Why don't bad teams put in waiver claims?

[HalfSmokes]

Here's a simple question, why don't bad teams (who have waiver priority), put in claims for any type A or B player who is only under contract through the end of the season?

Wagner made me think of this - I don't understand why we didn't claim him. If nothing else we would have gotten draft picks.

[NFA Brian]

Because of a few things, (1) the waivers are revocable, so teams can just pull the player back if the Nationals claimed their player and an equitable deal could not be reached; (2) there is a waiver claim fee and regardless of what the LAC crew might say, it's silly to just throw money away at claims they have no possibility of making a deal for; and (3) teams have long memories, if the Nationals consistently claimed every player on waivers, they are damaging future negotiations with teams by screwing up their chance of dealing guys to other teams.

[PatsNats28]

Although, wouldn't they rather have these players go to the Nats than say a contender?

[NFA Brian]

Although, wouldn't they rather have these players go to the Nats than say a contender?

Not necessarily. What if they were to get a better return from the other team?

[PatsNats28]

true.