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We'll see some deals in August and the trading process becomes a whole lot easier if players clear waivers (here's the full explanation). We'll keep a constantly-updated list of the players to clear waivers right here as the month progresses. We won't hear of all players who clear waivers, so there could be surprise trades, but as soon as we know a player clears waivers, we'll add him to the list.

Cardinals - Khalil Greene (source)

Nationals – Cristian Guzman (source)

Orioles – Aubrey Huff, Melvin Mora, Danys Baez (source) and Mark Hendrickson (source)

Reds – Bronson Arroyo, Aaron Harang (source) and Alex Gonzalez (source)

Red Sox – John Smoltz (source)

Yankees – Brian Bruney, Robinson Cano, Mark Melancon, David Robertson (source)

D'Backs – Jon Garland (source)

Brewers – Mike Cameron, Jason Kendall, Craig Counsell, Braden Looper (source)

There's a two-week window remaining for teams to sign their draft picks. Once August 17th passes without a negotiation, these players will be eligible for next year's draft and the selecting team receives a compensatory pick in next year's draft. For a full list of signees and terms, visit our handy 2009 Draft scorecard here.

1. Nationals – Stephen Strasburg. All eyes will be on these negotiations, as Strasburg is a Scott Boras client. The range for his bonus has varied wildly, and talks are said to not be close, according to ESPN. This one will go down to the wire, and the Nationals probably can't afford another Aaron Crow situation.
2. Mariners – Dustin Ackley. Ackley is a Boras client, and supposedly talks aren't close. He's reported to desire a bonus similar to the one Mark Teixeira received, which was $9.5MM.
3. Padres – Donavan Tate. Tate's a Boras client as well, and talks aren't close. He has a two-sport scholarship to UNC Chapel Hill.
6. Giants – Zack Wheeler. With the departure of Scott Barnes and Tim Alderson in trades, it'd make sense for the two sides to come to a deal.
7. Braves – Mike Minor. There is word that talks are progressing between the Braves and Minor, and his not signing has reportedly held up negotiations with the college pitchers below him, as his slot will likely determine their contract figures.
8. Reds – Mike Leake. He was recently named College Pitcher of the Year, and last we heard he's nearing a deal says Mark Sheldon at MLB.com.
9. Tigers – Jacob Turner. Scott Boras client whom Kevin Goldstein at Baseball Prospectus believes "sure to sign," perhaps for an above-slot deal around $5MM.
11. Rockies – Tyler Matzek. Matzek could be one of the hardest to sign, and supposedly he has already been assigned a dorm room at University of Oregon, where he's committed to play. The Rockies aren't believed to be able to reach Matzek's bonus demands.
12. Royals – Aaron Crow. It will be interesting to see how this shakes out, as Crow didn't come to terms with the Nationals last year. Chico Harlan at the Washington Post thinks he'll receive $1.5-$2MM.
13. A's – Grant Green. Another Boras client, likely to sign for above slot.
14. Rangers – Matt Purke. He's reportedly got high bonus demands, and some believe he's likely headed to school instead.
15. Indians – Alex White.
16. Diamondbacks – Bobby Borchering. Last we heard the two sides were in a "holding pattern."
18. Marlins – Chad James.
19. Cardinals – Shelby Miller. The Cardinals got $1.5MM from the A's for Matt Holliday, which would be well-spent on Miller, who could take the default title as their number one prospect.
20. Blue Jays – Chad Jenkins.
22. Twins – Kyle Gibson. Gibson was hurt recently, which in turn hurt his chances at an above-slot deal. Goldstein believes he was in line for double his $1.3MM slot, but now might settle somewhere in between.
27. Mariners – Nick Franklin.
29. Yankees – Slade Heathcott.
30. Rays – Levon Washington. Scott Boras client.

Jon Heyman of SI.com has the latest on a couple of free agents who don't appear on this list: Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd and Dodgers GM Ned Colletti. Both could be free agents after the year (Colletti has a mutual option) and either could be a candidate to become the permanent Nats GM. Heyman lists White Sox assistant GM Rick Hahn, Marlins exec Dan Jennings, Red Sox exec Jed Hoyer and Rays exec Gerry Hunsicker as other possible fits in Washington, along with acting GM Mike Rizzo.

