Rangers Could Drop Nathan Eovaldi, Others On Waivers. Could the Twins Nab Pitching Help?

[Eric Blonigen]

This week, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported that the Rangers could be in position to attempt to dump some salary to get under the luxury-tax threshold. There are several players they could waive, and time is of the essence. Are any of their waiver candidates good fits for the Twins?

Image courtesy of © Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Leading up to the trade deadline, Texas was rumored to be shopping several pitchers on expiring deals. As the deadline approached, the Rangers’ fortunes were trending up, and they kept everyone but Michael Lorenzen. However, they are now nine games out of playoff position and all but out of contention, leading to the possibility of dumping everyone they can. The Angels did this in 2023, and it led to the Guardians claiming multiple players in an (unsuccessful) attempt to make the playoffs. Could the Twins do the same this season, with better results?

Let’s start by looking at the players who could be waived, and their salaries for the rest of the season. Based on the Twins’ needs, we will only look at pitchers. Below are their remaining salaries and 2024 fWAR.

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• SP2 Nathan Eovaldi - $2.6M - 1.8 fWAR
• SP2 Max Scherzer - $2.1M - 0.7 fWAR
• SP3 Andrew Heaney - $2M - 1.9 fWAR
• RHRP David Robertson - $2M - 1.6 fWAR
• RHRP José Léclerc - $1M - 0.3 fWAR
• LHRP Kirby Yates - $0.7M - 1.6 fWAR
• LHRP Andrew Chafin - $0.7M - 0.3 fWAR

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All seven of these pitchers would immediately upgrade the Twins’ pitching staff. Kirby Yates would slot in alongside Griffin Jax and Jhoan Durán at the back end of the bullpen, as would David Robertson. José Léclerc and Andrew Chafin would be more secondary setup men, but they would supplant guys like Steven Okert, Caleb Thielbar, or Trevor Richards. On the starting pitching front, Nathan Eovaldi, Max Scherzer, and Andrew Heaney would all slot in as playoff-caliber pitchers who could step into Joe Ryan’s spot in the rotation, taking the pressure off of Simeon Woods Richardson, David Festa, and Zebby Matthews to immediately perform, and allow them the normal peaks and valleys of player development.

Of these players, Scherzer has a full no-trade clause, but it’s possible he would waive this to pitch for a World Series contender. Eovaldi has a vesting option for more than the Twins would be comfortable paying, but it’s a dice toss whether he will accumulate enough innings, and the Twins could certainly trade him should his option vest. Robertson has a $7 million mutual option with a $1.5 million buyout, which the Twins would likely decline should the opportunity present itself. Chafin also has a $6.5 million club option with a $500,000 buyout, which the Twins would certainly decline. The other pitchers are free agents at season’s end.

Were the Rangers to take a page out of the 2023 Angels playbook and waive them all, the Twins would likely be lucky to claim one of the above pitchers, as claims happen in reverse order of the standings, and if you haven’t noticed, these Twins are pretty good. Here are the teams in contention with a worse record than the Twins.

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• Royals - currently have the third AL Wild Card.
• Red Sox - one game back of the third AL Wild Card.
• Astros - currently leading the AL West and their window of contention may be closing.
• Mariners - 1.5 games back in the AL West, 2 games back of the third Wild Card.
• Braves - holding onto the third NL Wild Card.
• Mets - one game back of the third NL Wild Card.
• Cardinals - 3 games back of the third NL Wild Card.
• Diamondbacks - tied for the first NL Wild Card.
• Padres - tied for the first NL Wild Card.
• Giants - 2.5 games back of the third NL Wild Card

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As you can see, there are as many as 10 teams who may see themselves as one pitcher away from ekeing into the postseason and who would have waiver priority over the Twins. However, the Red Sox, Giants and Padres have both been cutting payroll this season, and it’s possible that neither would want to take on additional salary. Similarly, the Diamondback are broadcast through MLB and have taken a revenue hit. 

Then, we have the teams who have great pitching already - I’m looking at the Mariners (3.52 staff ERA), and the Braves (3.74 staff ERA). The Astros have a top-10 pitching staff as well, so it’s possible they wouldn’t see a real need to add. However, the Diamondbacks, Giants, and Mets all have bottom-10 pitching staffs, so it’s likely they would submit multiple waiver claims, should the opportunity present itself.

