In baseball, waivers are an important mechanism that teams use to manage their rosters and make player transactions. When a player is waived, other teams have the opportunity to claim them for their own roster, and the team with the worst record gets priority.
Recently, the Los Angeles Dodgers waived outfielder Trayce Thompson, and he was subsequently claimed off waivers by the New York Yankees.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the possible reasons why the Dodgers waived Thompson and what his move to the Yankees could mean for both teams. We’ll also provide background information on Thompson and an overview of how the waiver process works in baseball.
Background Information on Trayce Thompson
Trayce Thompson is a 30-year-old outfielder who was born in Los Angeles, California. He is the younger brother of NBA superstar Klay Thompson. Trayce was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the second round of the 2009 MLB draft and made his major league debut with the team in 2015.
During his rookie season, Thompson impressed with a .295 batting average, 13 home runs, and 32 RBIs in just 44 games. However, his production dropped off in subsequent seasons, and he was traded to the Dodgers in December 2015 as part of a three-team trade.
With the Dodgers, Thompson has been primarily used as a reserve outfielder and pinch-hitter. He has also spent time in the minor leagues, including a stint with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers in 2019.
Overall, Thompson’s career highlights and achievements include a strong rookie campaign with the White Sox, as well as his current status as a major league player with several years of experience.
Why Do Teams Put Players on Waivers?
Waivers are a process by which a team can remove a player from their roster and make them available to be claimed by other teams.
When a player is placed on waivers, other teams have the opportunity to claim that player for their own roster within a set period of time. If multiple teams place a claim, the team with the worst record gets priority.
Reasons for Putting Players on Waivers
Poor performance: If a player is not performing up to expectations or is struggling, a team may choose to put them on waivers to see if they can be claimed by another team.
Injury: If a player is injured and the team needs to free up a roster spot, they may place the injured player on waivers with the hope that another team will claim them and take on their contract.
Roster space: If a team needs to make room on their roster for a new acquisition, they may put a player on waivers to clear up space.
How the Waiver Process Works in Baseball
When a player is placed on waivers, other teams are notified and have a set period of time to make a claim. The claiming team takes on the player’s current contract and must add the player to their own 40-man roster.
If multiple teams place a claim, the team with the worst record gets priority. If no team claims the player, the original team can either keep the player on their roster or send them to the minor leagues, release them, or trade them.
Why Do Teams Put Players on Waivers?
Waivers are a process by which a team can remove a player from their roster and make them available to be claimed by other teams.
When a player is placed on waivers, other teams have the opportunity to claim that player for their own roster within a set period of time. If multiple teams place a claim, the team with the worst record gets priority.
Reasons for Putting Players on Waivers
Poor performance: If a player is not performing up to expectations or is struggling, a team may choose to put them on waivers to see if they can be claimed by another team.
Injury: If a player is injured and the team needs to free up a roster spot, they may place the injured player on waivers with the hope that another team will claim them and take on their contract.
Roster space: If a team needs to make room on their roster for a new acquisition, they may put a player on waivers to clear up space.
How the Waiver Process Works in Baseball
When a player is placed on waivers, other teams are notified and have a set period of time to make a claim. The claiming team takes on the player’s current contract and must add the player to their own 40-man roster.
If multiple teams place a claim, the team with the worst record gets priority. If no team claims the player, the original team can either keep the player on their roster or send them to the minor leagues, release them, or trade them.
Possible Reasons Why the Dodgers Waived Trayce Thompson
Poor Performance
One possible reason why the Dodgers waived Trayce Thompson is due to his lack of consistent production on the field. Despite showing promise early in his career, Thompson’s batting average dropped to .122 in 2018, and he only played in 4 major league games in 2019.
Injury Concerns
Thompson has also dealt with injuries throughout his career, including back issues and multiple stress fractures in his back that caused him to miss significant time in 2018. If the Dodgers had concerns about his long-term health, they may have decided to waive him to avoid any future risk.
Roster Space Issues
As with any team, the Dodgers need to manage their roster and make room for new acquisitions. If they needed to clear up space on their roster, waiving Thompson may have been a necessary move.
Other Potential Factors
There could be other factors at play as well, such as financial considerations or a desire to give playing time to younger players. Without more information from the Dodgers, it’s difficult to say for sure what motivated their decision to waive Thompson.
Impact of Trayce Thompson’s Waiver Claim by the Yankees
Yankees’ Interest in Thompson
The fact that the Yankees claimed Trayce Thompson off waivers indicates that they see potential in him and believe that he could be a valuable addition to their team. It’s possible that the Yankees see Thompson as a low-risk, high-reward player who could contribute in a variety of ways.
Potential Role on the Yankees
Thompson is known for his versatility as an outfielder, which could be a valuable asset for the Yankees. He has played all three outfield positions and has a strong arm, which could make him a valuable defensive replacement or spot starter.
Additionally, if Thompson is able to rediscover his form at the plate, he could provide some additional depth to the Yankees’ lineup.
Impact on the Dodgers
The Dodgers likely waived Thompson with the understanding that he would be claimed by another team, so his departure is not a surprise. However, the fact that the Yankees claimed him could be seen as a missed opportunity for the Dodgers.
If Thompson is able to contribute in a significant way for the Yankees, it may raise questions about why the Dodgers were not able to get more out of him during his time with the team.
The Reasons Why Teams May Put Players on Waivers
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Poor performance | If a player is not meeting expectations or is struggling to produce on the field, a team may choose to place them on waivers to free up a roster spot. |
| Injury | If a player is dealing with a long-term injury or has a history of health issues, a team may decide to put them on waivers to move on from the player and avoid paying their salary. |
| Roster space | Sometimes a team needs to clear space on their roster to make room for new acquisitions or to give younger players a chance to play. |
| Other potential factors | There may be other factors at play, such as off-field issues or a player’s attitude, that could lead a team to put them on waivers. |
This table summarizes the possible reasons why a team might place a player on waivers, including poor performance, injury, roster space, and other potential factors.
By placing a player on waivers, a team can make room on their roster for new acquisitions or give younger players a chance to play, while also freeing themselves of the player’s salary obligations.
FAQs
What happens when a player is placed on waivers?
When a player is placed on waivers, it means that their team has made them available for other teams to claim. Any team can claim the player within a certain time period, and the team with the highest waiver priority is awarded the player.
Can a team withdraw a player from waivers?
Yes, a team can withdraw a player from waivers if they change their mind or if they are able to work out a trade with the team that claimed the player.
What is waiver priority?
Waiver priority is determined by the inverse order of the current standings in each league. The team with the worst record in the league has the highest waiver priority, while the team with the best record has the lowest priority.
Can a player refuse a waiver claim?
No, a player cannot refuse a waiver claim. If a player is claimed off waivers, they are automatically assigned to their new team.
What happens if a player is not claimed off waivers?
If a player is not claimed off waivers, they can be assigned to a minor league team, released, or traded to any team.
Conclusion
Trayce Thompson’s waiver claim by the Yankees represents a new opportunity for the outfielder to prove himself at the major league level. The reasons for the Dodgers waiving him are not entirely clear, but poor performance, injury concerns, and roster space issues are all possible factors.
For the Yankees, Thompson’s versatility and potential could make him a valuable addition to their roster. Meanwhile, the Dodgers will need to move forward without Thompson and hope that the players they have on their roster can step up and fill the void.
The waiver process is an important tool for teams to manage their rosters and make changes when necessary, and Thompson’s case is just one example of how it can impact the course of a player’s career.
