MLB Trade Deadline 2015: Predicting Every MLB Team as Deadline Buyer/Seller
If it seems like it's getting late early in baseball, well, it kind of is, as MLB's July 31 non-waiver trade deadline is just over four weeks away.
That's not a whole lot of time for teams to figure out whether they're going to be buyers or sellers, and this year's deadline promises to be as unpredictable as any that we've encountered in recent seasons.
That's for two reasons primarily. First, nearly every team believes that it still has a legitimate shot at making a run at a playoff spot, regardless of what its current record may be.
Perhaps the more important (and market-stymieing) reason is that teams are absolutely petrified to move prospects.
Nobody wants to be the general manager that traded players "X" and "Y" for, say, Johnny Cueto only to have those two become perennial All-Stars for Cincinnati while Cueto is playing elsewhere, having departed that GM's club as a free agent after the season.
Fear is a powerful tool, one that can undermine even the most intelligent front-office personnel.
Still, none of that precludes us from making predictions as to what role each team will wind up occupying as the deadline draws near. For buyers, we'll look at what (and who) they might target in a trade while examining the trade chips of would-be sellers.
Before we get started, a spoiler alert: It's going to be a seller's market this year.
Buyers: Arizona Diamondbacks
1 of 30
Record
36-39 (6 GB in NL West)
Overview
It's tough to get a solid read on Arizona GM Dave Stewart.
Only days after telling Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal that "Mark Trumbo is my guy," the slugger was headed to Seattle (along with Vidal Nuno) in exchange for a four-player package that nobody would call overwhelming.
Then, just over a week ago, Stewart traded Bronson Arroyo and the 16th overall pick in last year's draft, Touki Toussaint, to Atlanta for utility infielder Phil Gosselin, a move that was widely criticized as nothing more than the Diamondbacks selling a first-round draft pick.
But between the two, Arizona freed up roughly $7 million in its operating budget. That's not insignificant.
While the Diamondbacks haven't had a .500 record or been within two games of first place in the National League West since April 24, they're only six games behind the Dodgers in the division and five games out of a wild-card berth.
That's close enough for Stewart to go out and add a piece—perhaps someone like Oakland's Ben Zobrist, due the balance of his $7.5 million salary and a player who would be a major upgrade for the D-Backs at second base.
Buyers: Atlanta Braves
2 of 30
Record
36-40 (6 GB in NL East)
Overview
Injuries and inconsistency have kept the Mets and Nationals from running away with the NL East, and the Braves have played well enough to stay within shouting distance of the division lead. That's likely got John Hart, who has done a remarkable job of rebuilding Atlanta on the fly, at least thinking about making a run.
They'd like to add a controllable power-hitting left fielder or third baseman, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman, but are most likely to make a move to strengthen a bullpen that has the fourth-highest ERA (4.28) and third-highest WHIP (1.40).
FanGraphs recently introduced two new statistics to get a better grip on how effective a team's bullpen is—meltdowns and shutdowns—and Atlanta's numbers in those categories are quite telling. While the group has 60 shutdowns (14th in MLB), it also leads the way with 47 meltdowns. Clearly, help is needed.
Whether that help comes in the form of an established closer to replace Jason Grilli, who has converted all but two of his 23 save opportunities but had some shaky moments on the mound, or someone to help bridge the gap between starter and closer, you can be sure that Hart won't have mortgaged the team's future in the process.
Buyers: Baltimore Orioles
3 of 30
Record
41-34 (tied for first in AL East)
Overview
While Bud Norris (6.70 ERA, 1.61 WHIP) and Chris Tillman (5.67 ERA, 1.51 WHIP) have both shown signs of life in recent starts, the Orioles simply can't count on either one to suddenly snap out of their respective funks and begin pitching as they've proved they can in the past.
So the question in Baltimore isn't will the Orioles look to add another starter to the mix; it's how substantial of a starter it'll be.
With offense at a premium these days, they could look to build a package around slugging first baseman Christian Walker in an attempt to land a front-line arm like Cole Hamels or Johnny Cueto, but doing so would leave the team without an alternative to Chris Davis in 2016, should Davis leave as a free agent.
