Major League Baseball

Post-deadline deals are still possible

Published Aug. 1, 2010 6:08 p.m. ET

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On Aug. 12, 1987, the Tigers acquired veteran Doyle Alexander from the Braves in exchange for a minor-league right-hander with control problems and a 5.68 ERA at Double-A.

Alexander was stellar down the stretch in '87 (9-0, 1.53 ERA), but in the ALCS Detroit was bounced by the Twins in five games. As for Atlanta, that erratic young right-hander was Michigan native John Smoltz, and he went on to a likely Hall-of-Fame career.

Fast forward to Aug. 30, 1990. The Red Sox, despite a comfortable six-game lead in the AL East, nabbed lefty reliever Larry Andersen from the Astros. To Houston they sent a rather forgettable young first baseman who had managed just six home runs in two full minor-league seasons.

Andersen was outstanding in his few weeks as a Red Sock, but Boston was swept by the mighty A's in the ALCS. Back in Houston, that young first baseman — that New Englander named Jeff Bagwell, who was born in a Boston hospital — went on to a likely Hall-of-Fame career.

Those two famous trades have a few things in common. They are both — depending upon your rooting interests — disasters or blessings from on high. And they both, as you may have noticed, went down in August — after the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

Indeed, trades — big, memorable, seasons-altering trades — can still unfold even though the waiver period has begun. Players acquired by Aug. 31 are eligible for postseason rosters, and that means contenders are still looking to shore up their hopes, even though the calendar has flipped. The only wrinkle is that players must first pass through revocable waivers before being dealt.

In recent years, names like Adam Dunn, Larry Walker, Jamie Moyer, Brian Giles, Jason Bay and Rickey Henderson have been traded to contenders in August, and those are but a few of many examples.

Just last season, we saw 27 trades or waiver claims within the month of August — moves that involved notables such as Billy Wagner, Scott Kazmir, Jon Rauch, Carl Pavano, Jim Thome, Alex Rios, Ivan Rodriguez, Jon Garland and Jose Contreras. So history suggests the trading game in 2010 is far from over.

As mentioned above, the waiver wire is obviously a complicating factor for those teams hoping to make an addition. However, as the 1998 Padres will attest, it's also a fraught process for teams who use the wire to block another team from getting a player. Generally speaking, though, the bigger the contract, the easier it is for the player to pass through waivers.

So contenders are still taking stock. The White Sox know they still need help at DH. The Tigers could still use an outfielder. The Giants need a bat. The Cardinals may be eyeballing a middle infielder. The Twins probably want pitching. And so on and so on. As for possible targets, a number of big names might be moved in August.

• Prince Fielder — Fielder is headed for an arbitration raise on top of his $11 million salary for 2010, so he's about to be pricey. Still, Fielder has tremendous power and on-base skills, and he's just 26 years of age.

• Adam Dunn — A number of teams targeted Dunn before the July 31 deadline, but no one would meet the Nats' asking price. Perhaps that price and demand will intersect in August? Dunn's a great fit for an AL team in need of power from the DH spot.

• Manny Ramirez — Man-Ram's name was bandied about quite a bit on Saturday, and his hefty 2010 salary and defensive limitations make him movable during the waiver period. Manny can still rake (.317 AVG/.409 OBP/.516 SLG in 2010), so he'll continue to elicit interest.

• Luke Scott — Scott is eligible for arbitration this winter, and he's presently making $4.5 million. He's been a reliable (and grossly underrated) left-handed power source throughout his career. Consider Scott a strong alternative to Dunn.

• Jorge De La Rosa — De La Rosa has lights-out stuff, but the results haven't been there this season. On the other hand, he's turned in back-to-back quality starts, and getting out of Coors Field will surely help his numbers. If the Rockies decide they're out of it for good, then DLR, who's a pending free agent, could be moved.

• Brad Hawpe — Hawpe, like teammate De La Rosa, is a pending free agent, and the Rockies may decide to flip him. He's got decent power from the left side, but he needs to be a first baseman or DH. That's not a possibility in Colorado right now.

• Derrek Lee — The Cubs' first baseman is a pending free agent who's also having a down year. However, Lee could still be targeted as the right-handed half of platoon.

• Chone Figgins — According to rumor, Figgins was discussed leading up to Saturday's deadline, but nothing came to fruition. Given his struggles and contract, he'll have no trouble passing through waivers. Perhaps a team in need of infield depth who's also willing to bet on a Figgins rebound will take a chance on him. For that to happen, though, the M's will need to kick in a pile of cash.

So take heart, you fans suffering from "deadline withdrawal": more deals are surely to come. And some of those August deals — just like the ones involving that young right-hander with control problems and that minor-league first baseman with no power — might wind up making history.

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