Arizona Diamondbacks: Add a Veteran Starter
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It seems as though you can never have enough arms at your disposal, and as the Arizona Diamondbacks look to make another postseason appearance in 2012, they'll want to add to their solid front-end starters.
With a number of top-level starters set to enter free agency prior to 2013, teams may be unloading early.
Atlanta Braves: Find Infield Depth
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With prospect Tyler Pastornicky looking like the Atlanta Braves' Opening Day starter at shortstop, the team is taking a gamble on the left side of the infield.
Dan Uggla is set at second base, and the team doesn't have a lot of options around the league to add depth in Pastornicky's position, but they'll likely be on the lookout as the deadline approaches as insurance.
Baltimore Orioles: Add Veteran Arm to Work with Young Rotation
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The Baltimore Orioles made a somewhat surprising (depending on who you talk to) move in trading Jeremy Guthrie to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for Jason Hammel, a young starter that appears to have some promise.
With a relatively inexperienced rotation in the works, they're now missing their most veteran arm.
Boston Red Sox: Balance the Power in the Lineup
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Whether Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford or David Ortiz, the Boston Red Sox have a plethora of offensive options from the left side of the plate.
After spending the offseason upgrading mostly the pitching staff, new GM Ben Cherington could work to make a swap for a right-handed bat at some point during the season to balance the BoSox attack.
Chicago Cubs: Trade Matt Garza
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With a newly agreed upon one-year deal in place, the trade talks involving Matt Garza appear to have slowed, even if just temporarily.
The Chicago Cubs very well may still look to work out a deal for Garza, however, as he may not be the long-term option for the top of the team's rotation moving forward.
Chicago White Sox: Make a Deadline Deal for Gavin Floyd
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Throughout the early part of the offseason it seemed like John Danks would most certainly be headed out of Chicago as the White Sox looked to rebuild. In somewhat of a surprising move, the Sox signed Danks to an extension, ensuring his place in the rotation for years to come.
With that move, Gavin Floyd becomes expendable for Chicago, as he'll enter free agency next offseason and likely won't sign for a number the White Sox will agree to.
Cincinnati Reds: Bolster the Bullpen
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The Cincinnati Reds made a big splash in the 2011 offseason proceedings when they dealt a number of prospects to San Diego for starting pitcher Mat Latos.
With Aroldis Chapman also in the fold for a starting role, the Reds will likely look to pursue additional options to fortify their late-inning options now that the rotation has gotten its makeover.
Cleveland Indians: Get Center Fielder of the Future
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Grady Sizemore stands to be the Cleveland Indians' starter in center field in 2012 after playing in barely 100 games over the past two seasons combined.
He'll have plenty of incentive to produce in 2012, but still may not represent the Indians' long-term solution in the outfield.
Colorado Rockies: Bring in More Bullpen Arms
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Still making moves even at this point in the offseason, the Colorado Rockies have been an active participant this winter, signing Michael Cuddyer and acquiring Jeremy Guthrie to solidify the rotation.
As they progress into 2012, they may very well find they need additional late-inning help to complement their current options as they look to get over the hump in the NL West.
Detroit Tigers: Add Depth in Starting Rotation
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With one of the best aces in the game heading up the rotation, the Detroit Tigers added one of the second-half surprises of the season in 2011, bringing Doug Fister over for a postseason push.
They'll head up the top of the rotation in 2012, but with less consistency expected from Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello, the team could complement their offensive abilities nicely with the addition of another well-established arm.
Houston Astros: Stockpile for the Future
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It's a surprise in itself that Wandy Rodriguez still hasn't been dealt to a team looking to add a solid starting pitcher, but as Rodriguez's contract winds down you'd think the odds of his move increase.
He'll be a free agent after 2013 and with the Astros not in a position to contend any time soon, the time could be now to move him and look to build depth in the farm system.
Kansas City Royals: Bring in Offensive Depth
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With improvements to the starting rotation and bullpen, the Kansas City Royals will certainly have one of the best pitching staffs they've had in a number of years.
In acquiring Jonathan Sanchez from the Giants to take a place in their rotation, however, they gave up Melky Cabrera, who was one of their more consistent offensive pieces in 2011.
They'll have a number of young and budding stars in the lineup in 2012 and adding a veteran presence would only help their development.
Los Angeles Angels: Move Torii Hunter to Add Depth in Other Areas
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As an aging Torii Hunter enters the final season of his contract with the Los Angeles Angels, you have to wonder if he'll stick with the season through all of 2012, or if the Angels could cut ties.
He'll be making almost $20 million this year, and with the salary that the team took on this offseason, his move could provide some breathing room as they add depth in other areas.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Trade Andre Ethier as Soon as He Gets Hot
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The Los Angeles Dodgers made a huge investment for the future in signing Matt Kemp to a massive extension this offseason, and with the eventual need to lock in Clayton Kershaw, the team may need to part ways with Andre Ethier to make the dollars work.
Miami Marlins: More Starting Pitching
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After adding Mark Buehrle to the mix in the Marlins rotation, you'd have to think the team has a starting five plenty formidable to compete in the NL East.
With continued health uncertainty surrounding Josh Johnson, however, the team would benefit from making a mid-season acquisition for another starting pitcher as they look to overtake the Phillies and the rest of the division.