Such a move would be akin to the team's decision last season to trade pitching prospect Eduardo Rodriguez to Boston in exchange for reliever Andrew Miller. While Miller filled a need and was fantastic in Baltimore, it's safe to say that the Orioles wish they still had a high-end talent like Rodriguez to call on.
The more likely scenario finds the Orioles targeting a mid-rotation arm, someone like Aaron Harang, Mike Leake or Jon Niese, experienced starters that pitch to contact rather than induce a ton of strikeouts, which would play right into Baltimore's defensive strength and come at a fraction of the cost.
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Sellers: Boston Red Sox
4 of 30
Record
34-43 (8 GB in AL East)
Overview
Some, like Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal, have suggested that the Red Sox blow the whole thing up and start over again, pointing to the team's two big offseason additions—Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval—as the first two players that Boston should look to cut ties with.
That scenario seems highly unlikely, as does Boston moving starter Clay Buchholz, who has rebounded from a brutal 2014 season, still has two years of team control left and is drawing significant interest from contenders, according to the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo.
But the Red Sox have a handful of pieces that could be of interest to other teams, though the odds are against the club receiving something of note in return for any of them.
The team's five pending veteran free agents—Craig Breslow, Alejandro De Aza, Justin Masterson, Mike Napoli and Shane Victorino—could all be with new teams come Aug. 1. So, too, could Allen Craig, though Boston would likely have to pick up nearly all of his remaining salary to facilitate a deal.
Then there's the odd men out in the team's crowded outfield, a list that includes former prospects Bryce Brentz and Jackie Bradley Jr., both of whom are still young enough to become quality regulars for another club.
With no shortage of options and potential moves to make, GM Ben Cherington figures to be one of the busiest front-office executives in the game over the next four-plus weeks.
Buyers: Chicago Cubs
5 of 30
Record
39-35 (11.5 GB in NL Central)
Overview
There's been plenty of speculation about which direction the Cubs might go at the trade deadline, as the team has been linked to everything from a veteran bat (Ben Zobrist) to a veteran closer (Jonathan Papelbon).
But according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times, the team's focus is on bolstering its starting rotation and, if at all possible, adding "a young established starter with at least two or three years of club control left."
Think someone like Jake Arrieta, whom the club acquired (along with reliever Pedro Strop) from the Baltimore Orioles in early July 2013.
With a farm system that's still full of intriguing, high-upside position players, the Cubs could very easily turn their attention to a more short-term, high-profile addition, such as Scott Kazmir or Johnny Cueto, or perhaps even make a run at a player with significant money left on his deal like Cole Hamels.
Sellers: Chicago White Sox
6 of 30
Record
32-42 (13 GB in AL Central)
Overview
Things haven't gone according to plan for the White Sox, and while speculation over manager Robin Ventura's future will be a major storyline that surrounds the club over the season's second half, GM Rick Hahn has some work to do if the club has a chance to rebound next season.
Jeff Samardzija's up-and-down season (4.56 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, nine quality starts) makes it difficult to figure out just what his value as a trade chip might be, but the White Sox have nothing to lose by putting the free-agent-to-be on the block and see what offers roll in.
With only a handful of quality arms expected to be available and his track record of success, it's not hard to envision a team making an offer the White Sox can't turn down.
Another of the team's offseason additions, Adam LaRoche, has been good but not great and could be more valuable to the club as a trade chip with more than a few teams in need of a veteran bat either at first base or as a designated hitter.
Veteran shortstop Alexei Ramirez, whom the team opted to hang on to at last year's trade deadline, is readily available this year, according to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune, though the return Chicago would receive for him at this point would be minimal, given his struggles at the plate and in the field.
Sellers: Cincinnati Reds
7 of 30
Record
34-40 (16.5 GB in NL Central)
Overview
The Reds are a team stuck in some cruel sort of baseball limbo. They're good enough to look like a contender and stay within shouting distance of a playoff spot but without the necessary talent to overtake the likes of Pittsburgh and St. Louis in the NL Central.
