Javier Lopez Put On Revocable Waivers

Say it isn’t so.

The Giants didn’t move Javier Lopez by the trade deadline on July 31. Why would they move him now? It’s not like the Giants are hurting for money, especially freeing up $13 million of  Zito’s $20 million salary in 2014 (this is assuming the Giants chose the buyout option of $7 million).

"Each August, teams will place a large number of players on revocable waivers to gauge interest in their trade value. Because the waivers are revocable, if a claiming team doesn’t make a suitable offer, the player’s original team can simply pull him back for nothing. Should that player be placed on waivers a second time, they are then irrevocable, so most players only hit waivers once. Should that player clear waivers, however, he’s eligible to be traded to any team. – Steve Adams (MLB Trade Rumors)"

I’m going to convince myself this means the Giants only want to see what they can get for him so they to offer him a good contract for the next few years. Probably not likely but whatever gets me through the day (or ten), right?  There have been a handful of relievers around the MLB  placed on waivers in the last week. It was first reported by Heyman today that Heath Bell was placed on revocable waivers.

Regardless of the intentions of the Giants, this news makes me sad. Although it did seem clear after the trade deadline there was mutual interest between Lopez and the Giants to sign him again next year.

There is no doubt every team wants, and needs, a lefty-specialist to come out of the bullpen. Lopez has a 1.99 ERA in 55 games this season with 31.2 innings pitched. In those innings he has allowed 25 hits, 9 R, 7 ER, 11, BB,. He has stuck out 29 batters and allowed zero  home runs. He has also been un-scored upon in 40 of his last 42 appearances.

Jun 26, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Javier Lopez (49) readies to throw against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the game at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

According to Fangraphs, Lopez is currently the #1 ranked left-handed reliever on the 2014 free agent market. August 31st is the waiver trade deadline.