All of that says that there are four likely teams with ample budget space and the need with waiver claims ahead of the Twins - the Royals, Mets, and Cardinals. Any of those teams could place multiple claims, while the other teams would likely either stand pat, or make one claim.

Realistically, even if the Rangers were to waive the entirety of their good pitchers on expiring deals, the Twins might not get a chance to claim one, and that’s if the Pohlads were willing to spend another $2-4 million, which (rumor has it) they were unwilling to do at the deadline. However, the potentially season-ending injuries to Ryan and Justin Topa, and the season-ending surgery for Brock Stewart may convince them that a small capital outlay would move the team forward and buy fan goodwill, particularly as game attendance is on the rise.

If things work in the Twins’ favor, they just may find the pitching upgrades they needed at the deadline, and need more today. Nathan Eovaldi, David Robertson, or Kirby Yates would go a long way toward improving the Twins pitching staff come October.

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What do you think? Would you be interested in any of these players if the Rangers waive them? And if the Rangers do, do you think the Twins have a realistic shot? Comment below to start the discussion!

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[Gamblerssoftball]

The chances of even one of those guys falling to the Twins spot in the order of teams according to their records is slim and none. Slim was seen saddling up.

[Doctor Gast]

Hope is eternal. 

[CRF]

It ain't gonna happen, but Yates and Chafin would look real good in Twins uni's. 

[Brandon]

I don't see the Rangers doing that though.  The Angels didn't originally plan to go higher in payroll.  They changed and added because of Ohtani becoming a free agent.  then reversed course when they fell flat and Ohtani was hurt enough to sit out the rest of the season.  dropping players this way is bad business.  the Rangers went into the season with their budget.  to change direction and just let players go just to squeak under the tax threshold is insulting to other teams and the fans.  

[D.C Twins]

1 hour ago, Gamblerssoftball said:

The chances of even one of those guys falling to the Twins spot in the order of teams according to their records is slim and none. Slim was seen saddling up.

Actually, Slim just passed out in the back of the saloon...

[Joe A. Preusser]

6 minutes ago, D.C Twins said:

Actually, Slim just passed out in the back of the saloon...

Slim and I are buds.  I bought him a  whiskey just now.

I hope this happens and the Twins can get someone to help.  

My question is:

How can teams claim everyone?  Once you are awarded a player don't you go to.the bottom of the line?  Can the worst team actually claim EVERYONE?

[Gamblerssoftball]

13 minutes ago, Joe A. Preusser said:

Slim and I are buds.  I bought him a  whiskey just now.

I hope this happens and the Twins can get someone to help.  

My question is:

How can teams claim everyone?  Once you are awarded a player don't you go to.the bottom of the line?  Can the worst team actually claim EVERYONE?

I see what you're doing. You get Slim drunk so's he hangs around long enough to pick up a pitcher. I hope it works!

[Linus]

I thought waiver claims went by leagues?  You have NL teams listed ahead of the Twins. Did this rule change?

[USAFChief]

A refresher on waiver rules:

https://www.mlb.com/glossary/transactions/outright-waivers

Some highlights:

-Any of the 29 other teams can make a claim.

-Priority for being awarded a claim is by reverse order by winning percentage at time of award. League not a factor. Ties awarded to worst winning percentage prior season. 

-Winning a claim means team takes on remaining salary obligations. 

-Winning team must place player on 40 man.

 

...

I can't find it, but I believe the waiver period is 72 hours.

Edit: Based on the Elias Diaz on waivers piece in MLBTradeRumors, it looks like the waiver process might be 24 hours. If I'm reading it correctly. 

[Rod Carews Birthday]

I'll put this on my list of things to hope for, but not hold my breath on. 

 

[SwainZag]

League use to be a factor, not sure when they changed it. 

I'll still surprised the Rangers didn't sell at the deadline.   Still coming off the high from last year with the "we can go on a run" mentality might have been a factor though. Yates or Leclerc would have been fantastic additions.

[Linus]

59 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

A refresher on waiver rules:

https://www.mlb.com/glossary/transactions/outright-waivers

Some highlights:

-Any of the 29 other teams can make a claim.

