Yesterday I looked at American League players who are going to get through waivers. Now let’s look at the National League.
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Jayson Werth, OF—Washington Nationals
Werth has a full no-trade clause and is due around $100 million from now through 2017. He’s just returned from a wrist injury. By playoff time, the Nationals will benefit from his presence; he’s got playoff experience from his Phillies’ days and has had success while there.
Jason Bay, LF—New York Mets
He might as well take over as GM for any club that claimed him because that job would be open immediately upon his arrival. He might be traded somewhere in an exchange of contracts.
Andres Torres, CF—New York Mets
Someone might take him for a low-level prospect. He’s under team control for 2013, but the Mets are going to non-tender him if he’s still with the organization.
Jose Reyes, SS—Miami Marlins
There’s $96 million on his deal from 2013-2016. Given the way the Marlins operate, it’s safe to say that another team is going to be paying it off sooner or later. Maybe sooner. Maybe later. Who knows? No one’s claiming him. He’s not a player around whom to build.
Mark Buehrle, LHP—Miami Marlins
The contract: $11 million in 2013; $18 million in 2014; $19 million in 2015.
With the new ballpark and the pressure on the front office, the Marlins have to put forth the pretense of being competitive in 2013 and Buehrle can still pitch while not costing much for his skills in 2013.
Given the history of the Marlins under Jeffrey Loria, what did the agents of these players—Reyes and Buehrle—think when they got these backloaded deals? That this time there wouldn’t be a sell-off? This time they were going to keep the team together, win or lose? Reyes and Buehrle wanted their guaranteed money and they got it. They might be playing in space by the time the contracts bloat, but so what? They’re getting paid.
Carlos Lee, 1B/OF—Miami Marlins
He has a no-trade clause to 14 teams and isn’t afraid to exercise it. Someone will take him in late August as a righty bat off the bench hoping that a change wakes up his power bat. He’s a free agent at the end of the season.
Carlos Zambrano, RHP—Miami Marlins
The Cubs are paying most of his salary, but he’s been dreadful. The Marlins will end up just releasing him. Barring seven straight no-hitters, Zambrano’s contract kicker for 2013 (activated if he’s in the top 4 of the NL Cy Young voting this season) is not going to be activated. In that event, he also has to be judged “healthy” at the end of this season. Whether that’s physically and mentally is unknown. He has a no-trade clause, but why wouldn’t he waive it?
Ricky Nolasco, RHP—Miami Marlins
He’s signed for 2013 at $11.5 million. Claim him and they’ll give him to you.
Heath Bell, RHP—Miami Marlins
HA!!!!
John Buck, C—Miami Marlins
He’s batting under .200 and hits the occasional homer. He’s owed $6 million for 2013 and throws well enough from behind the plate.
Greg Dobbs, 3B/OF/PH—Miami Marlins
He signed a 2-year, $3 million contract for 2012-2013 and has pop off the bench. Someone like the Tigers would take him for the stretch run.
Ryan Howard, 1B—Philadelphia Phillies
$105 million on his deal through 2016 and is batting under .200 since returning from Achilles tendon surgery.
Chase Utley, 2B—Philadelphia Phillies
He might be worth a claim since he’s signed through 2013 at $15 million. His knees are a major issue, but he can hit.
Jonathan Papelbon, RHP—Philadelphia Phillies
$13 million guaranteed annually through 2015 with a $13 million vesting option. It would take a lot of courage for a team to claim him and for the Phillies to simply let him go. They have designs on contending in 2013, so they won’t dump Papelbon.
Jimmy Rollins, SS—Philadelphia Phillies
Take him and watch him plummet.
Placido Polanco, INF—Philadelphia Phillies
He’s a free agent at the end of the season and is hurt. If he’s healthy by late-August, someone might take him if the Phillies pay his buyout.
Kyle Kendrick, RHP—Philadelphia Phillies
He’s set to make $4.5 million in 2013 and isn’t very good.
Clint Barmes, SS—Pittsburgh Pirates
He’s hitting .211 and is signed for 2013 at $5.5 million.
Francisco Rodriguez, RHP—Milwaukee Brewers
K-Rod will get through and be traded for nothing in late August. Perhaps being in a pennant race as a set-up man will get him back in form—possibly with the Angels or Rangers.
Randy Wolf, LHP—Milwaukee Brewers
He’s a free agent at the end of the season and could help a contending club as a back-of-the-rotation veteran.
Aramis Ramirez, 3B—Milwaukee Brewers
He has a guaranteed $30 million coming to him beginning next season and no one’s taking that.
Alfonso Soriano, LF—Chicago Cubs
The Cubs will have to pay his salary of $36 million in 2013-2014 or take a similar contract, but he still has power and someone would take/exchange him.
Carlos Marmol, RHP—Chicago Cubs
A $9.8 million salary for 2013 makes him essentially unmovable unless the Cubs pay it. He still strikes people out, so someone would probably take him for free.
Barry Zito, LHP—San Francisco Giants
There’s $27 million remaining on his contract in 2013 with the buyout.
Juan Uribe, INF—Los Angeles Dodgers
What a disaster. And he’s got $8 million on his deal for 2013.
Rafael Betancourt, RHP—Colorado Rockies
He’s an effective reliever, but has $4.5 million due him in 2013 with a buyout for 2014. The Rockies probably won’t move him whether he’s claimed or not.
Ramon Hernandez, C—Colorado Rockies
He’s a backup making $3.2 million in 2013.
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