Earlier today we learned that Diamondbacks' ace Brandon Webb will indeed go under the knife tomorrow to correct a shoulder problem that has kept him out basically all season. The procedure knocks Webb out for the remainder of the year and could keep him out for part of 2010 as well, although the recovery time is not yet known.

You may remember that injury concerns caused the D-Backs to pull their three year, $54MM extension offer to Webb last June, and that move certainly looks wise now. The club holds an $8.5MM option for Webb's services next year, but could instead buy him out for $2MM (the original $500K buyout was bumped up another $500K every time he finished in the top five in Cy Young voting from 2006-2009). 

Considering the net worth of the option is just $6.5MM to the team (the same as Webb's salary this year), do you think they should pick it up? If not, what kind of contract could Webb receive in the offseason?

With all of the deals that happened prior to the deadline this year, we're doing a rundown of all the trades that took place, just in case you missed something. We'll keep each bullet minimal. Here we go:

• Technically, it was late June, but it was the first big name we saw move, and got us all thinking trade deadline. The Cardinals acquired Mark DeRosa for Chris Perez and a PTBNL who turned out to be Jess Todd.
• The Cubs acquired Jeff Baker from Colorado for Alberto Alburquerque.
• The Indians acquired Winston Abreu from the Rays for John Meloan.
• The A's acquired Scott Hairston for Ryan Webb, Craig Italiano, and a PTBNL who was revealed to be Sean Gallagher eight days later.
• The Royals acquired Ryan Freel for a PTBNL and cash.
• The White Sox acquired Tony Pena from Arizona in exchange for Brandon Allen.
• The Royals acquired Yuniesky Betancourt from Seattle for Danny Cortes and Derrick Saito. This one shocked a lot of people.
• The Mets and Braves made a one-for-one swap of Ryan Church and Jeff Francoeur.
• Seattle acquired Jack Hannahan for Justin Souza.
• The Brewers acquired Felipe Lopez from the Diamondbacks for Cole Gillespie and Roque Mercedes.
• The Orioles and Padres also made a one-for-one swap of Oscar Salazar and Cla Meredith.
• In yet another one-for-one trade, the Cards sent Chris Duncan to Boston for Julio Lugo, after the Red Sox had DFA'ed Lugo.
• The Red Sox added another left-handed bat when they acquired Adam LaRoche for Hunter Strickland and Argenis Diaz.
• More big names for the Cardinals. They acquired Matt Holliday for Brett Wallace, Shane Peterson, and Clayton Moretnsen.
• The Giants moves started by acquiring Ryan Garko in exchange for Scott Barnes.
• After DFA'ing Mark Kotsay, the Red Sox traded him to the White Sox for Brian Anderson
• The Pirates and Mariners completed a seven-player trade that sent Jack Wilson and Ian Snell for Jeff Clement, Ronny Cedeno, Nathan Adcock, Brett Lorin, and Aaron Pribanic.
• The Reds acquired Wladimir Balentien from Seattle in exchange for reliever Robert Manuel.
• The Yankees acquired Jason Hirsh from the Rockies and released Brett Tomko to make room.
• The Phillies landed a Cy Young winner, but it wasn't Roy Halladay. They got Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco as well for Carlos Carrasco, Jason Donald, Lou Marson, and Jason Knapp.
• The Giants acquired Freddy Sanchez in exchange for Tim Alderson.
• The Royals acquired Josh Anderson for cash considerations after he was DFA'ed by the Tigers.
• The Dodgers strengthened their bullpen, acquiring George Sherrill for Josh Bell and Steve Johnson.
• The Cubs acquired both Tom Gorzelanny and John Grabow from the Pirates for Kevin Hart and Jose Ascanio.
• The Tigers made a move to try to pull away with the division, acquiring Jarrod Washburn for Luke French and Mauricio Robles.
• The Dodgers and Brewers swapped Vinny Rottino and Claudio Vargas.
• The Red Sox made a big spalsh by acquiring Victor Martinez in exchange for Justin Masterson, Nick Hagadone, and Bryan Price.
• The Blue Jays acquired minor leaguer Sean Smith from the Pirates for future considerations.
• The Yankees added Jerry Hairston Jr. from Cincinatti for minor leaguer Chase Weems.
• Having acquired Victor Martinez, the Red Sox no longer had a place for Adam LaRoche. He was traded to Atlanta after just a few days in Boston for Casey Kotchman.
• The Marlins bolstered their lineup, acquiring Nick Johnson in exchange for Aaron Thompson.
• The Rockies added two pieces to their bullpen, a righty and lefty. They received Rafael Betancourt from Cleveland for Connor Graham, and also acquired Joe Beimel from Washington for Ryan Mattheus and Robinson Fabian.
• The White Sox might've made the surprise deal of the year. They succeeded in their second attempt to acquire Jake Peavy, landing the Padres ace for Aaron Poreda, Clayton Richard, Dexter Carter, and Adam Russell.
• The Reds and Blue Jays exchanged third basemen, with Scott Rolen going to Cincinatti in exchange for Edwin Encarnacion, Josh Roenicke, and Zach Stewart.
• The Twins added some much-needed infield help, getting Orlando Cabrera from the A's for Tyler Ladendorf.

