MLB Waiver Wire Activity: Angels, Rockies, A’s Have First Crack at Post-Deadline Bargains
The MLB trade deadline is over, but the transaction cycle is not. Waiver claims are the next way teams can add talent, and the worst clubs in baseball have first crack.
Under MLB’s current system, waiver priority is based on overall record, from worst to best. The Los Angeles Angels, at 43-70 and the worst team in baseball, have first claim on every player put on waivers. The Colorado Rockies, Oakland Athletics, and Kansas City Royals follow next in the pecking order.
That means the sellers who did not trade every asset at the deadline still have paths to acquire useful pieces, and the rebuilding teams sitting at the bottom of the standings get first look at whatever the contenders decide to dump.
Recent Waiver Activity
The Cincinnati Reds claimed right-handers Ron Marinaccio and Chase Solesky off waivers from the Pirates and Rays, respectively. Solesky was sent to Triple-A Louisville to add depth to the pitching pipeline. The St. Louis Cardinals claimed outfielder Everson Pereira off waivers from the White Sox after Chicago designated him for assignment on deadline day.
These are the kinds of low-cost, high-upside moves that define the post-deadline period. Teams look for players with remaining team control, an interesting tool profile, or a bounce-back candidate profile. The upside is not enormous, but the downside is nothing.
Why Teams Do This
Waiver claims are how bad teams find their next Everson Pereira. The former Yankees top prospect was highly regarded but never got a real shot in New York. The Cardinals now get to see if a change of scenery helps him unlock his tools. That is the entire game here.
For teams like the Angels, Rockies, and Royals, waiver claims are also a way to churn the bottom of the roster. If a player does not work out, you designate him for assignment and try again. The cost is essentially zero. The upside is finding a rotation piece, a bench bat, or a reliever who can help down the stretch.
What Kinds of Players Get Claimed
Typical waiver claim targets fall into a few buckets. Fringe major-leaguers with recent big-league experience. Former top prospects who have been designated for assignment. Relievers with recent success but limited team control. And players who fit specific roster needs, like backup catchers or utility infielders.
The Marinaccio claim is instructive. He was a productive Yankees reliever for a couple of years who lost his roster spot due to a numbers game in Pittsburgh. Cincinnati sees a chance to add a middle-relief piece with above-average stuff for essentially nothing. That is exactly the type of transaction that works out for smart front offices.
The Priority System Explained
Waiver priority is determined by overall record, worst to best, and is not league-specific like it used to be under the old revocable trade waivers system. The Angels, at 43-70, get first crack at every player put on waivers. The Rockies, Athletics, and Royals follow.
This system creates leverage for bad teams. If a contender wants to dump a bad contract or move on from a player who is not fitting, they have to convince multiple rebuilding teams to pass on the claim. That is not always possible, which is why waiver dumps often end up on the worst teams in the league.
The Rest of the Season
Expect waiver activity to pick up as September approaches and rosters expand. Contenders will look to add relief help. Rebuilding teams will churn the bottom of their rosters. And every once in a while, a claim will turn into a real contributor who impacts a playoff race.
The Angels, Rockies, A’s, and Royals get first look at everything. Whether they turn that priority into meaningful additions is up to their front offices. But the deadline is not really over. The waiver wire is just getting started.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
