On the evening of August 28, the San Francisco Giants, 67-67, fourth in National League West, 12.5 games back of the Dodgers and 6.5 back of the Braves for the third and final Wild Card spot, waived three players: second baseman Thairo Estrada and left-handed relief pitchers Tyler Matzek and Taylor Rogers.
This immediately brought to mind what another California-based team did last season.
Last August, the Los Angeles Angels waived four players—including three pitchers and current Royals outfielder Hunter Renfroe—when the team fell out of the hunt. The Angels waived the players to get under the luxury tax and to allow these players to possibly be claimed by contenders before the post-season roster eligibility deadline.