Major League Baseball's Monday non-waiver trade deadline has come and gone, but that doesn't mean that there won't be any more transactions.
Players that are put on waivers and clear them, or players who aren't on their team's 40-man roster could still be dealt and would be eligible for the postseason before Aug. 31.
Here are some of the first names that have popped up in rumors for possible post-deadline moves:
Yasiel Puig
Things are not hunky-dory in Tinseltown between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Yasiel Puig.
According to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal, the Dodgers left the struggling outfielder in Los Angeles as they embarked toward Colorado to play the Rockies:
Puig, 25, stormed off after arriving at Dodger Stadium and being informed that he would either be traded or sent to the minors, according to major-league sources... He was not traded before the non-waiver deadline at 4 p.m. ET, but the team's immediate plan for him is unclear.
However, Puig's agent Adam Katz corrected Rosenthal that Puig was never at Dodger Stadium. He also provided a timetable for Puig's next move, saying:
I'm told he never went to the park. The club informed me and the player understood clearly that they were making every to trade him and that if they were unable to come to terms with another club on a trade—and successful in acquiring another outfielder—that he likely would be demoted. My understanding is that transaction will happen tomorrow.
In 81 games this season, Puig is batting .260 with seven home runs and 34 RBI. Those are underachieving numbers for a highly touted Cuban defector who signed a seven-year, $42 million deal in 2012, per Spotrac.
His struggles forced the Dodgers to acquire outfielder Josh Reddick before Monday's trade deadline from the Oakland Athletics as a possible replacement.
With this latest blow-up and his inability to produce, MLB Network's Jon Morosi speculated that it is "very possible" Puig will clear waivers.
Puig was also placed on waivers after last season's trade deadline, but he was pulled off of the wire on Aug. 12.
Juan Uribe
The Cleveland Indians designated veteran infielder Juan Uribe for assignment on Monday after 73 games with the team:
The 37-year-old will now look for a new home once again. He's batted .206 with seven home runs and 25 RBI this season, as he hits waivers.
It could be an old team that possibly comes calling for him, though.
Shortly after the deadline passed, New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson was asked about the now-available Uribe, via Anthony DiComo of MLB.com:
Uribe only hit .219 with six home runs and 20 RBI in 43 games with the Mets in 2015. But the depth he provided and his veteran presence helped them reach the NLDS before he was sidelined by a chest injury.
The Mets have been in dire need of an offensive boost and made strides to improve on an offense that averaged just 3.66 runs per game entering Monday night, third-worst in the majors. On Monday, they announced the acquisition of Jay Bruce from the Cincinnati Reds, a 2016 All-Star who has smashed 25 home runs and 80 RBI this season.
While Uribe wouldn't be the one to spark an offensive turnaround in New York, getting him back on the Mets bench to provide quality at-bats when needed could provide a boost.
Carlos Ruiz
Philadelphia Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz is one of the last remaining links to the team's 2008 World Series-winning team. But at 37 years old, his time at Citizens Bank Park seems to be winding down.
MLB Network's Jon Morosi speculated Monday after the deadline that Ruiz "could clear waivers and be moved in August."
In 40 games this season as Cameron Rupp's backup, Ruiz is batting .255 with three home runs and 11 RBI. Never really an offensive force throughout his 11-year career, an aging catcher who still plays solid defense could be a target of a contending team looking for a veteran addition behind the plate.
Even if he can't provide much on the field, he can bring something to the bench. Younger, more inexperienced players can learn from Ruiz. Rupp benefited from Ruiz's experience in Philadelphia, via Michael Marcantonini of CSN Philadelphia:
We talk in between innings, after games, before games. When we need to make an adjustment, he'll ask me questions as well because he's still trying to learn, if I've seen a guy that I faced in the minor leagues for a few years or vice versa...I mean, that guy knows every hitter in the National League. He knows every pitcher that he's caught.
For a National League team expecting to make a playoff run this season, having that kind of intel in the clubhouse could be an invaluable asset to have in October.
Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.
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