-Priority for being awarded a claim is by reverse order by winning percentage at time of award. League not a factor. Ties awarded to worst winning percentage prior season. 

-Winning a claim means team takes on remaining salary obligations. 

-Winning team must place player on 40 man.

 

...

I can't find it, but I believe the waiver period is 72 hours.

Thanks. 

[Fire Dan Gladden]

No, No. No.  Stop reverting back to these articles and discussions that are complete fantasy.  Never mind the waiver process and availability of players...

THE TWINS ARE NOT GOING TO SPEND ANY MONEY!!!!!

[Jocko87]

No reason why they wouldn't put claims in for the very best candidates.  The depth of the roster would keep them from claiming a ton of folks.  I'm putting a claim on Scherzer but not many other starters, preferring the cost and fit of relievers.   I'm still at a stud starter or nothing.

Very interesting strategy considering these rules are relatively new.  They almost certainly affect deadline values as Falvey and others scout of the Rangers would have seen this as a good possibility. 

Quote

if the Pohlads were willing to spend another $2-4 million, which (rumor has it) they were unwilling to do at the deadline.

Where?  Who has this rumor?  Show me one report, even non-credible, that the Pohlads nixed a trade over money.  Stop with this crap.  I'm begging for one bit of actual journalism or editorial standards to pass onto this site.  Didn't even bother to hot-link something that didn't say what you inferred.  Terrible.  Stop it.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if your Twinkies can't add $2m waiver claim for an obvious roster improvement, the news is so, so much worse than even your most Minnesota woe is me cry fest could imagine.

[Doctor Gast]

It's nice to dream. If this did happen, odds are the Twins would come up empty again. Chances are better that our competitors KC & BOS could come up with an Eovaldi, Swerzer, Robertson or Kirby. You stated that BOS is cutting, IMO BOS could come up with the money faster than MN. Being realistic I'm secretly hoping that TX doesn't do anything like this because that could put KC & Boston in a position to overtake us & send us home early.

[Fatbat]

Oh boy, you got some guys worked up.  You can wish in one hand…. That old saying that Slim always says while doing shots….

[Karbo]

I could see a couple of teams below the Twins making claims, if no other reason than blocking the Twins from improving. That's kind of what happened last year with Cle. as I remember.

[USAFChief]

6 hours ago, Jocko87 said:

 

Where?  Who has this rumor?  Show me one report, even non-credible, that the Pohlads nixed a trade over money.  Stop with this crap.  I'm begging for one bit of actual journalism or editorial standards to pass onto this site.  Didn't even bother to hot-link something that didn't say what you inferred.  Terrible.  Stop it.

 

https://www.si.com/mlb/twins/minnesota-twins-rumors/report-twins-hindered-by-money-issues-ahead-of-trade-deadline-01j3g49qjxtz

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/07/twins-reportedly-working-with-payroll-limitations-at-trade-deadline.html

https://www.si.com/mlb/twins/minnesota-twins-rumors/report-twins-are-hamstrung-in-making-move-ahead-of-mlb-trade-deadline-01j3x377np61

 

Terrible post. Stop it.

[Trov]

How does a no trade clause work if the person is put on outright waivers? There is no longer trade waivers, so if Scherzer gets put on waivers, I am not sure if he can block someone taking him, because outright waivers is non revocable and is releasing the player.  Texas would do this expecting teams to take the players because they could help for playoffs but they get nothing in return only the money off the books.  If the player goes unclaimed, then they are a FA, making the money from Texas and can sign with whoever, but normally the team does the waivers so that it covers the time that if you pass they could not be used on post season roster. 

Personally, I think there are several players the Twins would be willing to take.  Max is currently on 15 day IL, and has not been his HOF self, father time may have caught up to him, but he still may be worth to try to use for a playoff run one last time.  Eovaldi would be upgrade too.  We could use plenty of pen help. I could see several claims if all are put on waivers. 

[Karbo]

1 hour ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

If I recall correctly from last year teams below us can claim multiple players.  It's not claim one player and then go to the bottom of the list.  That's why the Guardians got 2 or 3 players and we did not have a chance at even one of them.  I doubt that they do this for a starter but I could see putting a claim in on one of the cheaper relief pitchers.

