Phillies put Howard, Burnett and three others on waivers
May 23, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard (6) reacts after striking out to end the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park. The Dodgers won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The Philadelphia Phillies failed to make a trade before Thursday’s non-waiver trade deadline, but could make moves via waivers.
FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reports the Phillies placed Ryan Howard and A.J. Burnett on revocable trade waivers Saturday. Three others have also been put on waivers: relief pitcher Antonio Bastardo and starters Kyle Kendrick and Roberto Hernandez.
Source: #Phillies put their first set of players on revocable trade waivers Saturday - Burnett, Bastardo, Howard, Kendrick, R. Hernandez.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 4, 2014
Rosenthal reminds that just because players are placed on waivers does not mean they will move.
Nearly all players go on waivers in Aug. Those who clear can be traded. Those claimed can be pulled back or traded/awarded to claiming team.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 4, 2014
These could be the first of many Phillies to go on waivers, but some of these first five were big names in pre-deadline trade rumors.
Given Howard’s recent struggles, the Phillies may wish to part ways with him for the right deal. Other teams may be unlikely to deal for a player owed $25 million each of the next two seasons who batted a measly .165 in July. His average on the season is .215 and his presence in the lineup is not consistent.
Burnett and Bastardo both seemed very likely to be dealt before the non-waiver trade deadline. A player option for next season on Burnett’s contract seemed to be what deterred teams interested from proposing a trade to the Phillies. Bastardo also had many teams heavily scouting him, but nothing gained traction.
Kendrick (5-11) and Hernandez (6-8) are currently in the back end of a starting rotation without Cliff Lee, who is probably done for the season after a second left elbow strain this year. Lee’s name was thrown about in trade rumors before the injury.