The Washington Nationals placed many players on revocable trade waivers this week, including star Bryce Harper, according to a report.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal shared the news, noting that teams placing players on revocable waivers at this point in the year is extremely common.
#Nationals put a number of players on revocable trade waivers yesterday, including Harper and Murphy, sources tell The Athletic. Team’s intentions not clear; virtually every player goes on waivers as matter of procedure this time of year. Nats 7 games out in NL East, 5 1/2 in WC.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 18, 2018
Although the “trade deadline” in MLB passed, trades can still be made. The difference is the previous deadline is for non-waiver trades. Now players can either be claimed by a team off waivers, at which point a trade could be made. Or if the player passes through waivers going unclaimed, the team can then trade the player anywhere. A player who is claimed off waivers can also be revoked so that he remains with his original team.
Rosenthal isn’t sure why Harper was placed on waivers but speculates that it’s to give the Nats more options.
Harper owed ~$5M, Murphy ~$4M. Both potential FAs. Nats might simply want to see if they clear, giving GM Rizzo option to make deal before 8/31 if team fades. Harper seems less likely to move. Rizzo at non-waiver deadline: “Bryce is not going anywhere. I believe in this team.”
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 18, 2018
Even though the Nats have said that Harper isn’t going anywhere, this seems to show at least some level of willingness to trade him.
