According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the Boston Red Sox have put in a waiver claim on Washington Nationals shortstop Cristian Guzman.
Major League sources indicate that the Red Sox have put in a claim on Washington Nationals switch-hitting shortstop Christian Guzman, who is hitting .315 after hitting .316 last season.
If the Red Sox have been awarded the claim – which has not been confirmed – the Red Sox would have 48 hours to work out a deal with the Nationals. The Nationals could also just award Guzman to the Red Sox or they could pull him back. Guzman is a free-swinging hitter (he has only 13 walks and a .333 on base percentage) who has made two All-Star teams. He’s hit mostly leadoff and second for the Nationals. Defensively he’s also committed 13 errors.
During this trade waiver period teams can put in claims on players as they pass through waivers. The team awarded the claim on any player would have to have the worst record of any team who placed the claim. In Guzman’s case, he would have to be passed on by every team in the National League first before an American League team would have a chance.
As Cafardo points out, Guzman is making $8 million this season and $8 million for next season. But with Lowrie on the DL and Nick Green having his struggles at the plate and occasionally on the field, Guzman could help solidify the position a little bit all though Guzman’s 13 errors are cause for concern.
It wouldn’t be a bad move for the Red Sox given that there’s no shortstop in the farm system that’s even being close to being ready at this point. Plus with Lowrie’s injury, there’s no timetable for his return. It’s not like he’s helping out at the plate at all.
