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Dodgers, Dunn, and the Waiver Rules

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Adam Dunn Claimed Off Waivers By “Mystery” Team


No one has said for sure what team has claimed Adam Dunn off waivers. People have speculated that it was the Dodgers that put in the claim, only to block teams like Phillies, Padres, and the Giants.

However, I see it a little different. The Dodgers obviously wanted to make the team better and did so before the July 31st trade deadline. However, with Manny’s comeback uncertain; the Dodgers can’t afford to sit back and wait for offense.

What We Know About Waiver Rules:


  • If a player is claimed by more than one team, the club with the worst record in that player’s league gets priority — and the player can be traded only to that team.
  • If a player is claimed only by teams in the other league, the club with the worst record in the other league gets priority — and the player can be traded just to that team.
  • If a deal can’t be worked out or the team doesn’t want to trade that player, he can be pulled back off waivers once in August. If he is placed on waivers again before September, he can’t be recalled a second time.
  • Or, if a team is just hoping to dump a player’s salary, it can simply allow a team which claimed that player to have him for a small waiver fee. If that happens, the team that gets the player has to pay his entire salary.



Options for Dodgers and Nationals:


  • The Nationals can pull Adam Dunn back and keep him. They would be allowed to put him back on waivers, however if they did that again and he was claimed (100% he would be), then the team that wins the claim gets him and only has to cover remaining salary.
  • The Nationals have until Tuesday Aug. 10th (at the latest) to work a deal with the Dodgers.
  • The Dodgers can only trade players not on their 40 man rosters, unless they clear waivers as well. So don’t expect to see any of our cheaper, core players in a deal.
  • The Nationals can just dump Dunn on the Dodgers leaving his remaining salary (roughly 4M) to the Dodgers. This is highly unlikely being Dunn will be a type A free agent and bring back 2 draft picks.


I personally think the Dodgers are the winners in the claim. I also believe a deal will get done. If the Nationals keep Dunn and don’t lock him up to a new contract then they only get 2 draft picks. However, if they pick up prospects from the Dodgers, they are receiving players whom will be ready sooner and have a proven minor league track record. However, the Nationals might talk to Dunn aggressively to see if they can work an extension, if they do that, than they would obviously pull him back.