MLB Trade Scenarios: 6 Surprise Contenders Who Need a Big Deal ASAP

Perhaps one of the best things about a baseball season is that you never know which teams may be in the mix or hold the top spot, even if it's early in the season. Certainly no one saw the Arizona Diamondbacks surging to first in the NL West last year.

For those teams, it can take effort to stay there, especially if they start to become decimated by injuries. Meanwhile, a young team that's starting hot may need a veteran presence down the stretch. These two types of teams would definitely need to make a move.

Here are six teams that fall into these categories. I've limited it to teams over a .500 record, so even though it's a surprise that the Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros are doing well, they don't make the cut.

Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore was heading into this season as a joke team, having made minimal moves to help themselves in a crowded AL East. Yet, somehow they are first with a 19-9 record.

Their bullpen as a unit has allowed 15 earned runs in nearly 96 innings, for an ERA of under 1.50, hence their success. They fall under the group that needs a veteran presence; Darren O'Day is the only one that can really draw on recent playoff experience.

Someone like AL East rival Kevin Youkilis might be the perfect addition, as he can help out at third base as well since Mark Reynolds is struggling big time.

Cleveland Indians

Sure, there were some people that figured they would finish second in the division this year, but no one had them ahead of Detroit with all the moves they made in the offseason.

They made veteran moves by adding Derek Lowe and Johnny Damon, both of whom have World Series experience. However, they do have weak spots, with Casey Kotchman in particular playing horribly.

Once the trade deadline nears, there will certainly be some nice right-handed bats available to play at first base. Any will do as long as they get one, though sooner is better if Kotchman continues to stink.

Oakland Athletics

The Oakland Athletics have an absolutely horrendous lineup, losing most of their good bats in free agency. Somehow, they're in second place in the AL West, ahead of the Angels and not that far behind the Rangers.

The pitching has helped them do well, with Brandon McCarthy pitching great and Bartolo Colon surprisingly pitching great again. However, he faltered down the stretch last year and could do so again.

The Athletics don't strike me as a team that would add a veteran presence or try to add that extra player, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't pursue options. If they are still in second in July, they would be doing themselves a disservice by not charging in and going for it.

New York Mets

The NL East was expected to be the toughest division, and it is, with only one team under .500, and even then only barely. Everyone expected the Mets to be the cellar-dwelling team though.

They are third in the East, but narrowly behind the Nationals and Braves. Unlike other teams that got there through pitching, they've done it with great hitting; David Wright in particular is having a great year.

If they feel that they don't need to rebuild, then they need more bullpen help, since Frank Francisco is struggling and the rotation is only decent.

Washington Nationals

Unlike many on this list that are legitimate shocks, I'm not as surprised by the Nationals' rise to prominence as others are. Still, their rotation and bullpen are so dominant that it's hard to find a weakness there.

The lineup, on the other hand, is just okay. The outfield in particular is still a mess despite Jayson Werth's improved play. They need outfield help ASAP now, especially that Werth is out, probably until the All-Star break.

You could trade for a left fielder, center fielder, and right fielder and have a vastly improved team compared to what the Nationals have now, which is in first place.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Perhaps it was Frank McCourt holding the Dodgers back after all. With the ownership change and not much else sans a few okay pitchers added, the Dodgers are on fire, easily leading the NL West.

Matt Kemp is having an incredible year and is carrying the otherwise okay lineup on his back, making it that much better. The pitching has been solid as well, and perhaps that's the trick. Everyone's working well as a team, with no one shouldering too much of the burden aside from Kemp.

Adding an extra bat could really help out, since Kemp having to do everything could come back to bite them late in the season.