That should cover it; let me know if I missed anything! A lot of action last month, and we look forward to another good one in August!

ESPN's Buster Olney takes a look at some "trade deadline ripples." ESPN Insider is required for the whole story, but here's some quick highlights:

• The Padres had to trade Jake Peavy for financial reasons, and don't be surprised to see them continue the firesale in the offseason. Olney says we could see both Adrian Gonzalez and Heath Bell moved to restock what's become a poor farm system.
• Olney says it may be the Braves who have done the best work of all this season, bolstering their offense with Nate McLouth and Adam LaRoche. At just four games back of the Wild Card, Olney is right to say that the Braves are indeed dangerous.
• Olney praises the Indians for building a solid foundation of young pitching through its moves this season.
• The Rays may move both Scott Kazmir and Carl Crawford this season, for financial reasons.
• Olney states that the Brewers did the correct thing by playing it conservative this year. Medium-market teams can't afford to trade off prospects for veterans every year and expect to contend.
• Roy Halladay's trade value dropped by 30 to 40 percent, in Olney's estimation. He has a hard time seeing them trade Halladay before the July 2010 trade deadline. Wouldn't it be fun to relive the drama all over again a year from now?
• Scott Rolen's $11MM 2010 salary will account for almost 15% of the Reds' payroll next season, which Olney says "makes no sense."

The trade deadline came with went with much excitement and fanfare, but if you're an MLBTR reader you know that the trading doesn't stop there. You can read all about how post-deadline waiver wire trades go down here, but long story short is that player can still be traded if they clear waivers or are claimed.

Last year we saw the likes of Adam Dunn, Greg Maddux, and Matt Stairs (among others) dealt after the deadline, and we're wondering who you think are some players that could be moved this year. Here's a list of players who were on the market but not moved, but that is just a jumping of point. Let us know what you think in comments.

This year, more teams seem to think they're in contention and fewer teams wore the tag of a true "seller." Countless names were bandied about as potential trade bait before yesterday's deadline, but as always only a few were actually dealt. Let's take a look at names on some of the teams that we'd most closely define as "sellers" this deadline that are staying put for now:

