The waiver trade deadline is Aug. 31 and a number of MLB clubs have witnessed some of their notable players clear revocable waivers. More rumors are bound to surface within the next two weeks, especially involving teams such as the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies.
Here's the complete list of players (provided by MLBTradeRumors.com) who can now be traded to any MLB team without restriction:
Dexter Fowler, OF, Chicago Cubs
James Shields, SP, San Diego Padres
Chase Utley, 2B, Philadelphia Phillies
Jose Reyes, SS, Colorado Rockies
Fernando Rodney, RP, Seattle Mariners
John Axford, RP, Colorado Rockies
Addison Reed, RP, Arizona Diamondbacks
Edward Mujica, RP, Oakland Athletics
David Aardsma, RP, Atlanta Braves
The surprising names on this list include Fowler and Rodney. Players such as Shields and Utley were expected to pass through waivers because of their contracts and performance this season, while the others either aren't having great campaigns (Axford, Reed, Mujica, Aardsma) or have large annual salaries that aren't too attractive (Reyes).
Rodney is having a poor season as well, but his last three years have been great and perhaps a change of scenery could help his cause considering the Seattle Mariners are terrible. Shields and Utley remain the top two trade candidates because of their situations with their current clubs and the need for starting pitching/middle infield help throughout the MLB.
While Fowler is arguably the most attractive name here, it's unlikely the Chicago Cubs move him. They're in the midst of a playoff run and Fowler has been solid at the plate and in center field. He's batting .248/.346/.406 with 78 runs scored, 12 home runs, 33 RBIs and 17 stolen bases in 114 games.
Additionally, Fowler will be a free agent after the season so he has little trade value anyway.
If the Cubs are going to move anyone before the end of the month, look for them to place shortstop Starlin Castro on waivers within the next two weeks. Castro lost his starting job to Addison Russell thanks to his career-worst campaign this season and was moved over to second base. It appears as if the team is in the process of moving on from him, especially due to the trade rumors involving Chase Utley and the presence of Javier Baez at Triple-A Iowa.
Stay tuned for trade updates prior to the Aug. 31 waiver deadline.
