The MLB trade deadline has passed but that doesn't mean rumors or deals are over in baseball, as the waiver trading deadline lasts through August and that means players like Marlon Byrd, Alex Rios, Cole Hamels, Matt Kemp, Troy Tulowitzki and Cliff could potentially be traded still, as teams could be looking at making deals and some of those big names could move.
According to Hardball Talk, names like Rios and Byrd are the top names that could move and now Lee is likely off the table, as he left his last start with an arm injury. There have been some notable waiver trades in the past, but not in recent years and after names like Jon Lester and David Price moved in deals at the deadline, big names could be moving again.
The Phillies sat on their players and did not make any moves despite the fact that they are way out of the mix and now some of those names could be targets now. Lee is out, but Cole Hamels and Marlon Byrd could be fits for teams and this comes after Byrd was a major target coming into the deadline. Teams like the Mariners, Yankees and Pirates all were interested, but he did not get dealt. The Yankees need him but likely won't deal after already getting Martin Prado and Stephen Drew, while the Mariners made their moves as well and are off Byrd.
The issue with Byrd is money, as he is getting $8 million this year and next year, while he also has a vesting option coming up and that could be what keeps him from getting moved. This trade deadline was fantastic from a fan perspective and from someone who loves trades, as big names like David Price and Jon Lester moved and now the power in the AL is with the Tigers and the Athletics.
The deal for Price was surprising but not shocking, as the team is still in the playoff race and now Price is onto the Detroit Tigers and that means the team has three of the last Cy Young winners in the AL. Price was moved in a three team deal with the Mariners and Rays, with Seattle getting Austin Jackson and the Rays also getting Nick Franklin and Drew Smyly. The Tigers matched what the Athletics did by trading for Jon Lester and now those two teams look to be the best in the AL as the season moves deeper into the second half.
The Waiver deadline may not see has many names move, but there is plenty of potential with Kemp and even Tulo, as the Rockies could try and trade him this summer, but it's unlikely. The Mariners and Yankees are out on Byrd now that they have made moves and the Phillies are a team to watch during this deadline with their big money guys.
