Players on Waivers That Could Interest the D-backs

Which players that have reportedly been placed on waivers that could improve the D-backs roster in the final month.

Earlier today, reports came out that the Los Angeles Angels, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, and Chicago White Sox are placing players on expiring contracts on waivers. 

This practice is a means to give players who aren't likely receiving a qualifying offer a chance to latch onto a contender in time to be postseason eligible. The waiver priority goes by the reverse order standings, so it's possible that the Diamondbacks could be blocked by teams chasing them for a Wild Card spot. The D-backs would assume the remaining salary of the player they successfully claim.

These players could provide the team with a boost in the final month:

RHP Reynaldo López (Angels)

© Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Lopez may be the most coveted relief arm that's now available, so the odds of him making it to Arizona are very slim. Armed with an upper-90s fastball and two swing-and-miss secondaries, his strikeout rate has jumped to over 30% for the season. As an Angel, he's punched out 19 of 53 batters and pitching to a 2.31 ERA. The downside is he gives up a lot of loud contact, with nearly 10% of the contact he allows recorded as a barrel. That type of volatility could prove to be problematic with inherited runners, but he gives them another late inning arm along with Paul Sewald and Kevin Ginkel to allow the other relievers to pitch in more comfortable roles. 

LHP Matt Moore (Angels)

© Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The D-backs left-handed reliever depth has not been good this year. Andrew Chafin is now a Brewer, Kyle Nelson has struggled in medium and high leverage situations, and Joe Mantiply has been up and down this season. Moore has reverse platoon splits as a reliever, with an .841 OPS against left-handed hitters vs. .538 for right-handed hitters, but one area where he's been great this year has been in high leverage situations. According to Baseball Reference, he's held opposing hitters to a .163/.244/.263 batting line in high leverage situations. Moore could profile as the team's main high-leverage lefty while allowing Nelson and Mantiply to take on lower leverage situations.

CF Harrison Bader (Yankees)

© Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Bringing in Bader would allow the D-backs to shield Alek Thomas against left-handed pitching, and subsequently push Corbin Carroll to right field on an everyday basis. He's had a miserable run with the Yankees this season, hitting .242/.279/.370 in the Bronx, part of the reason why they've collapsed in August. He still has value as a lefty masher, with a .365/.406/.730 slash when holding the platoon advantage, who can play center field at a high level. With the roster expanding to 28, and the D-backs able to carry 14 position players, it makes sense to add a fifth outfielder.

RHP Mike Clevinger (White Sox)

© Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Clevinger gives the D-backs a potential starting pitcher option if they feel uncomfortable with both Brandon Pfaadt and Slade Cecconi being part of their playoff rotation. He has postseason pitching experience with Cleveland and San Diego, something that could be valuable for the rest of the rotation to learn from. Looking beyond his 3.32 ERA, there are some concerns with his peripherals. Clevinger's strikeout rate has dropped to 20.8% compared to a walk rate of 9.3%. Beyond just a 4.35 FIP, he has a 5.32 xFIP and a 4.22 xERA.

We'll find out Thursday if the D-backs try to make a move or elect to go to war with the players already in the organization as they try to end a six-year playoff drought.