It would almost be like poetic justice for the Twins to block Cle. this year.

[Otaknam]

It’s now obvious that the Pohlads are focused on making money, not winning baseball games. Someone forgot to tell them you have to spend money to make money, so I’m not expecting any move to claim a starter if they are released. 

[LambchoP]

I don't see the Rangers just dropping these guys just to shed payroll, but even if they did, I'm sure most would get claimed by the time the picks got to us. Also, if the Twins wouldn't add payroll at the deadline, why would they add now. I'd love to see it, as we're more desperate for pitching now than we were then, I just don't see anything happening. Ownership basically said roll with what you got after the deadline. Who knows, maybe they'll surprise us. A veteran starter or another bullpen arm could help our playoff chances big time!

[Mike Sixel]

Would be great if they could get a guy or two. Not happening for many reasons, I'd guess 

Priority, money being the two big reasons 

[Jocko87]

2 hours ago, USAFChief said:

https://www.si.com/mlb/twins/minnesota-twins-rumors/report-twins-hindered-by-money-issues-ahead-of-trade-deadline-01j3g49qjxtz

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/07/twins-reportedly-working-with-payroll-limitations-at-trade-deadline.html

https://www.si.com/mlb/twins/minnesota-twins-rumors/report-twins-are-hamstrung-in-making-move-ahead-of-mlb-trade-deadline-01j3x377np61

 

Terrible post. Stop it.

For those that read past headlines, that's not what those articles say.

It's circular reporting, remember playing the telephone game?

[bean5302]

1 hour ago, Otaknam said:

It’s now obvious that the Pohlads are focused on making money, not winning baseball games. Someone forgot to tell them you have to spend money to make money, so I’m not expecting any move to claim a starter if they are released. 

The Pohlad family has always been focused on the business aspect of baseball. It's not that they do not want to win, it's they won't accept a business losing money. That's just a family thing. Carl Pohlad was immensely successful while cultivating a reputation as a very generous, honorable and charitable person. He did not accept losses from his businesses. That's something which has been instilled into his sons who own the Twins.

I will fault the Pohlad's on what I feel is a short-sightedness, and poor business management issues (nepotism, lack of accountability, poor management choices) and a failure to make mistakes up to their customer base this year (TV debacle), but there are precious few major sports owners willing to lose money in terms of net operating income or run a negative cash flow as a practice.

[bean5302]

First off all, putting player on waivers means irrevocable only at this point. There are only two waivers options left.

1) Outright waivers. - Any team can claim the contract, if the player passes through waivers, they can be outrighted off the 40 man. Any player with 5 years of service time can reject the outright. Any player with 3+ years of service time or having been previously outrighted can opt for free agency instead of accepting the outright.
2) Unconditional release waivers. Used when the player is going to reject the outright. At the end of the waiver, the player is released and the waiving team would then be responsible for all remaining money for the existing contract.

There are no trades. Period. Thus NTC's do not apply. Any players on the new team's roster prior to 9/1 are eligible for the playoffs.

[USAFChief]

1 hour ago, Jocko87 said:

For those that read past headlines, that's not what those articles say.

It's circular reporting, remember playing the telephone game?

 

Oh ferpetesakes. You asked for "one report even non credible." 

I gave you multiple. From different sources. All quite credible.

Mark Feinsand.

Jeff Passan, quoted directly. 

Bob Nightingale. 

Nationally recognized reporters. On the record. With quotes. Not sourcing each other.

Locally, Gleeman:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5670091/2024/07/31/twins-trade-deadline-takeaways/

 

You've been on this silly take for weeks now. You lack any credibility on the subject of payroll. 

Just stop. 

 

 

 

[USAFChief]

39 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Would be great if they could get a guy or two. Not happening for many reasons, I'd guess 

Priority, money being the two big reasons 

Plus Texas hasn't waived anyone, and it'd be a really bad look if they did.

[jmlease1]

Yates doesn't throw lefty, but he'd still be a great add. I'd be very interested in Eovaldi or Scherzer, especially considering our injury situations. Less interested in any of the other RH relievers or Heaney (who hasn't actually been that good).

but I kind of doubt that the Rangers will actually waive a bunch of guys or even if they do that the twins will even get a shot on some of these guys because of waiver priority.