Be careful mentioning him lest you get banned.
For 324 games which hopefully i can get reduced lol
Lmfaooo
Ray Lewis had crafty lawyers, got off even with the victims blood on his shirt.
When bauer last pitched he was one of the best in the game
If he was coming back in 2025 then he would’ve already been back years ago, teams will not have a change in heart (unless Jerry reinsdorf gets greedy but even he has standards)
Trevor Bauer. There.
“Years ago” is misleading since he only became eligible opening day last year. Not rostered last year and this is more than enough for a team to justify he’s been duly “punished”
What people on here refuse to acknowledge is this….
“Follow The Money”.
The NFL figured out back in the 90’s that just about all males in America that were potential NFL fans were already NFL fans. If the league were to grow…..How about marketing to females? Female NFL commentators, merchandise, etc. came into play, and the NFL was on it’s way to being a trillion dollar industry.
MLB – always late to the party – has been slowly doing the same thing now for maybe 15-20 years. But unlike the NFL, MLB has always promoted itself as “Family Fun” – being that it plays in the summertime when the children are out of school.
Which bring us to the Trevor Bauer situation…….
I don’t know one woman of any age that was not appalled when told about the “controversy”. It’s not a matter of: “He Said / She Said”.; it’s a matter of “This is worse than gross and I don’t want to be involved in any way, especially with my children”.
Any team that signs Bauer is going to have a outcry from the women in their market that will result in a financial backlash which includes game tickets and overpriced food; overpriced team merchandise; a decline in TV and media device viewing (the Bally situation is already causing multiple teams problems); as well as radio – all of which mean less revenue for the franchise.
Rule #1 of business – Don’t alienate your customers / potential customers.
As with the other pro leagues, every MLB franchise has been warning it’s players about who they associate with – from gamblers to some prostitutes to questionable business marketers. Bauer and his friends elected to ignore those warnings. The guy could win 20 games in a season and pitch 4 no-hitters, but he’s going to cost any team that signs him an awful lot of money…..to a point whereby that franchise will have to sell off it’s well paid (and superior) players due to the decline in revenue.
Serious question how much do you think wife slapping Aroldis Chapman is costing his franchise in revenue? Second question isn’t it fair the Pirates believe it’s worth the cost of business since they’re paying him? The correct answers are none and yes
Baseball prints money. Let’s be serious ain’t one of those guys who’ve been popped AND PLAYED AFTER cost their team revenue. if they had they wouldn’t have gotten paid that’s basic economics. Bauer will eat crap for year one and his play will determine if he eats crap year two. Plays lights out all is forgotten the league and fans have already proven this. Plays like poop and “no one should sign an abuser” even though plenty have. Guys I’m just saying what’s already happened. It’s not my opinion the league and fans have already done this several times. Blueprint is there if you want to see it.
@Samuel “Any team that signs Bauer is going to have a outcry from the women in their market that will result in a financial backlash which includes game tickets and overpriced food; overpriced team merchandise; a decline in TV and media device viewing (the Bally situation is already causing multiple teams problems); as well as radio – all of which mean less revenue for the franchise.”
Again. People said the same thing would happen to any NFL team that signed Matt Araiza. The reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs did it anyway. And guess what? There was no outcry. They didn’t lose any revenue. It was only a story for like, a day or two.
They are called ‘Provocatuers’ mate. The internet is full of them. They have an agenda and are looking for kindling to start a fire.
nah hes going for the triple crown in mexico
and he’s gonna get it I think which meh it’s the Mexican league but it’s still enough a small market fringe team (KC comes to mind) will take a chance I think
Give it up. Bauer is one of the biggest d-bags ever to play the game and he’ll never make it back to the bigs. He’s more concerned about trolling women online and getting his followers to help harass them than he is pitching.
I would not call Rich Hill “ageless”
He’s definitely “aged” but it’s still pretty cool to see him pitch.
Tom Brady is ageless, rich hill is dry aged
Weird how Bauer not mentioned in point 3. Sure it’s not happening but he’s the premier name under that scenario.
He’s the premier poster boy for certain individuals , like yourself, perhaps, that are intentionally provocative.
it was a tactic used by the brown shirts in the 1920’s to stir unrest and interest in a cause.
Why mention it if it’s not going to happen? They also didn’t mention a team could resurrect Babe Ruth.
cutch didnt look right in a yankees uni
Imagine Scherzer on waivers
How about… put a player on waivers, have every team before the team you are trying to trade the player to in the waiver order pass on claiming the player, have that team claim the player, let the claim go through and then come the offseason make a separate unrelated trade with that team of prospects for cash considerations in the amount of 1 dollar?
@jimthegoat What do you mean “have every team before the team you are trying to trade the player to in the waiver order pass on claiming the player?” Teams don’t have the authority to “have” other teams do anything! Teams with waiver priority would claim the player to block other teams from acquiring him if for no other reason!
@LFGSD. He means collusion. Just with more words
@LFGSD619 Calm down. They could decline to claim the player on waivers because they get paid to, or to simply avoid having the other GM’s all think that they are a jerk, thus making it harder to work trades in the future.
Wait!!!
Hunter Renfro plays Baseball?!?!?
These Bauer flute players on here want Wander Franco to run a youth softball camp in their town, and have Roy Halladay fly their family to work on Ugeth Urbina’s farm and Corey Lidle to fly them back.
Troll
Please explain why a multi billion dollar enterprise would risk revenue by alienating fans over a controversial figure? The negative dollar potential for the MLB as a whole product isn’t worth the risk of one semi decent right arm, surely this isn’t an impossible concept to wrap your head around. Having the White Sox win 63 games instead of 59 isn’t worth whatever baggage comes with having Bauer in the MLB. Being a talented professional baseball player does not automatically give you the right to play in Major League Baseball.
