I saw that MLB Trade Rumors had an ongoing post of people that had cleared waivers, meaning that they are now free to be dealt. Those deals must be done by August 31…actually, deals can be done after August 31 but those people would be ineligible for any playoff rosters. One of the things that happens during the August waiver trade period is that rival teams will often claim a player they know their competitor may be after. (The Yankees and Red Sox were notorious for this). For example, the Indians could’ve claimed Delmon Young…then the Twins either have to pull him back off waivers and scrap the trade, let the Indians have him for nothing (except the salary he’s due), or try to work out a trade with the Indians instead. No matter how you slice it, Detroit wouldn’t have gotten Young. You do run the risk of a team being like “okay, he’s yours” like the Blue Jays did with Alex Rios and the White Sox a while back. Anyway, here’s a link to the players who have cleared so far: http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/08/players-who-cleared-waivers.html

I honestly wondered about a Thome-Tribe reunion, but prior to July 31, the Twins still considered themselves in it. Now that they’re pretty much out if, I wondered about a trade prior to August 31…I think the Twins only do it if Thome has already hit 600. I think they’d like to see him hit the milestone in a Twins uniform if possible.

Someone asked me yesterday if I thought Albert Pujols had any chance of coming to the Tribe and I laughed hysterically. Not that I wouldn’t love him (or Fielder) but I still just can’t picture them springing for it, even with the other salary off the books. Stranger things have happened though!

Also, saw DET traded for Delmon Young. I don’t know exactly how the August trades work (ie, diff between post-trade deadline trades and pre-trade deadline trades), but are the Indians in the mix to add a bat? What about a Thome-Tribe reunion?