With ace Johnny Cueto likely heading elsewhere as a free agent after the season and the dependable, oft-overlooked Mike Leake possibly following suit, the Reds would be wise to bring in whatever young, controllable talent they can in exchange for the pair before the trade deadline passes.
To that end, the team has nothing to lose by seeing what sort of package it could get for the likes of Jay Bruce, Aroldis Chapman and Todd Frazier, either. Another club might just present the Reds with an offer that they truly can't refuse.
Of course, what the Reds should do—and what they actually will do—will ultimately be decided by owner Bob Castellini, an incurable optimist who, as John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer points out, may be too emotionally attached to this current group to make any moves at all.
Ultimately, Castellini will push emotion aside and allow GM Walt Jocketty to move Cueto and Leake, but not open the floodgates by listening to offers for nearly everyone else on the roster.
Sellers: Cleveland Indians
8 of 30
Record
33-41 (12 GB in AL Central)
Overview
Few teams are in as bad a spot heading into the trade deadline as the Indians.
Cleveland should have a better record than it does, given the team's excellent starting rotation and quality position players like Jason Kipnis and Carlos Santana, both in the prime of their careers.
The problem is an atrocious defense and underwhelming, expensive veterans—like Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher—that are seemingly immovable. That's why the Tribe may have no choice but to investigate what they can get for 1B/DH Brandon Moss, the club's most notable offseason addition.
Moss hasn't been the masher that he was in Oakland, hitting .236 with 12 home runs and a .754 OPS, but offense is in demand, and with Moss having one more year of arbitration eligibility remaining, he could become the team's most valuable trade chip.
Seller: Colorado Rockies
9 of 30
Record
33-42 (9 GB in NL West)
Overview
Rockies fans must feel like they're starring in the Bill Murray classic Groundhog Day, for it's the same thing year after year in Colorado. One of baseball's most productive offenses loses at least one key piece to injury—this year it's Justin Morneau (concussion)—and is undermined by a horrid rotation.
How horrid? Consider this. Only seven times in the team's 23-year existence has it produced a starting rotation that finished the season with a sub-5.00 ERA. This year's group is teetering right on the edge, heading into Monday's games with a 5.03 mark.
Clearly, an influx of new talent on the mound is needed, preferably young, controllable arms who have shown a strong tendency to keep the ball on the ground or who simply strike out the opposition at a ridiculous rate.
Whether the team can actually go out and obtain that pitching, of course, is largely tied to how the powers that be will answer a question that—you guessed it—we ask every season. Is this the year that the Rockies will trade Troy Tulowitzki?
Despite a burdensome contract that has more than $100 million left on it and less-than-stellar medical history, there would certainly be a market for the four-time All-Star were the Rockies to shop him.
“There has to be a subsidy on the salary,” a National League GM told the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo in May. “But I think they’ll be able to move him. Too good of a player to be out there without someone taking him.”
While Tulowitzki will be the most high-profile trade chip the team has to bargain with, he's not the only one.
Catcher-turned-first baseman Wilin Rosario, the subject of trade speculation for much of the winter, has regained much of the value that he lost and could also be used to bring back a young arm or two, albeit nowhere near the quality of return that the team would get for Tulo.
Buyers: Detroit Tigers
10 of 30
Record
39-36 (6.5 GB in AL Central)
Overview
The Tigers need pitching and are among the teams that Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe has reported to have interest in both Clay Buchholz and Jeff Samardzija, but it's entirely possible that Detroit may have to set its sights lower than that pair.
Detroit's farm system lacks the kind of high-end prospects that a front-line starter is going to command in a trade, so it's fair to assume that a deal for the likes of Johnny Cueto, Cole Hamels or Scott Kazmir is out of the question.
Chances are that a pitcher like Samardzija will be too costly as well, forcing the team to turn its attention to the likes of Mike Leake or Kyle Lohse, mid-rotation arms who will be limited in their impact but who aren't likely to cost nearly as much as their more talented counterparts.
While they aren't front-line starters, either one would help to upgrade a rotation that has pitched to the majors' 19th-highest ERA (4.22). Of course, a return to form by Justin Verlander would go a long way toward curing what ails the Tigers, but that's anything but a given.
