The Nats released Lo Duca today, would he be a good backup to go after? His stats over the last year or so are abysmal, but would he be better than Cash? Perhaps. They released Felipe Lopez as well.

"Andy MacPhail feels that the Orioles will actually be more active in August than in July. Jeff Zrebiec and Dan Connolly suggest that several players, including Kevin Millar, Jay Payton and Ramon Hernandez could be had in August."

"Brian Sabean is confident that he will be able to sneak some of his veteran players (Rich Aurilia, Omar Vizquel, Randy Winn, Bengie Molina, etc.) through waivers in the coming month for the purpose of making a trade."

And, of course, other players could be had. Any ideas?

(P.S. Yes, I can look up Cash & LoDuca's 2008 stats)

Lo Duca
2008 46 G .230/.301/.281

Cash
2008 38 G .235/.296/.357


Also Lo Duca, .133 (2/15) throwing out runners in '08 vs. .311 (14/45).


Cash has significantly more pop, can handle a knuckleball, and can throw out some runners. There is also the whole steroid thing that would be another big negative in going after Lo Duca.

Waiver trade candidates from MLBTR:

American League --

* Rays: Trever Miller, Jonny Gomes. Gomes is already earning $1.275MM this year; he might be a non-tender candidate after the season. Miller is earning $2MM. Both are having poor seasons.

* Red Sox: Jason Varitek, Julio Lugo, Mike Timlin, Alex Cora. These players should pass through waivers unclaimed, but no one will want to trade for them. Lugo has $20.8MM remaining on his contract.

* Yankees: Jason Giambi, Derek Jeter, Bobby Abreu, Johnny Damon, Ivan Rodriguez, Carl Pavano. Many of the Yanks' high-priced stars could clear waivers, but trading them wouldn't make sense. Pavano could be moved in the right situation.

* Blue Jays: Scott Rolen, Vernon Wells, Lyle Overbay, Gregg Zaun. The Jays don't seem likely to attempt to unload any of these contracts, except maybe Zaun. Jon Heyman believes A.J. Burnett could also slip through waivers.

* Orioles: Aubrey Huff, Melvin Mora, Ramon Hernandez, Jay Payton, Jamie Walker. It's not hard to envision most of these guys clearing waivers, and maybe a few salary dump deals can be worked out. Huff's .912 OPS ranks 10th in the AL, and he has about $10.5MM left on his contract through '09. I could see a team claiming him.

* Twins: Michael Cuddyer, Mike Lamb, Adam Everett. These players should all clear waivers. Lamb and Everett could become DFA candidates.

* White Sox: Jim Thome, Ken Griffey Jr., Paul Konerko, Jose Contreras, A.J. Pierzynski, Juan Uribe, Mike MacDougal. The Sox have plenty of high-priced vets who could make it through waivers. Konerko would be tough to move given his poor performance and 10-and-5 rights.

* Tigers: Gary Sheffield, Edgar Renteria, Kenny Rogers, Todd Jones, Dontrelle Willis, Nate Robertson. The Tigers are seven games out in the AL Central; a few weeks from now they might look to get some money off the books.

* Royals: Jose Guillen, Jimmy Gobble, Ross Gload. Gobble and Gload don't seem likely to help a contender, while the Royals apparently want to keep Guillen. Jon Heyman believes Mark Grudzielanek would clear.

* Indians: Paul Byrd, David Dellucci, Jamey Carroll. Byrd has almost $2.5MM left on his deal, but we could still see a team put in a claim. Jon Heyman thinks Byrd will clear waivers.

* Angels: Garret Anderson, Gary Matthews Jr., Justin Speier. The Halos have some questionable contracts, but trades are not expected.

* Rangers: Kevin Millwood, Vicente Padilla, Michael Young, Frank Catalanotto, Marlon Byrd. It wouldn't be surprising to see Catalanotto and/or Byrd moved this month. Padilla is owed more than $17MM through '09. If a team claims that contract maybe the Rangers should let him go.

* Athletics: Eric Chavez, Emil Brown. An August deal seems unlikely for the A's.

* Mariners: Carlos Silva, Jarrod Washburn, Miguel Batista, Jose Vidro, Kenji Johjima, Miguel Cairo. All kinds of bad money here. Washburn has another $13.45MM coming through '09, but he might be claimed. Jon Heyman believes Adrian Beltre would also clear waivers.

Interesting. Perhaps some interest from the Sox with Lowell possibly going on the DL for a while??

Shefield is on waviers
Will he slip through

I think, if Mike Lowell has to go on the DL, the Red Sox should stay within the organization and bring up Jeff Bailey. Bailey can share 1B with Mayor Casey and can also be the 4th outfielder and the #3 catcher. Bailey has extensive experience catching and pretty good defensive skills at 1B and C. Jeff has good power numbers as a RH hitter and should make a contribution.

I hope not...I don't think the Sox have a real use for him at this point – certainly not if playing time is his big issue in Detroit. The Rays might have a spot for him, though, with Longoria on the DL and Crawford possibly done for the year. Better if he doesn't make it that far.

Sheff is due 14 million next year. The Rays opening day payroll this year was a little over 43 million.

On the field, it definitely makes sense, but I think we can only pray they would shoot themselves in the foot by taking on that money.

The Dodgers have acquired Greg Maddux from the Padres, ESPN is reporting.

The Phillies have acquired former Red Sox player and Bangor, Maine, resident Matt Stairs from the Blue Jays, according to FOX Sports.com.