Elvis being traded? or How do Waivers Work?

This morning it was announced that Elvis Andrus had cleared waivers. After the announcement, there was a short twitter fallout wondering if the Rangers' intention was to trade Elvis or if he had been traded. Prior to this season, Elvis signed a extension to his contract for $120 million over 8 years with an opt-out clause in 2018 & 2019. Elvis has not been traded and is very unlikely to be traded, but this is a great time to explain the waivers process.  

Things to know about trades and waivers:

After the trade deadline of July 31st, teams have to place a player on waivers for that player to be trade eligible. Most player's who are able to be traded are placed on revocable waivers at this time.

The reason for this is to be able to accept trade offers for a player past the trade deadline. The team could have zero intention in trading the player, but still place on waivers to be able to listen to offers. 

What would have happened next if a team or teams had claimed Elvis on waivers:

•  In the case of multiple teams claiming a player, the team with the worse record in the player's current league gets to claim him. 
• If claimed, the Rangers can: 
• Work a trade within 2 business days
• Rescind the request and keep Elvis (cancels the waiver)
• Do not respond and simply allow the team who claimed him to take over his current contract and acquire him on their roster. 
• If claimed, and the Rangers rescind the request, the Rangers would not be able to place him on waivers again without it being irrevocable and any team claiming him would acquire him. 
• If not claimed within 3 days, he would clear waivers and could be traded or released as the Rangers saw fit.

With all of that said, it means nothing. Before the trade deadline of July 31st, the front office can negotiate any trade with any team without having to place the player on waivers first.
The Rangers are simply doing what we see occur with most other players under contract past the trade deadline. It just allows the Rangers to be able to listen to offers, that they would not be able to if players were not placed on waivers.