Mike Aviles, Kelly Shoppach Placed On Waivers

According to the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo, shortstop Mike Aviles and catcher Kelly Shoppach have been placed on waivers by the Red Sox. By itself, this means nothing: players are routinely placed on waivers all of the time in August, and it doesn't necessarily mean that they are either guaranteed to be dealt, or that the team is actively looking to trade them. Putting them on waivers in the hopes they will clear, though, does allow the opportunity to trade a player, should it come up, as does if a player happens to be claimed by a team willing to make a deal before they clear.

Aviles has hit just .253/.280/.396 despite a hot start to the season, but given he's a shortstop, and playing exceptional defense at the position, the Red Sox have been able to get away with his bat in the lineup against right-handers in 2012. He's been a utility infielder in the past, and worked out to play in the outfield this winter, so he could be used for more than this if a team were interested in more than just a shortstop.

Shoppach has hit .258/.338/.492 in 150 plate appearances as Boston's backup catcher, but with Ryan Lavarnway now in the majors, and the club less than a month from expanded rosters, Shoppach is expendable if someone is willing to have him for more than nothing. Given Shoppach remained with the club after the trade deadline, that haul might be tougher to pull in than it sounds, despite his successful campaign.

Even if they clear waivers, there's no guarantee that they are dealt. Nick Punto and Carl Crawford have already cleared waivers for Boston this month, yet they're still in Fenway. Aviles and Shoppach represent less long-term claims, though, so someone might attempt to snag them.