Not long ago, every August at MLBTR kicked off by reminding longtime MLB fans (or explaining to new fans) how the dizzying rules regarding August trade waivers worked. It was a convoluted proce s one that saw nearly every player in the league placed onrevocabletrade waivers at some point (heavy emphasis on revocable) but one that front offices increasingly used as creative means to pull off significant acquisitions after the supposed deadline. In reality, under the old rules, the first trade deadline was never the actual deadline it just wasnt as catchy to use the full term, non-waiver trade deadline. As time progre sed, the month of August increasingly served as a means of swapping out higher-priced talents in waiver trades that were still quite noteworthy. If youre seeing , , and others change hands in late August, just before the deadline for postseason eligibility was the non-waiver deadline really a trade deadline at all? Not so much. Back in 2019, Major League Baseball opted to quash the ever-growing proce s of August roster reconstruction. The league put an end to waiver trades that often served as a means of teams hitting the eject button on notable contracts and saw larger-payroll clubs take on those deals simply because they po se sed the financial wherewithal to do so. MLB implemented a more concrete true trade deadline that prohibited players on Major League contracts or any who had previously been on Major League contracts earlier in the season (i.e. since-outrighted players) from being traded after the deadline. Does that mean teams can no longer acquire new players or addre s injuries as they arise? No, but their avenues to do so are substantially narrower. Heres a look at how Major League front offices can still augment their roster now that the true trade deadline has pa sed: 1. Trades! Wait, what? I thought we just Yes, we did. But it turns out that the true trade deadline is really only the true trade deadline for Major League players! Fun how that works, right? In all likelihood, youll still see several players change hands this month, they just wont be very exciting. But, veterans whove been playing the entire season on a minor league contract and havent at any point been added to the 40-man roster or been on the Major League injured list are still fair game to be traded. Will you see any huge, blockbuster names flipped? Of course not but there are still some recognizable names eligible to be traded. Among the position players in Triple-A who have been enjoying above-average production are (Padres), (Angels), (Mets), (Braves), (Twins), (Mariners), and (Giants) just to name a few. There are several pitchers enjoying nice years in generally hitter-friendly Triple-A environs as well. (Braves), (Yankees), (Rangers), (Guardians) and (Twins) all have ERAs of 4.40 or lower over notable samples of innings. Its obviously not a star-studded collection of talent, but its feasible enough that a team could get some big league value from someone in this group (or from one of the numerous other former big leaguers who has yet to appear on a 40-man roster). Those are just some of the former big leaguers who are eligible to be traded, so long as any player(s) going back the other way have also not been on a 40-man roster or Major League injured list. Its common for August deals to be simple cash swaps, as well. There werent many post-deadline swaps in 2023. The White Sox from the Dodgers in exchange for international bonus allotments. The Brewers to the White Sox for cash, but he never got a big league look. The As and Giants outfielder and lefty , both of whom played in the majors with their new club. Oakland even , though injuries limited him to 10 innings before he was released in June. In 2022, the Giants acquired for cash and gave him a look down the stretch. Just to speculate a bit and we havent really seen this in the past, but its technically po sible teams technically can engineer minor league trades, so long as the players involved have not been on the 40-man roster at any point in a given season. Its doubtful Edmond Sumner Jersey well see any top prospects change hands in this regard, but its not expre sly forbidden, either. And, just to rain on your parade, no teams cannot game the system using players to be named later. The rules pertaining to the true trade deadline made sure to include the following language: The Commi sioners Office will prohibit any transaction (or series of transactions) that, in the judgment of the Commi sioners Office, appears (or appear) designed to circumvent the prohibitions of Rule 9(b). Nice try, folks, but dont get your hopes up. Just remember, anyone acquired after Aug. 31 isnt postseason-eligible with his new club, so minor swaps of any relative note will likely take place before the calendar flips to September. It wont lead to any exciting trades, but well likely still see some trades this month. Youll just have to wait until the offseason for the chatter on , , , , and others to pick back up in earnest. 