Milwaukee Brewers: Add an Additional Infielder
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Although the team did agree to terms with Alex Gonzalez on a one-year deal, they could very well still consider adding a player with better means of getting on base and a stronger offensive capacity in general.
Many Brewers fans were disappointed when the team didn't manage much in the way of negotiations with Jose Reyes, and while a player of his caliber isn't expected to be available at the deadline, that's always a variable that can change at any time.
Minnesota Twins: Trade Liriano for Young Talent
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Fans in Minnesota have seen the best and worst that Francisco Liriano has to offer.
His slider can be among the best in baseball, but the space between his ears gets in the way too often as he struggles with control in tight situations.
They've shown patience with him over the years, but with free agency looming, they may look to cut ties and get a package of prospects in return.
New York Mets: Move David Wright for the Right Price
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The New York Mets fanbase is already unhappy with the team's unwillingness to work seriously on making a contract extension for Jose Reyes a reality, so it could come as somewhat of a surprise to see David Wright shipped out of town.
Given the possibility the team may not want to spend the $16 million to extend him into 2013, they may be able to get a fair package in return for one of the top infielders that could potentially be available.
New York Yankees: Finally Unload A.J. Burnett
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The New York Yankees rotation got a big upgrade with the team's acquisition of Michael Pineda from the Seattle Mariners.
While they've been open about making A.J. Burnett available, they haven't taken on the burden of eating much salary, thus rendering him relatively untradeable.
If he pitches well early on they may find a taker, and if he doesn't, they may opt to eat some salary rather than stashing him in the bullpen.
Oakland Athletics: No Moves Left to Make
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After already parting ways with Gio Gonzalez, Trevor Cahill, Craig Breslow, Josh Willingham and Andrew Bailey, the Oakland Athletics really don't have much left to do other than wait for their younger players to develop.
A better question to ask at this point is whether or not their development will be taking place in Oakland or San Jose.
Philadelphia Phillies: Move Shane Victorino
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Shane Victorino has been a mainstay in the Philadelphia Phillies lineup for years now, and it's hard to picture him playing elsewhere.
At the same time, however, the Phillies have a number of payroll commitments in other areas, and as they look to consider locking in Cole Hamels and possibly Hunter Pence long-term, they'll need to make some tough decisions, not the least of which would be moving Victorino.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Clear Room for McCutchen
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With a continually low payroll, the Pittsburgh Pirates won't have much room to work with during any deadline, and they'll need to be even more cautious with their funds as they look towards the upcoming need to pay Andrew McCutchen.
San Diego Padres: Add Veteran or Keep Quentin Around
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The San Diego Padres will certainly take on a different look in 2012 with a number of their best players leaving town via free agency/trade.
They do fortunately have a stable of young talent that provides a great deal of hope for the future, but a veteran bat could help their development, especially with the possibility of Carlos Quentin being a one-and-done in San Diego.
San Francisco Giants: Sell High on Matt Cain If You Can't Extend Him
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The San Francisco Giants will clearly do everything within their power to keep Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain together for the longrun as they work towards returning to postseason play.
They'll need to play their chips right, however, as Lincecum will eventually want a gigantic deal. If it's looking like a Cain deal may not be workable as the season moves on, they'd be best suited to get something in return rather than seeing him walk in free agency.
Seattle Mariners: Add Offense at All Costs
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The Seattle Mariners offense got a much-needed jolt with the addition of Jesus Montero, but that will only partially make up for the Mariners' offensive deficiencies.
After missing out on the Prince Fielder sweepstakes, the team may wait until next offseason to pursue another bat, but as the deadline approaches and new names enter the mix, that can all change.
St. Louis Cardinals: Keep Adding Offense
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The defending world champions will take on a different look in 2012 after saying goodbye to longtime slugger Albert Pujols.
They did make up for some of the deficit in signing Carlos Beltran to a multi-year contract, but unless Lance Berkman once again performs up to the level he did in 2011, they'll still be looking to add offense as they defend their title.
Tampa Bay Rays: Unload B.J. Upton Once He Hits His Stride
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The Tampa Bay Rays always seem to contend in a very tough AL East despite never having much flexibility in the payroll department.
They'll run into this obstacle once again in 2012 as B.J. Upton enters the final year of his contract. Given the teams perceived inability to sign him long-term, they may look to unload him to the highest bidder as soon as he gets hot.
Texas Rangers: Add Insurance in the Bullpen
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As Neftali Feliz leaves for the starting rotation in 2012, Joe Nathan prepares to step in and close games for the Texas Rangers.
Nathan isn't what he once was as a closer, and if he doesn't return to his pre-Tommy John surgery form, the team may need to consider adding more arms in the bullpen to hold leads in the late innings.
Toronto Blue Jays: Add Another Starter
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Given the fact that they heavily invested funds towards the posting of Yu Darvish, it's clear the Toronto Blue Jays are looking to solidify the rotation as they look to contend in the AL East.
They may opt to wait until next year's free-agent class becomes available, but could so put together a package of prospects to get one of them prior to the deadline.
Washington Nationals: Add a Bat to Back Up the Rotation
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With a healthy Stephen Strasburg in the rotation, and new additions Gio Gonzalez and Edwin Jackson in the fold, the Washington Nationals clearly plan on contending for postseason play now.
They'll count on a rebound from Jayson Werth and contributions from Bryce Harper when he enters the lineup, but adding a veteran bat that can add consistent offense would go a long way towards giving the team a chance during the stretch run.
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