Nationals sluggers Bryce Harper and Matt Adams were claimed by unidentified organizations on revocable trade waivers, according to Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post (Twitter link). They join fellow left-handed hitting Nats veteran Daniel Murphy as pending free agents who were not able to make it through the waiver wire.
The fact that teams were awarded claims on these players does not, of course, mean that any or all will actually change uniforms. There are always complicated strategies at play when waiver claims are made in August, and relatively few actually result in transactions.
Nevertheless, the claims do establish a timeline and process for determining whether or not these particular players will be dealt. Harper reportedly hit the wire on Friday, at the same time as Murphy and several other (then-unnamed) Nats players. It’s certainly possible, then, that these three situations will be resolved early this afternoon. Any players placed on waivers on Friday would be due for a decision today.
With regard to each player, the Nats can either work out a trade, revoke the claim, or allow the player to go to the claiming team for no compensation. As the D.C. organization continues to stare at a yawning gap in the NL East race, it clearly faces some difficult decisions.
[RELATED: How August Trades Work]
It is difficult to imagine that the Nationals will simply allow another organization to take over Harper’s contract. After all, the homegrown superstar is a sure bet to receive and reject a qualifying offer this fall, putting the Nats in line to recoup draft compensation if they can’t re-sign him.
That said, salary considerations and the desire to restock the farm certainly cannot be dismissed as motivating factors. Harper is owed nearly $5MM between now and the end of the season. If the Nationals decide that hopes of clawing back into the NL East race are too remote to warrant further expenditure, then perhaps the team will be willing to engage in real negotiations with whatever organization claimed Harper.
Adams certainly seems likelier to move among the two players. He has devastated right-handed pitching, with a .264/.345/.538 slash and 17 home runs in 238 plate appearances taken with the platoon advantage. His $4MM salary is an easy one to stash in most budgets. And at this time of year, it’s not that concerning that Adams isn’t a terribly flexible defensive player. Organizations in need of the bench pop could surely juggle things for a few days before rosters expand on September 1st. And Adams looks to be quite an interesting postseason asset.
Notably, the timing does leave the Nationals with at least a bit of leverage and remaining wiggle room — particularly, with respect to Murphy and Adams. The club could still hold out for some kind of return, pulling the veterans back if nothing is forthcoming. Then, if the situation in the standings still seems desperate later this month, the Washington organization could place all or some of the players back on waivers — knowing, this time, that they’d lose them for nothing more than salary relief if a claim is placed.
The most interesting factor here, of course, is not yet known: which teams won the claims? The Nationals could be negotiating with any number of different clubs on these three players. Truly, it’s difficult even to guess with any degree of confidence. National League rivals had priority, in reverse order of winning percentage. All three players are plausible targets for a variety of contenders. Particularly with regard to a premium performer such as Harper, it’s even possible that a non-contender could have inserted itself into the process.
It’s also worth noting that, per Castillo, several other Nationals veterans were recently placed on revocable waivers. The list is said to include at least three additional pending free agents: starter Gio Gonzalez, right-handed-hitting slugger Mark Reynolds, and catcher Matt Wieters. Whether or not they cleared waivers has yet to be reported.
I Could see him maybe to a team that could contend in the near future like Atlanta or Houston.
Harper did not get through the NL. Doubt he made it to ATL.
Harper? I’d love it if he went to Atlanta
We don’t want Harper in the ATL
True that
We? Your opinion has nothing to do with what the braves want!
idiot
lol
Bruh, “We don’t want Harper in ATL” we being himself(jkurk_22), and bkfansler2. I’m sure the Braves organization will take a negative approach toward signing him, because of these gentleman’s feelings.
Seems a bit much for a bench bat in Atlanta. No way they bench Markakis.
No chance he got to Houston. Even if he got through the NL, there’s zero chance Cleveland didn’t put in a claim.
My guess is the Dodgers or the Rockies.
You don’t think either of them is contending yet?
This is crazy I can wait to find out who got these 3 players!
