The majority of MLB trades go down prior to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, but there have still been some notable moves made during the August waiver trade period.
Starting in 1986, the non-waiver trade deadline was switched from June 15 to July 31, and the August waiver period as we know it today was born.
There have been some memorable waiver trades in MLB history, including a pair of future starters being acquired as prospects in John Smoltz and Jeff Bagwell.
However, the following list focuses on players who gave their team a boost down the stretch and on into the postseason.
With that in mind, what follows is a look at the best player from each position in the history of August waiver trades, dating back to 1986. To be considered for this list, players had to be acquired by a team that reached the postseason in the year that they were traded for.