• Orioles: Aubrey Huff, Melvin Mora, Danys Baez, Luke Scott, Ty Wigginton, Mark Hendrickson. They got two good prospects for the popular George Sherrill, but as time ticked away none of these guys seemed to have much interest. Team president Andy MacPhail probably didn't get any offers for the impending free agents better than what the O's might get back in draft picks this offseason, as Huff projects as a Type A free agent and Mora a Type B (though it's unlikely Mora is offered arbitration). Can't rule out a waiver deal for the more expensive guys.
• Athletics: Adam Kennedy, Justin Duchscherer, Michael Wuertz. That Wuertz comes cheap and is under control till 2011 probably meant Billy Beane wanted a big return. Duchscherer is still recovering from elbow surgery and was scratched from his rehab start yesterday, but as an impending free agent with $1.3MM left on his deal this year there's a chance he could be moved this month.
• Blue Jays: Roy Halladay, Jason Frasor, Scott Downs, Lyle Overbay, Brandon League. Some speculated that a Halladay deal would be the impetus for a Scott Rolen deal and create a domino effect, but it looks like the Rolen trade was the only one to truly bowl over J.P. Ricciardi. Overbay might be a waiver deal candidate, as he makes $7MM this year and next.
• Pirates: Zach Duke, Matt Capps. With the explosion of the Pirates' roster, it's a minor surprise neither of these guys were dealt. But they come cheap, and they're under control through 2011.
  
• Padres: Heath Bell, Adrian Gonzalez, Kevin Kouzmanoff, David Eckstein, Kevin Correia. By the time the deadline approached, it seemed like Bell or Gonzalez might actually be dealt despite early reports that there would be no way they get moved. Instead, it was Peavy, which seemed to mean the Padres were cost-cutting.
  
• Diamondbacks: Doug Davis, Jon Garland, Chad Qualls. It became more evident before the deadline passed that the D'Backs would keep Qualls. Garland and Davis are candidates to be moved in August.
  
• Indians: Kerry Wood, Carl Pavano. With Wood's poor year and hefty contract, he wasn't an altogether attractive option. Pavano's set to net a draft pick as a Type B free agent, which probably appeals to the Indians more than what they were offered.
  
• Nationals: Josh Willingham, Adam Dunn, Ron Villone, Austin Kearns. Jim Bowden is gone, but it still seems the Nationals are asking quite a lot for their veterans at the deadline. Remember when they neglected to deal Alfonso Soriano at the deadline when he was an impending free agent? Not dealing Willingham can't be worse than that non-move, but it seemed to make sense to maximize value for him for a ballclub going nowhere this year.
• Royals: Mark Teahen, Brian Bannister, Ron Mahay, Willie Bloomquist. The Royals apparently wanted a Washburn-type return for Bannister, and teams might not have agreed with that asking price.

And so we turn another leaf: As an insane non-waiver deadline has passed, all eyes are focused on the August 31st waiver deadline. Be sure to check out our detailed post on the logistics of August trades.

Many analysts have noted that teams' financial concerns could mean this upcoming deadline is far more active than previous years, as trades this time of year often involve the unloading of fat contracts. If yesterday was any indication, we could be in for some solid action.

Lest we forget, August 17th is the other major deadline–the last day teams are given to negotiate contracts with their 2009 draft picks. Many top picks remain unsigned, including Stephen Strasburg, so you can expect some Boras drama to kick into high gear.

Here are some fairly significant trades we saw go down before August 31st last season:

• The Diamondbacks made an August playoff push, acquiring Adam Dunn and David Eckstein.
• The Phillies acquired Matt Stairs from the Blue Jays, which led to the creation of a pretty awesome t-shirt. They also picked up lefty Scott Eyre.
• The Dodgers picked up Greg Maddux from their divisional-rival Padres.
• The Red Sox improved their depth with acquisitions of Mark Kotsay and Paul Byrd.
• The Rays acquired Chad Bradford from the Orioles.

It's probably premature to evaluate the many trades we've seen in recent days, especially with so much uncertainty surrounding them. Jason Knapp, Josh Bell and Nick Hagadone are desirable prospects, but it will be years before we know how much value they'll bring their new franchises. Jake Peavy's a great pitcher, but his ankle's still healing.

Still, we know which teams seem better off now than they did a month ago. The Red Sox added Victor Martinez and held onto many of their top prospects; the Phillies got the ace they needed without giving up the prospects they wanted to keep and the Tigers added a top starter of their own. These three teams seem better off now than they did a month ago.

But what about the Indians, who traded marquee players for a bevy of minor leaguers? What about the Pirates, who traded a bevy of major leaguers for a wide-ranging group, including Tim Alderson? Or the White Sox, who gave up a lot and obtained a recovering Cy Young Award winner? Which of these teams are winners? Losers? In-between?