August 2016 Waiver Wire Rumors and Deals

[andyb]

Well, Howard has seemed to hit better when he stopped facing lefties.

His bat looks a little quicker now to me. Warm weather helps old bones. He also did have some pretty bad BABIP luck early in the year. The days of Howard being more than .260-.280 in BABIP are over (.288 and .272 in 2014 and 2015 respectively) but he is at .196 even with this little hot streak. Make that .250 and he might be a consistent .750 OPS bat against RHP still. That is not much, but it is at least something if an AL (DH) club is interested in bringing him to Spring Training for a look.

[EastFallowfield]

He always seemed to get better as the season went along, kinda the opposite of Utley. I'm surprised he hasn't mentioned that when talking about his status. It's better for older guys to slump later in the season so there's still some good will built up.

[tom81]

Howard told the press he wants to play next year, but it still feels like both sides are content to finish out the year together. It's ironic, really, if he had pubicly said he wished the team would release him or move him to the AL, it would be hard to blame him, and a lot of us would be happy to hear it, but it would end up being a media soap opera.

My guess is he might make a roster out of ST next year, but doesn't last the season, he won't be good enough to avoid being replaced by a call-up, trade upgrade or just somebody more versatile. I'm skeptical that he'd be willing to sign with any team, too (i.e. he'll want a Florida spring training club and prefer the East or Midwest in general).

Both Howard and Ruiz want to play next year. m.phillies.mlb.com/news/article/ ... ill-elite/
My take is that they both would be excited to be traded this year to a contender to showcase that they have something left. It would also weaken the Phillies bargaining position IMO if Howard started talking to the press so I think he stays quiet, he has shown himself to be a class act. If the Phillies pick up Howard's salary and buyout I bet they could get something for him, at least a low level crap shoot type. Chooch is a more interesting case because of the lower buy out and his still perceived defensive value. I bet at least one gets traded this month.

[zambonir]

Yeah I still don't understand why there wasn't more Ruiz trade talk. He sounded like he wanted out, really. Not in a negative way, but he was definitely up for the opportunity for more playing time and a postseason, which would set him up for free agency (or maybe even to stay with his new team). I have to think the Phillies are hanging on to him because they haven't ruled out trading Rupp in November, in which case Ruiz could stay on with Alfaro or Knapp.

I'm sure Howard would go if the Phillies can find someone who wants him, but his pride is such that he still sees himself as a full-time 1B, not a platoon DH. If he were more eager to embrace the latter role, he'd be more eager for a trade. I don't think the Phillies have a bargaining position. He's been offered to all 29 teams at some point over the last two years. That they will pick up 100% of the money is a given. Nothing is going to boost or depress the potential return, which is still between zero and organizational fodder. It would merely be about moving on and giving Howard a dignified exit.

[Slinging_Southpaw]

Houston is the perfect landing spot.
Evan Gattis is listed as their back-up catcher/DH
1B has been a problem with no one stepping up(platoon Howard)
They still owe Colby Rasmus 5 million and he has been terrible of late and is now on the DL

Phillies eat all the salaries, send
Ryan Howard
Carlos Ruiz
Peter Bourjos

to Houston for

Colby Rasmus
A legit Prospect
and a Lottery Ticket.

[harrisburghusker]

Howard also seems better when he gets lots of rest and only plays 2-3 times per week

[donaldorc]

to Houston for
a Lottery Ticket.

Wasn't that supposed to be a bag of baseballs?

[Lawman]

to Houston for
a Lottery Ticket.

Wasn't that supposed to be a bag of baseballs?

Two Power Balls and one Mega Millions?

[nycphils]

I'd be surprised if Howard gets picked up next year by anyone, or if he does is guess he doesn't survive ST. He's old, slow, bench bat b/c DH is his only real position and most teams use that spot to rest starters on a rotating basis and he isnt going to ever earn full time status. Unfortunately I think this is it for him - remember the good times. A class act.

[VoteForKalas]

The Phillies have shown no interest or initiative to move Howard this season. They tried for several years without success and have clearly, to me, decided to ride out the year and buy him out. Howard has been a good soldier this season, I think after last season's kerfluffle with Sandberg and blow back he realized it was best to lay low and let the contract run out. He likely wanted more of a chance to make his case for next season, but understands the team is rebuilding and he is fortunate to still be here.

[tom81]

Howard's pinch hit bases clearing double off LA's closer couldn't have hurt his trade prospects

[scorcher]

I pulled out my crystal ball and saw that Howard will be a part time DH for the Yankees next season.

[Philsmania]

I pulled out my crystal ball and saw that Howard will be a part time DH for the Yankees next season.

I say the Rays, near his big mansion down in Clearwater.

[schooldoc]

So, who goes when the Phils activate Bourjos tomorrow? I'm guessing they DFA Paredes, but I suppose demoting Asche is not out of the question.

[California_Dreamin]

Cards Matt Holiday breaks his thumb and they are now looking for an outfielder. They know Peter Bourjos and must have liked him at one time and it would seem feasible for the Phils to at least put him on waivers and see A] if he gets claimed by the Cards or B] if he makes it through waivers and can be dealt.

I suspect the Cards would have interest in him.

[nycphils]

Howard also seems better when he gets lots of rest and doesnt play

FYP

[LoneStarPhan]

In past years, most teams put a majority of its players through revocable waivers in the first several days after the trade deadline. I suspect that has happened again this year but I have not seen reports of this as I recall in past years.

[julio]

In past years, most teams put a majority of its players through revocable waivers in the first several days after the trade deadline. I suspect that has happened again this year but I have not seen reports of this as I recall in past years.

MacPhail/Klentak appear to run a tighter front office than their predecessors.

[LoneStarPhan]

In past years, most teams put a majority of its players through revocable waivers in the first several days after the trade deadline. I suspect that has happened again this year but I have not seen reports of this as I recall in past years.

MacPhail/Klentak appear to run a tighter front office than their predecessors.

So are you suggesting they did already settle the waiver status of many players or that they didn't.

[julio]

In past years, most teams put a majority of its players through revocable waivers in the first several days after the trade deadline. I suspect that has happened again this year but I have not seen reports of this as I recall in past years.

MacPhail/Klentak appear to run a tighter front office than their predecessors.
So are you suggesting they did already settle the waiver status of many players or that they didn't.

I'm suggesting that they're less likely to leak what they've done, that's all. That's not a comment, one way or the other, on what they have done or not done. I don't know. I've discovered that I can live with uncertainty.