The non-waiver deadline may have passed, but as was predicted, we've still seen plenty of moves in August. Here's a look back at the week as we count down the hours until tomorrow night's signing deadline:
- The White Sox acquired Alex Rios from the Blue Jays for… well, nothing. Rios was claimed off waivers by the Sox and the Jays elected to part ways with Rios and the nearly $60MM left on his contract. Most analysts seemed to think the opportunity to shed that contract was too good to pass up; looks like J.P. Ricciardi agreed.
- The Red Sox acquired their own Alex this week, but theirs plays shortstop and costs about 10% as much. The Reds sent Alex Gonzalez to Boston in exchange for minor league shortstop Kris Negron. Gonzalez had cleared waivers earlier in the week.
- The Reds managed to shed a bit more salary, sending David Weathers to Milwaukee for a player to be named later. This will be Weathers' second tour with the Brew Crew.
- A little more than 24 hours for the Nats to sign Stephen Strasburg. They made a formal offer this week, that reportedly trumps the $10.5MM received by Mark Prior in 2001. I'm betting the Nats are hoping for better results from Strasburg, if he signs.
- Doug Davis was claimed on waivers this week by the Brewers, but a deal never happened. Instead, the Diamondbacks actually offered Davis a one-year extension to stay in Arizona. That seems unlikely though, as Davis is seeking a three-year deal. Davis says that if he can't make that happen in Arizona, he'll test the free agent market.
- The Yankees have said they'll consider bringing Johnny Damon back after the 2009 campaign. Hideki Matsui, on the other hand, likely won't receive the same opportunity. The Bombers would prefer the option of rotating some other players at DH, and Matsui seems to be the odd man out.
- A couple of expensive subtractions this week, as the Brewers DFA'ed Bill Hall, while the Angels released Justin Speier. Hall makes $8.4MM in 2010 with a $9.25MM option for 2011, while Speier is in the third year of a four-year, $18MM deal.
