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MLB Trade Deadline: 5 Impact Players That Could Be Moved Through Waiver Trades

By Kyle Franzoni

Jul 22, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher James Shields (33) pitches during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 22, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher James Shields (33) pitches during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 29, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli (12) hits an RBI double off Chicago White Sox pitcher Jose Quintana (not pictured) during the fourth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli (12) hits an RBI double off Chicago White Sox pitcher Jose Quintana (not pictured) during the fourth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

Mike Napoli – Boston Red Sox

Mike Napoli’s name was bandied about leading into the 2015 non-waiver trade deadline, especially considering that the Red Sox are not expected to bring back the first baseman in 2016. In need of injecting some new blood into the organization, Napoli is the odd-man out as the team looks to fill his position differently next season.

While his Napoli was openly available leading into the deadline, the Red Sox were more focused on possibly striking a big deal with the Padres or other teams for controllable players beyond 2015. Now with those likely transactions done until the winter, Boston will turn its attention to trying to get what it can for its prospective free agent.

After struggling in the first half to the tune of .193/.294/.353 albeit with 10 home runs and 30 RBI, Napoli has found himself a bit more in the second half. In 12 games since the All-Star break, he has increased his batting line to .308/.386/.590 and added a pair of home runs, five doubles, and seven RBI.

That said, even with the brief turnaround in the second half, Napoli isn’t expected to fetch much on the trade market. The San Francisco Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates both seemed interested earlier this season and they could re-initiate talks after not being able to address their needs for a bat before the deadline. However, anything coming back to Boston would likely be a fringe prospect or cash considerations at this stage in the season. With roughly $5.8 million left on his 2015 contract, the Red Sox would also need to kick in some money in order to get anything back at this stage.

Next: Justin Upton - San Diego Padres

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