Quite possibly no one.
That’s true
They don’t just “get” the player if they put in a claim for them.
I think Harper is going to the Cubs
In the offseason? Cause he didn’t make it to the Cubs.
How do you know?
Because the brewers or the cardinals would have put in a claim if only to stop him from going to the Cubs
Educated guess that at least one of the other 14 NL teams have at least one executive who was smart enough to graduate high school
I would otherwise not think the Yankees would have interest in Harper, but if the price isn’t TOO high, it might be worth trading for him not only to see what he can do in the last month in place of Judge, but also to test whether he is a good personality fit for New York ahead of his free agency.
There is absolutely no conceivable way the Yankees can trade for Harper.
I highly doubt he got to the Yankees!
My guess is just about every team in the NL that are contenders put a claim in for him! Dodgers, Rockies, Cardinals…if nothing else to keep him from Philadelphia, Atl, Arizona, or Chicago!
It would be something if they did acquire Harper, and he goes on some kind of tear. That would definitely boost his value this winter back to where it once was, this being a pipe dream of course.
Watch the Padres claim Harper just because Preller is nuts.
This I could see.
Most logical comment.
I think he should have, really just out of principle.
The Marlins claimed Harper. Why? I don’t know.
Murphy = Cardinals
Harper = Phillies?
I’d like to see Murphy on the cards. He’ll probably play 1B,2B, and 3B. Probably play SS, C, and OF.
Murphy won’t be going to the Cards.. The D Wong brings is of more value to our young staff than the bat Murphy brings
He probably won’t be asked to play second. Most likely first, sliding Carp to third, for six innings or so.
I hate myself for doing this, but I’m going to anyway. The correct spelling is “shoo-in” not “shoe-in.” Just my OCD acting up again.
1. That’s not even remotely what OCD is
2. Common usage has elevated “shoe-in” to the status of accepted alternate spelling
Common usage of the phrase “my OCD kicking in/acting up”. Give me a break, troll
Invoking a serious psychological disorder to excuse pedantry is bad.
I have OCD and have had it since my early 20s and im in my upper 30s. That isnt what OCD is. Most people with OCD you would have no idea have OCD.
Not as much as I hate when I make errors of that kind! Thanks, will fix.
many players are not defensively flexible. adams shouldn’t be singled out.
“Adam’s has devastated right-handed pitching, with a .264/.345/.538 slash”
Yeah, super devastating. ^ LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
Are you perhaps unfamiliar with what slugging % represents?
It’s considerably above league average. OPS+ of 139 against righties. You may not like the word choice, but find a thesaurus and pick a different synonym.
I would not be laughing unless it was at yourself. Devastating is a very appropriate word to describe that slugging %
Neither is worth much. Adams probably more desirable since he’d be willing to come off the bench.
Blocking move by Dodgers to keep Harper away from AZ and Colorado?
Logic suggests it’s the Dodgers or Phillies. Lowest win number and still in contention. Maaaaaaybe the Indians.
I don’t think Dodgers would let him clear NL waivers with possibility that AZ or Colorado could trade for Harper
Great minds think alike.
Brewers could use anyone of the 3 in the infield
Always funny.
How could they use Harper in the infield? He is an OUTFIELDER
I think that was intended as a slam on the Brewers infield
Socalbum, Red Sox fans are better than us so many don’t get sarcasm nor do they care about the NL. Lol
But does he draw rave reviews at catcher or the outfield?
Ray_Derek you out here liking your own comments now too? No way someone liked the comment you post on every single article expect for you…lol. It was old after the 5th post let alone the 500th. Too tough to come up with new material?
I liked it because it’s still funny.
U mad bro?
No it’s expected that a Cubs fan wouldn’t be able to add any baseball intellect to a conversation. I do feel bad for your sense of humor though. Take it your one of those guys who doesn’t realize when a joke is dead huh?
I’ll be sure to tell my sense of humor of your concern. And I think the joke will continue to be funny as long as the Crew has more infielders than quality pitchers.