Buyers: Houston Astros
11 of 30
Record
44-34 (First place in AL West)
Overview
The Astros need a quality starting pitcher to bolster a rotation that consists of Cy Young Award contender Dallas Keuchel, youngsters Lance McCullers Jr. and Vincent Velasquez and, well, not much else.
"It certainly is one of those things we talk about, probably more so than other areas," GM Jeff Luhnow acknowledged to the Houston Chronicle's Evan Drellich over the weekend.
Sources tell Drellich that Johnny Cueto has become the team's primary focus, noting that scouts from the Reds have been in attendance recently at games involving the team's Triple-A affiliate.
While the bulk of the team's remaining top prospects are still in the lower levels of the system, both Jon Singleton and Mark Appel have recently called Triple-A home and the pair could be used as part of a package to pry Cueto loose,
Should the team fall short in its pursuit of Cueto, the Astros have also been scouting Scott Kazmir, according to the Bay Area News Group's John Hickey. While Kazmir is a short-term rental like Cueto, he might not cost as much in terms of prospects to obtain.
Buyers: Kansas City Royals
12 of 30
Record
44-28 (first place in AL Central)
Overview
At the 72-game mark last season, Kansas City was 39-33, holding a slim half-game lead over Detroit in the AL Central. The team is in a substantially better position at the 72-game mark this season, which is why the Kansas City Star's Andy McCullough wonders if it's better off not doing anything rash:
"The Royals did pretty much nothing last year at the deadline, and rode their core all the way to the World Series. Their team is better in 2015. The American League is weaker. Kansas City certainly could use upgrades at second base, in right field and in the starting rotation. Those are the areas they are focusing on at this point. But if they can’t swing a deal, they may be in a better position for the future, anyway.
"
Of the three areas that McCullough identifies as ripe for an upgrade, none are more glaring than second base, where Omar Infante has been a non-factor at the plate. But he's provided excellent defense at the keystone, and the Royals may not want to risk losing that glove in the middle of the diamond.
Perhaps the team's most realistic upgrade could come with the arrival of a back-end starter, possibly someone like Aaron Harang, who isn't going to command a hefty return, allowing the club to keep the bulk of its farm system intact.
Buyers: Los Angeles Angels
13 of 30
Record
39-37 (4 GB in AL West)
Overview
There are somewhat conflicting reports on the Angels, which is kind of fitting when you consider that the team has struggled to find its identity so far in 2015.
Los Angeles is in the market for another starting pitcher and has interest in both Clay Buchholz and Jeff Samardzija, according to the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo, but the team's biggest need appears to be another productive bat—and MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez says it has dangled veteran starter C.J. Wilson in an attempt to land one.
In fact, Gonzalez reports the team is willing to include some young pitching in a deal for an impact bat, though top prospects Chris Ellis, Andrew Heaney and Sean Newcomb are not available. But someone like Nick Tropeano, despite his struggles at Triple-A this year, could be part of a package to land that bat.
Earlier this month, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times noted the team's preference in terms of bats: "They would like to upgrade in left field, but they would prefer a left-handed hitter to balance Mike Trout and Albert Pujols in their lineup."
Gonzalez notes that the club has roughly $15 million in payroll room, which certainly increases its options.
Buyer: Los Angeles Dodgers
14 of 30
Record
43-34 (first place in NL West)
Overview
It's no secret that in the wake of season-ending injuries to Hyun-Jin Ryu and Brandon McCarthy, the Dodgers need reinforcements for their rotation. Everyone, including team president Andrew Friedman, is on board with that, according to ESPN.com's Mark Saxon.
Adding a "top-flight starting pitcher" is at the top of Friedman's to-do list, according to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, and there's no shortage of those expected to be available as the trade deadline draws near.
Whether it's impending free agents like Johnny Cueto, Scott Kazmir and Jeff Samardzija or someone with multiple years left on his contract, like Cole Hamels, Los Angeles has both the available cash and deep pool of prospects to put together a deal for just about anyone that might hit the trade market.
