The Los Angeles Angels sent shockwaves throughout the baseball industry on Tuesday when they placed starting pitcher Lucas Giolito, outfielders Randal Grichuk and Hunter Renfroe, and relievers Matt Moore and Reynaldo Lopez on waivers.
MLB teams will have the opportunity to claim each player for no acquisition cost. Teams would be required to pay the remainder of their salaries. If all players are claimed, it would save the Angels around $7 million on their 2023 payroll – which would help them fall below the first tier of the $233 million competitive-balance-tax threshold.
In addition to the Angels players, among other players placed on waivers include New York Yankees outfielder Harrison Bader, Chicago White Sox starter Mike Clevinger, Cleveland Guardians reliever Daniel Norris and New York Mets starter Carlos Carrasco, according to sources familiar with the situation.
Here is insight into each player, combined with potential fits.
MLB Rumors: Fits for Lucas Giolito, Harrison Bader and more waiver surprises
Lucas Giolito, Angels
It was less than a month ago when the Angels parted with two of their top-five prospects to acquire Giolito. Since the trade, he has a 6.89 ERA in six starts in Anaheim and now the team is willing to part with him for nothing.
Ouch.
Giolito, who is in the final year of his contract, feels like a certainty to be claimed. There are many contending teams that could make sense for Giolito. But there's one fit that stands out above the others, and it's the Los Angeles Dodgers who could use another starting pitcher. Besides, look at the work they've done with rebuilding Lance Lynn.
Who's to say that they can't do the same for Giolito?
Potential fit: Dodgers
Mike Clevinger, Chicago White Sox
The White Sox held trade discussions with other teams about Clevinger ahead of the deadline, according to sources, but no deal was consummated.
Clevinger not being traded likely stemmed from just coming off the Injured List in late July, and having limited innings coming off injury. But he is healthy and has been very useful for the White Sox this season – he has a 3.32 ERA in 18 starts – and is signed to a reasonable one-year, $12 million contract for the 2023 season. There's a shot he gets claimed.
Potential fit: Atlanta Braves
Hunter Renfroe, Angels
While Giolito and Clevinger have chances to be traded, I do not envision that to be the case for Renfroe.
Renfroe, 31, has hit 18 home runs this season but is slashing .239/.300/.425, which would be his worst since 2020. He has been on five teams in five seasons (San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers and Angels). I don't envision him adding a sixth team to that list. A trade here is highly, highly unlikely.
Potential fit: Nowhere
Harrison Bader, Yankees
Bader has struggled mightily in recent weeks, and is barely seeing playing time against right-handed pitchers. But he has thrived against left-handed pitching – he's hitting .365/.406/.730 with a 1.136 OPS in 69 plate appearances against lefties – and that, combined with his Gold Glove defense, make him a strong candidate to be claimed.
Same with the fact that any team that claims Bader would only have to pay him around $1 million for the remainder of the season, which is a bargain for a player of his caliber. He would also be postseason eligible too. This makes a ton of sense for a team with a big outfield and likes to platoon their outfielders.
Potential fit: San Francisco Giants
