4 players Pirates could claim off waivers by the end of August

If the Pirates are still in the race at the end of this month, they might be able to find some last minute reinforcements via waivers.

Jun 17, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Robbie Grossman (4) follows through on a two-run home run against the New York Mets during the third inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 17, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Robbie Grossman (4) follows through on a two-run home run against the New York Mets during the third inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports | Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports
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Hunter Strickland

The Los Angeles Angels held onto a few rentals at the trade deadline. One was right-hander Hunter Strickland. He's having his best season in quite a few years, and since he is hitting free agency at the end of the 2024 campaign, could definitely find himself on waivers in August.

Strickland has tossed 51 2/3 frames with a 3.66 ERA, 4.29 FIP, and 1.006 WHIP. He's only allowed 7.3% of opponents to reach via free pass, and has an 1.22 HR/9 rate, but he has struck out a meager 20.4% of opponents. While he's allowed a decent amount of hard-hit batted balls with an 89.1 MPH average exit velocity, he hasn't allowed much quality contact, sporting a 6.8% barrel rate.

However, there are some remaining questions about Strickland's strong season's sustainability. He has just a .214 batting average on balls in play. His BABIP and left on-base rate over his last 19.2 innings (entering play on Friday) sat at .119 and 100%, meaning his course correction against the Mets felt long overdue. According to SIERA and xFIP, Strickland isn't pitching much differently than he has for his career. The veteran has a 4.13 SIERA and 4.77 xFIP this year, compared to a 3.99 and 4.51 mark for his career, respectively.

The Angels are well out of the American League West and even further out of the Wild Card race. A solid middle reliever isn't going to help their current situation, and given what the Angels did last year in August, it wouldn't be a huge surprise if they did it again by placing some rentals on waivers to shed salary.

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