That certainly has to give pause to the other teams in the NL West, who surely realize that they're ill-equipped to outspend their division foe in a bidding war for a particular player, even one that the Dodgers weren't particularly interested in until learning that (insert team here) were trying to obtain him.
Sellers: Miami Marlins
15 of 30
Record
31-46 (11.5 GB in NL East)
Overview
The Marlins were prepared to put on a show for Giancarlo Stanton at the trade deadline and add some pieces to make it look like they were doing their best to improve the club, but with the team's heart and soul now likely out of action until after the trade deadline, the Marlins can stop pretending.
For a contending club, this team is not.
There's plenty of reason for optimism, of course. Aside from Stanton, the team has a talented young outfield that hasn't come close to meeting expectations and some good-looking young pitching working its way through the system.
Oh, and some guy named Jose Fernandez is about to make his return from Tommy John surgery.
So the team can operate with an eye toward bigger and better things in 2016, unloading some of its veteran pieces for more young talent in the process.
Dan Haren, Mat Latos, Martin Prado and Ichiro Suzuki all figure to be wearing different uniforms by the time Aug. 1 rolls around, and it wouldn't be surprising to see some of the team's younger role players—guys like Brad Hand, Tom Koehler and David Phelps—join those veterans on the trade block.
A massive rebuild isn't necessary, but some tweaking is certainly in order.
Sellers: Milwaukee Brewers
16 of 30
Record
29-48 (23 GB in NL Central)
Overview
The Brewers can probably find homes for veterans like Adam Lind, Kyle Lohse, Aramis Ramirez and Francisco Rodriguez without exerting much effort, but they aren't going to bring back the kind of high-upside talent of which Milwaukee needs an infusion.
Carlos Gomez and Jean Segura would, however, and Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes that, contrary to popular opinion, the team has never deemed either one as untouchable. It's just that it would take a really impressive package of talent to pry one of them loose.
Gomez is a free agent after next season and will almost certainly command a price on the open market that the Brewers can't compete with. Moving him now, while an acquiring team would have him for a year-and-a-half, would be Milwaukee's wisest decision.
Segura, under team control through the 2018 season, would command an equally impressive package of talent. While he's primarily played shortstop in the majors, he has experience at second base, which makes him even more attractive given the dearth of quality middle infielders currently in the game.
Buyers: Minnesota Twins
17 of 30
Record
40-35 (5.5 GB in AL Central)
Overview
The two biggest surprises of the season thus far have come out of the American League, with the Astros leading the AL West and the Twins in the thick of the race for the AL Central.
Quality pitching, strong defense and some new voices in the clubhouse—namely manager Paul Molitor and outfielder Torii Hunter—have gone a long way toward Minnesota's remarkable showing thus far. When it comes to sustaining that success, however, GM Terry Ryan tells Fox Sports' Tyler Mason that it's up to the team's bats.
"We're probably fortunate to be in the place we're at with the type of run production we're going through," Ryan said. "We need to score more runs. Hopefully the other stuff will stay the same and we can balance it off with some pretty good offensive output."
So it's not surprising to see CBS Sports' Jon Heyman report that the club is on the hunt for a middle-of-the-order bat, preferably one that plays the outfield. Someone like Marlon Byrd or Josh Reddick could make a lot of sense should they become available.
Higher-end talent is probably going to be too expensive, both in terms of dollars and prospects, for the Twins to seriously consider.
Buyers: New York Mets
18 of 30
Record
40-37 (2.5 GB in NL East)
Overview
Without the services of Travis d'Arnaud, Daniel Murphy and David Wright, the Mets offense has sputtered, ranking 27th in baseball with 268 runs scored and a combined .665 OPS that only the White Sox and Phillies have failed to best.
Lucas Duda and Curtis Granderson can't do it all by themselves, which is why the club has been—and figures to continue being—linked to pretty much every bat that's believed to be available.
“It would be nice to do something if we could to improve the team and give it a psychological boost,” GM Sandy Alderson recently told the New York Daily News' John Harper, who reported that Alderson has had discussions with his former employer, the Oakland Athletics, about the versatile Ben Zobrist.