So the same thing can be said about the Cubs.. I mean unless you consider Darvish, Chatwood, Hendricks or Q quality this year
I agree that the Cubs pitching staff is not good. I also hope they miss the playoffs.
I agree the cardinals are a deeper team and will continue persevering while the cubs and brewers deal with flaws
Please don’t lump him in with the Cub fans on this particular case. I told him already the joke is tired and gives us a bad name. I didn’t and still don’t mind the moves the Brewers made. He’s an idyot
I thought it was funny too. It will not get old until the season ends.
He’s a mental midget
It will be the Rockies who claimed him.
Rockies or Cardinals are the best bets.
I dont think the Dodgers did because of their budgetary issues.
On friday order of relevant teams who could claim him were 1 Rockies 2 Dodgers 3 Cardinals 4 Brewers 5 Phillies 6 Diamondbacks 7 Atlanta 8 Chicago.
Can somebody explain to me why Harper is considered more valuable than JD Martinez, Jose Ramirez or Jesus Aguilar? There’s so much talk of a contract in the 300 million or more size that just doesn’t make any sense to me.
Harper has the edge over JD Martinez due to his superior defensive prowess. If Jose Ramirez is becoming a Free Agent any time soon, he will command a lot of money. Both Ramirez and Harper are 25 years old – but most 25 years old are NOT a free agent.
I don’t know why Jesus Aguilar is mentioned here. He was considered a AAAA player before this season. Harper definitely has a better track record AND the edge in defense.
Ramirez signed through 2021 with club options for 22 and 23.
Yeah I don’t think Harper cracks 300 million this offseason. He’s worth the Stanton contract or a bit more around 225-240. Manny on the other hand gets 300 maybe more.
I hate to be “that guy” but Stanton got 325 million.
If Jose Ramirez was a free agent after this year, he’d easily get $300M.
I think all the underachieving the Nats have done can be attributed some to chemistry issues. They aren’t a poorly constructed team position wise.
They should move on from Harper next year if unwilling to trade him before Sept. 1st.. The young talent and pitching are there. They will just have to fill in some pieces.
While his antics may be a bit overblown by the media, I genuinely believe there are teammates who resent him on some level… And you can’t have any players receiving the star treatment from management.
Rangers claim him so he can be paired up with his good buddy Joey gallo
Harper’s friend is Jerry Callo not Joey Gallo.
Nope…it’s Gallo!!
I got the reference. Great movie.
With the Pirates pretending to be contenders, their lack of offense, and Adams’ low salary, it looks like a good match to me.
If the Giants didn’t put in the claim for Harper, they should have.
I wonder if the waiver wire is like a twitter feed for GMs or if it’s Rob Manfred calling them up and asking them if they’re interested. Can we get some clarification? Can they take time to answer?
I would love to know how it works too.
A friend’s uncle who works at the kitchen facility of Citizens Bank Park knows a club house attendant’s aunt who thinks that the Phillies might be interested in Harper and Murphy.
LOL
That is too funny
none of these guys got to the cubs let alone the AL
im sure maddon will challenge any winner of a waiver claim
My guess is the Nationals will pull all 3 back, make no other additions and DFA another quality player for being a possible snitch and go the media saying they still believe this team will turn it around.
Off subject. I wonder what Sean Doolittle’s ancestors did to deserve such a surname
They were royalty.
Thanks. I was gonna guess they lacked fiber in their diet
Harper in from Vegas,he is going West and hopefully with a new Coaching Staff that will work on that all or nothing swing!
Pinch hitting for Casey’s sweaty palm. Phillies.
My guess is D’Backs
Still trying to figure out this waiver thing. Hypothetically, could the same team have claimed all 3 players at the same time?
Hypothetically only yes. The risk would be if they agree or “give” you the player’s contract (team MAY have to eat all 3 contracts). Risky but possible. This probably won’t happen here, but hypothetically possible.
if you got young high level talent and maybe a replacement mlb player to replace why wouldnt you.