2. Outright and Release Waivers Revocable trade waivers are no longer a thing, but regular old outright waivers and release waivers are alive and well. Any time a player is designated for a signment now, the teams only recourse will be to place him on outright waivers or release waivers. At that point, the other 29 teams will have the opportunity to claim that player and the entirety of his remaining contract. Of course, a team doesnt need to announce a DFA or even announce that a player has been put on waivers. Its fairly common for a team to just announce that a player cleared waivers and was outrighted to a minor league affiliate without ever publicly declaring a DFA. An important reminder on waivers now that its the primary means of acquiring talent from another organization: waiver priority is determined based on overall record (worst record to best record) and, unlike the now-retired revocable trade waivers, is not league-specific. If the White Sox want righty or lefty designated for a signment by the Braves and Orioles, respectively, prior to the deadline theyll have first crack. Next up would be the Rockies, Marlins, As, etc. all based on the reserve order of the MLB-wide standings at the time (which is to say the 27-83 White Sox are going to have first dibs all month long). Teams who didnt find sufficient interest in veteran players prior to the trade deadline and thus held onto them could eventually place those players on outright waivers in August, hoping another club will claim said player and simply spare the waiving team some cash. This is likelier to happen late in the month when theres le s cash owed on those veteran contracts. Last year, we saw the Angels undergo a ma s sell-off in hopes of dipping under the luxury tax. The Halos , with , , , , , , and all hitting waivers. Giolito, Lopez, Moore, Renfroe and Leone were all claimed by new teams. Thats an extreme example, but its feasible that a current fringe contender whos not far over the luxury tax (or who simply wants to save some money) could do so again late this month. Again, speculatively speaking, the Rangers or Giants are only about $13MM over the luxury threshold and could try to dip underneath if they fade in the standings. As with any minor league trades, players claimed off waivers will only be postseason-eligible with their new club if claimed before 11:59pm ET on Aug. 31. 3. Sign Free Agents Same as ever. Anyone who gets released or rejects an outright a signment in favor of free agency will be able to sign with a new team and, so long as the deal is wrapped up prior to Sept. 1, theyll be postseason-eligible with a new team. Its certainly feasible that a once-productive veteran enjoys a hot streak with a new club or fills a useful part-time role. Theres also one notable veteran name whos likely to sign and could make an impact with a postseason club. Agele s opted not to sign this past offseason despite receiving offers, instead preferring to wait until the latter portion of the season. Hill has spoken about the choice in the past, suggesting that now in his mid-40s, this offers him the best chance to stay healthy and productive. It also affords him more time with his family early in the year and, importantly, the opportunity to choose a clear postseason contender when he selects his new team. Hill is throwing off a mound and has reportedly . At this point, Hill isnt likely to be a major difference-maker, but he could eat innings at the back of an injury-depleted rotation. He posted a 5.41 ERA in 146 1/3 MLB frames last year, with much of the damage coming against him in the final three months of the season. Hill posted a 4.23 ERA through his first 13 starts in Pittsburgh last season, with fielding-independent marks that largely matched that number. Its anyones gue s whether he can replicate that production in 24, but the cost to find out will be relatively minimal. The same postseason eligibility date applies to incoming free agents as well. 4. Scour the Independent Leagues Roll your eyes all you want, but the Atlantic League, Frontier League and American A sociation (among other indie circuits) are all teeming with former big leaguers. Need a speedy fourth outfielder who can provide some late-game defense and baserunning during September roster expansion? A platoon bat off the bench? An extra southpaw to stash in the bullpen? There will be experienced names to consider. Look up and down the Atlantic League leaderboards and youll find former big leaguers like (.332/.405/.582, 15 homers), (71 innings, 4.31 ERA) and plenty of others. Its unlikely anyone finds a true impact player on the indie scene, but then again, people cracked jokes when the 2015 Red Sox signed the aforementioned Hill away from the Long Island Ducks as a 35-year-old. Hes earned nearly $80MM and to sed more than 900 innings in the majors since joining the Red Sox under similar circumstances to the ones described here. 5. Look to Foreign Leagues We dont often see players return from the KBO, NPB or CPBL to sign with big league clubs midseason, but theres . There are also quite a few former big leaguers playing down in the Mexican League, creating another area for front offices to scout as they mine for depth options. Interest wont be limited solely to former big leaguers, either. In 2022, the Mariners signed lefty after a strong nine-start run in Mexico, watched him dominate through 12 2/3 innings in Triple-A Tacoma, and selected him to the Major League roster by the end of July. He made his MLB debut with Seattle in 22, was claimed off waivers by he Red Sox earlier in 23, and now carries a combined 3.13 ERA in 86 1/3 innings for the Red Sox in the 2023-24 seasons. You never know! Cassius Stanley Jersey