Another name on the team's radar, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe is Aramis Ramirez, Milwaukee's veteran third baseman who is expected to retire at the end of the season.
While the Mets have plenty of young pitching that could be used to facilitate a deal for a bigger name, such as Troy Tulowitzki, it's far more likely that they'll opt for a less expensive addition.
Buyers: New York Yankees
19 of 30
Record
41-35 (0.5 GB in AL East)
Overview
I list the Yankees as buyers, but those expecting the club to make a run at high-priced talent are going to be grossly disappointed.
For GM Brian Cashman has spent too long building up a decrepit farm system to move the likes of Eric Jagielo, Aaron Judge and Luis Severino for either a short-term rental (Johnny Cueto) or another veteran with a burdensome contract (Cole Hamels), no matter how badly the rotation may need one of them.
So while Newsday's David Lennon links them to Hamels, Joel Sherman of the New York Post links them to Jeff Samardzija and Fox Sports' Jon Morosi links them to Cueto, it seems far more likely that they'll look to add a second-tier arm who can eat innings at a reasonable cost—someone like Aaron Harang.
Of course, the Steinbrenner family remains in charge of the whole operation, and we've seen the Boss' heirs—Hal and Hank—pull rank to make a move before. So while I believe they'll be cautious in their approach, we can't completely rule anything out.
Sellers: Oakland Athletics
20 of 30
Record
34-44 (10 GB in AL West)
Overview
While the A's have played better baseball of late, the early-season hole that they dug for themselves is simply too deep to climb all the way out of, and Oakland will look to move its pending free agents as the deadline nears.
The names of Tyler Clippard, Scott Kazmir and Ben Zobrist litter the other pages of this piece, as each one is on the radar of multiple contenders.
Of course, we've learned over the years that Billy Beane is as unpredictable as any general manager in the game, so it wouldn't be at all surprising if he decided to move players like Jesse Chavez or Josh Reddick, who still have a year of team control remaining.
Sellers: Philadelphia Phillies
21 of 30
Record
27-50 (15.5 GB in NL East)
Overview
Philadelphia has a handful of veteran pieces that will draw interest on the trade market, a list that includes Aaron Harang, Jonathan Papelbon and Ben Revere. But the trade deadline is all about Cole Hamels and the Phillies finally unloading their most valuable trade chip so that the rebuilding process can truly begin.
The club would like to start making moves sooner rather than later, according to the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo, and is said to be frustrated by the lack of action on the part of would-be buyers thus far.
But it can ill-afford to let that frustration manifest into anger.
Whoever will be calling the shots at the deadline—interim president Pat Gillick, GM Ruben Amaro Jr. or soon-to-be-president Andy MacPhail—needs to keep a level head and take the best offer they can get for Hamels, who essentially told CSN Philly's Jim Salisbury that his no-trade clause won't be an issue if the club were to approach him about a deal.
Buyers: Pittsburgh Pirates
22 of 30
Record
42-33 (9 GB in NL Central)
Overview
While the Pirates haven't exactly kept pace with the Cardinals in the NL Central, Pittsburgh remains in excellent position to make a run at its third consecutive playoff appearance, whether it be via a division title or a wild-card berth.
In order to make that a reality, the club is on the hunt for upgrades, both in the rotation and at first base, per a report from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Rob Biertempfel. And you can be sure that whatever move GM Neal Huntington makes, it'll be with the blessing of skipper Clint Hurdle.
“I'm involved directly and case-specifically at the major league level,” Hurdle told Biertempfel. “Whatever comes up, I get a shot at it, a look at it and a conversation about it.”
We can also be sure that finding a right-handed complement to Pedro Alvarez at first base is a conversation that Hurdle has had more than once over the course of the season's first three months. To that end, Biertempfel notes that the slumping Mike Napoli could be a low-cost, high-upside addition.
As for the rotation, Aaron Harang is known to be on the Bucs' radar, and the Phillies have had scouts following around the team's Double-A affiliate recently. While it's fun to think of Cole Hamels in a Pirates uniform, that's about as unrealistic an outcome as you'll find at the deadline.
