You didn't think the fun was over, did you?
After one of the most thrilling roller coaster rides in MLB trade deadline history on Thursday, dozens of potential trade chips continue to lurk out there for contenders to snatch up. The waiver trade process is complex and somewhat convoluted, so don't expect things to get quite as wild as they did in July. However, big changes are still very possible as we present to you our MLB Rumors Roundup for the weekend of August 3rd:
Cliff Lee's injury a trade, season killer?
After two less-than-stellar starts after his return from injury earlier this month, many MLB analysts speculated that just one outing where Philadelphia Phillies veteran Cliff Lee looked back at peak form could be enough for him to find a new home via waiver trade in August.
However, according to Dayn Perry of CBS Sports, his second left elbow strain this season (suffered in Thursday's start against the Washington Nationals) has sealed the exit door for the 35-year-old lefty:
The expectation at this point is that Lee's done for 2014.
The anticipation had been that the Phillies would attempt to trade him (despite the minimum $37.5 million left on his contract) during the August waiver period, but now that's obviously not going to happen.
Lee has posted a 3.65 ERA and a 6.00 K/BB ratio with the Phillies this season.
Phillies GM Ruben Amaro on the hot seat?
While general managers such as Dave Dombrowski (Detroit) and Billy Beane (Oakland) celebrate their wild successes before Thursday's non-waiver trade deadline, Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro finds himself assessing what could have been.
After making zero deadline moves despite dozens of reported options at his disposal, Amaro told reporters in the team's dugout on Thursday that he was "disappointed" the Phillies couldn't swing a deal and was "surprised that there wasn't more aggressive action from the other end."
"We have some pretty good baseball players here," he stated, via Kevin Tresolini of the News Journal. "Our goal all along was to try to improve the club and there really wasn't a deal to be made that would help us do that."
A wild swing and a miss this July doesn't mean that a deal or two won't get done in August or even this winter. But, with Amaro's name popping up as a joke throughout social media circles the past 24 hours, he will need to have something up his sleeve to keep his job safe heading into 2015.
Deja vu for Alex Rios?
While outfielder Alex Rios remains a member of the Texas Rangers heading into the dog days of the 2014 campaign, they're not quite out of the woods when it comes to a potential move.
"I'm not off the hook yet," said Rios, via Scott Sargent of ESPNDallas.com. "There's still another month to go, but I'm content and focused on the things I have to do."
Rios was acquired by the Texas Rangers in a waiver trade with the Chicago White Sox last August. While Rios' power numbers have dipped this year, he is hitting over .300 and could still be a top trade target if he can clear waivers again.
Add in a $13.5 million team option for 2015 with a manageable $1 million buyout, and Rios could be making an August switch once again this year.
News & Notes
*Don't be surprised if the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox continue talks on Chicago left-hander John Danks throughout August. Danks could very well clear waivers with two years and $28.5 million remaining on his contract. Couple that with a 4.50 ERA in 2014 and Danks' financials could scare off several teams looking for mid-to-back of the rotation help.
Except the Yankees.
*Keep your eye on Houston Astros slugger Chris Carter. He is fifth in Major League Baseball with a 15.1 AB/HR ratio, and could provided needed right-handed pop near the bottom of a contending team's starting lineup.
The Astros are always looking for prospects to advance their long-term rebuilding efforts, so a Carter move could be another step in facilitating that for the struggle AL West also-rans.
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