Most players are pulled back once they’re claimed during the August revocable waiver period, but it’s always interesting when a team claims a player and the original team simply says “OK fine, take him.”
That happened today with Matt Thornton, who was claimed off revocable waivers by the Nationals and given away for nothing by the Yankees.
Thornton has pitched well this season with a 2.55 ERA and strong secondary numbers, but he’s 37 years old and his role has been extremely limited with just 24.2 innings in 46 appearances.
He’s also owed $3.5 million for next season as part of a two-year, $7 million deal signed in December, so the Yankees basically decided they’d rather have that cash to spend again this offseason. Washington has been looking for left-handed bullpen help seemingly forever, so Thornton is certainly a sensible fit from the Nationals’ point of view.