Buyers: San Diego Padres
23 of 30
Record
37-41 (6.5 GB in NL West)
Overview
The Padres remain undecided about whether they'll be buying or selling at the deadline, according to a report from Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal. But San Diego has remained within earshot of a playoff spot despite some really ugly defense and a starting rotation that hasn't come close to meeting expectations.
Because of that, it's hard to envision GM A.J. Preller throwing in the towel.
With the team's farm system having taken a significant hit, given all the moves that Preller made over the winter, a blockbuster deal for someone like Cole Hamels or Troy Tulowitzki, each of whom would fill a hole for the Padres, seems unlikely.
But it wouldn't be surprising to see the team make a run at a mid-rotation arm such as Mike Leake or Kyle Lohse or a long-term solution at shortstop like Jean Segura.
Buyers: San Francisco Giants
24 of 30
Record
42-35 (1 GB in NL West)
Overview
Recent history tells us that the Giants aren't supposed to be in contention for a playoff spot the year following a World Series victory, so in that regard, San Francisco has already exceeded expectations.
But if they're going to mount a successful defense of that title, the Giants are going to need some reinforcements.
While Bleacher Report's Zachary D. Rymer isn't wrong when he wrote that the club's biggest need is another quality starting pitcher, such a move simply isn't in the cards, as GM Bobby Evans explained to John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle.
“It’s hard for us to do with seven guys," Evans said. "I tell people to do the math. You can’t add an eighth guy. At some point, we’ve got to use what we’ve got.” Instead, Evans suggests that adding depth—perhaps in the outfield, where the team is without Nori Aoki and Hunter Pence—is what he'll look to do.
"Our primary focus is depth. You can add depth in the outfield, but if you’re bringing in a big everyday guy, you’re going to be jammed up here. That may not be what you want. You’ve got to be careful what you do.”
A veteran like Ichiro Suzuki, a player with plenty of experience that isn't on a long-term deal, who has become accustomed to a part-time role and isn't going to cost a fortune to obtain, would seem to be the perfect kind of addition for the Giants to make.
Sellers: Seattle Mariners
25 of 30
Record
34-42 (9 GB in AL West)
Overview
The Mariners tried to get a jump on the trade season by acquiring Mark Trumbo from Arizona, but the deal hasn't worked out in their favor, as Trumbo has hit only .151 with two extra-base hits and five RBI while striking out 21 times in 73 at-bats.
I hate to say I told you so...but I did point out how his arrival didn't address any of the actual flaws in Seattle's lineup shortly after the deal was made.
While the Mariners are still within shouting distance of a wild-card berth, it makes little sense for them to continue trying to fix things with Band-Aids. Instead, GM Jack Zduriencik, in a moment of clarity, will begin shopping the team's upcoming free agents.
J.A. Happ, Austin Jackson and Fernando Rodney may not yield a massive return for the club, but there's no harm in seeing what it can get in exchange for the trio. If he can prove that he's healthy and effective, Hisashi Iwakuma could wind up being the club's most valuable trade chip.
Buyer: St. Louis Cardinals
26 of 30
Record
51-24 (first place in NL Central)
Overview
Sitting with baseball's best record and a nearly double-digit lead in the division, there's a strong case to be made that the Cardinals should sit back and watch the rest of the National League go insane at the trade deadline in an attempt to catch up to them.
But there's no fun in that, and St. Louis isn't a team without a hole or two. Of those holes, the biggest one resides at first base, where Mark Reynolds is doing his best in place of the injured Matt Adams.
The Cardinals would be wise to find a left-handed bat that could split time with Reynolds at the position, and Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal opines that Adam LaRoche would be a perfect fit given his skills at the plate and in the field.
If not LaRoche, players like Adam Lind, Logan Morrison and Jon Singleton could be of interest, though there's no indication that either of the latter two are currently available.
Buyers: Tampa Bay Rays
27 of 30
Record
42-35 (tied for first in AL East)
Overview
The Rays aren't supposed to be where they are in the standings, not after losing their ace (David Price), manager (Joe Maddon) and general manager (Andrew Friedman) before the 2015 season got underway.