Ask the falcons they gave millions to Michael Vick. I’m sure the explanation of talent trumps all will sound more likely coming from them
Sorry eagles
That’s not baseball you weirdo
You didn’t specify baseball you boiled hot dog. You said billion dollar enterprise but since you wanna be a goblin let’s do it
Aroldis Chapman
Jose Reyes
Roberto Osuna
I forgot Urias’s first name but he got popped twice
Steven Wright
All baseball players punished under domestic violence policy all played again after. I could even name more I choose not to. Please explain why these billion dollar enterprises would risk alienating their fan bases?
Your name fits cause your comments smell like poo-poo
@Druuu Ask the reigning Super Bowl champion KC Chiefs. They signed Matt Araiza this offseason to replace their first-string punter who became a free agent this offseason. And Bauer plays a position of much greater consequence than Araiza and is actually proven at the MLB level.
Aroldis Chapman pitched Monday in MLB please tell me how a multi billion dollar enterprise would risk revenue by alienating fans over a controversial figure?
It’s pretty simple, Bauer’s crimes were sexual. Michael Vick went to federal prison and had to repay something like $90 million dollars. Bauer has refused admit guilt in any capacity, and amplified attention around his repulsive behavior by filing frivolous lawsuits and using social media to whine and cry.
Bauer’s grating personality, immaturity and violent sexual behavior now outweigh his talent. No one wants to deal with him, that’s why he can’t get a job.
Bringing up the Chiefs punter, Rally Goose, really hurts your case rather than helping it. You are absolutely correct that a punter is a less visible, less important position than starting pitcher. And because he was accused and acquitted of a sexual crime, this insignificant punter still has enough notoriety to be mentioned here. I don’t think trotting Bauer out to the mound every 5 days would be a good look for any MLB franchise.
Clearly I think Major League Baseball should strive to have a stronger moral compass than the NFL. Bringing up the Chiefs tolerance for employing and enabling felons isn’t something any professional sports league should try and emulate.
Terry Francona and Tony LaRussa both couldn’t stand Bauer. Eventually most people have to mature, admit their mistakes, take their medicine, grow up and move on with their life. Bauer’s refusal to take any responsibility for his conduct both on and off the field has led him to this point. There isn’t some large conspiracy, Bauer simply isn’t talented or disciplined enough to outperform his particular package of whining, immaturity and criminal sexual offenses.
@Druuu Bauer has no “crimes” or “violent sexual behavior.” And why wouldn’t he refuse to admit guilt when he simply didn’t do anything?
The only reason Araiza was mentioned here was because I mentioned him. After the Chiefs signed him it was a story for like, a day or two. And it would be the same way with Bauer. All he has to do is keep his head down and soak up as many innings as possible while allowing as few runs as possible.
Araiza is not a “felon” either as he was exonerated both legally and morally.
Again. Bauer has no “criminal sexual offenses.”
When in his career has Bauer kept his down, pitched his innings, and not drawn attention to himself? Why would a MLB team take risk on someone who has never done that up to this point is his career?
The court of public opinion, the opinion of the general managers and owners of MLB teams and the opinion of the commissioner all matter when millions of dollars are at stake. The litigated technicalities of reprehensible sexual behavior are many degrees of less importance.
I think Major League Baseball and its decision makers are perfectly happy to avoid the risk associated with employing a person who has sexually violated members of the communities he has represented while wearing their jersey.
@Druuu
1. There are no risks associated with Bauer.
2. He hasn’t sexually violated anybody.
3. I hope he sues you for defamation next.
You could have stopped at the first line. Bauers crimes. What crimes? What’s the sentencing recommendation for being guilty of nothing?
One of these things is not like the others…
Sir Didi is another former Major Leaguer playing in Mexico. He last played in MLB with the Phillies in 2022.
baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=gre…
Red Sox well=represented in savvy additions.
Fanbase of team that signs Bauer
“Cannot believe we brought that clown in”
Fanbase of team that signs Bauer after he throws 7 shutout with 11 k’s
“I mean there’s more than one side to every story”
Book it lol
Fanbase after Bauer pitches 2 innings, gives up 25 runs, then beats up a truck stop prosti with a drone.
“What the actual f***?”
Troll
Bauer nut hugger. How much seed have you spilt for a random man that doesn’t care about you?
None to answer your pre-puberty 6th grade playground question.
You’re a pervert. probably went to a weirdo church school if that was playground question.
You police farts and I’m a pervert? Projecting much?
You can acquire anything with a gun and go-getter attitude.
Many GMs would be wise to remember that.
Less than troll if that’s a thing
Goblin?
For the Marlins, 12 of their top 26 prospects came by trade this year. Talk about changing over their roster… holy cow!
6 of their top 10 came over in trade
I liked the old way of waiver claims in August. Not sure why they did away with that.
They did away with it to stop high spending teams waiting longer to get the talent with less being owed. If you’re a playoff team and you want a guy for October you’d wait until further into August to acquire the player so the money was less against the tax threshold. You don’t care if you have him for August you want him for October.
Jeez, another long form article from Steve Adams, so you know it’s littered with mistakes. “And” and “but” shouldn’t have commas after them when they start the sentence. “Either” shouldn’t have a comma before it. “Nice try, folks” doesn’t need a comma (notice how Looney Tunes has been “that’s all folks” for generations).
Then theres this disaster: “It also affords him more time with his family early in the year and, importantly, the opportunity to choose a clear postseason contender when he selects his new team.” Importantly shouldn’t have a comma before it. There is no point or reason to have one. It just needlessly chops up an already dense sentence.