But Tampa Bay continues to prove that it doesn't matter what the name on the back of the jersey is; it's about the name on the front—and that the Rays are a resilient bunch that isn't going away anytime soon.
That said, the club needs to look into bolstering an offense that ranks 13th in the AL in runs scored (283). Specifically, the Rays need an upgrade at first base, a position that no other club in the AL has gotten less production from.
While CBS Sports' Jon Heyman points to Ryan Howard as a potential target, the Rays may have more interest in his teammate, Darin Ruf, whose right-handed bat would be a nice complement to the left-handed James Loney, who will eventually return from the disabled list to aid the cause.
Buyers: Texas Rangers
28 of 30
Record
38-38 (5 GB in AL West)
Overview
Fox Sports' Jon Morosi reported the Rangers have had discussions with the Phillies about Cole Hamels, but as the Dallas Morning News' Evan Grant details, there are simply too many obstacles that Texas would have to get past in order for a deal to make sense for the club.
That's not to say that Hamels wouldn't help Texas substantially—there's really not a team that he wouldn't help—but the Rangers have their sights set on bolstering another part of the pitching staff.
“Everyone in that bullpen has done it for periods in the big leagues, but we are inconsistent there,” GM Jon Daniels told the Star-Telegram's Mac Engel recently. “There are good arms with plus-stuff, and when they are on, they are good. But that is an area we have been inconsistent.”
That inconsistency has led to the Rangers leading the AL in meltdowns while pitching to the third-highest bullpen ERA in the majors.
While Shawn Tolleson has done an admirable job as closer, converting all 10 of his save opportunities, the addition of an established ninth-inning option, whether it be Aroldis Chapman, Tyler Clippard, Jonathan Papelbon or Francisco Rodriguez, would go a long way toward fixing the unit.
Buyers: Toronto Blue Jays
29 of 30
Record
41-36 (1 GB in AL East)
Overview
The Blue Jays need help in both the rotation and bullpen, but GM Alex Anthopoulos made it clear that bolstering the rotation is the team's top priority while a guest on MLB Network Radio (audio link): “We could use both, but if I did have to prioritize it, I’d say rotation first, bullpen would be next.”
When it comes to adding a starter, the Blue Jays are casting a wide net.
The team had scouts in attendance for Scott Kazmir's last start, according to John Hickey of the Bay Area News Group, while the Houston Chronicle's Evan Drellich names Toronto as a suitor for both Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake in Cincinnati.
While adding a front-line starter like Cueto or Cole Hamels would be ideal, Toronto's offense is so potent that even the arrival of a mid-rotation arm that can provide some quality innings and keep things close would be a major addition.
Speaking of that offense, Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal (video link) says that Toronto could be on the hunt for another outfielder, which would allow it to keep Dalton Pompey in the minors.
Pompey struggled to find any success at the plate in the big leagues or at Triple-A Buffalo, and letting him play the season out with Double-A New Hampshire could go a long way toward his continued development (and confidence).
Faced with high expectations heading into the season after adding Josh Donaldson and Russell Martin over the winter, Toronto is a lock to try to position itself to make a run at what remains a wide-open AL East in the second half of the season.
Buyers: Washington Nationals
30 of 30
Record
42-34 (first place in NL East)
Overview
While sources tell Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal that ownership in Washington is reluctant to add payroll during the season, leading him to suggest that the Nationals might have to sell before they can buy, the Lerner family has deep pockets—and will ultimately give GM Mike Rizzo the go-ahead to add pieces.
The team's biggest priority appears to be adding another power arm to complement closer Drew Storen in the bullpen, with Rosenthal pointing to former Nats reliever Tyler Clippard and his Fox Sports colleague, Jon Morosi, noting that Aroldis Chapman is on the team's radar as well.
Jonathan Papelbon—especially if the Phillies pick up the money left on his deal—and Francisco Rodriguez would also figure to be on the team's short list of potential targets.
Unless otherwise linked or noted, all statistics courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com and FanGraphs and are current through games on June 28. All contract information courtesy of Cot's Contracts.
Hit me up on Twitter to talk all things baseball: @RickWeinerBR.
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