1 Key Goal for Each MLB Team to Reach Before the All-Star Break

With the exception of the Miami Marlins and Houston Astros, the goal of most MLB teams is to win more ball games. But for each organization the hurdle to winning is much different.

For instance, the Cincinnati Reds could use a good left fielder. But by comparison, the Arizona Diamondbacks will soon have too many quality outfielders on their roster.

And while the Milwaukee Brewers and Colorado Rockies both possess two great closing options (and need to make a decision), the Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers wish they had similar depth.

A lot of decisions will be made between now and the All-Star break, and below is each Major League Baseball team’s one goal. 

All statistics (through June 25) taken from FanGraphs, Baseball Reference and Cot’s Baseball Contracts.

Atlanta Braves

There was arguably no better hitter in baseball during April than Justin Upton. Upton hit .298 with a 1.136 OPS, 12 home runs and a 14.2 percent walk rate. Yet, since then, the 25-year-old has been a dud. In the subsequent months, Upton has posted a .208 batting average with a .619 OPS and just three home runs. 

The Atlanta Braves need their best hitter to hit. Period.

Washington Nationals

Bryce Harper is following up his fantastic rookie campaign with an even better season in 2013. Harper has hit to the tune of a .287 batting average with a park-adjusted 166 wRC+, 12 home runs and a 14 percent walk rate. But the Nationals’ most feared hitter hasn’t played since May 26 due to left knee bursitis and Harper personally doesn’t think he’ll be able to begin rehab so soon, per the Associated Press (via USA Today). 

Simply put, a platoon of Roger Bernadina and Steve Lombardozzi does not produce like Harper does. The 20-year-old needs to get some rest and get back into action soon.

New York Mets

Over his first 207 plate appearances for the Mets, Ike Davis posted a .161 batting average (vs. park-adjusted 40 wRC+) and just five home runs. Davis’ 9.2 percent walk rate was a career low, and his 31.9 strikeout percentage a career high. The Mets finally demoted Davis to Triple-A on June 10 to work on his broken hitting mechanics—a move most critics and fans had called for weeks earlier. 

With so few power hitters on the major league roster and even in the organization, it’s vital for Davis to come back to form. So far in Triple-A, Davis has swatted a .310 batting average and 1.153 OPS with four home runs and a 22.2 percent walk rate. The first baseman still needs to cut down on his strikeouts (20.3 strikeout percentage), however, before getting a call back to The Show.

Miami Marlins

It’s no secret that the Miami Marlins are actively shopping starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco and will trade him to the highest bidder. Nolasco is enjoying his best season since 2008, posting a 3.68 ERA (vs. park-adjusted 3.86 xFIP), 1.19 WHIP and 3.08 K/BB in 2013.

If the Marlins do not want to eat any of Nolasco’s contract (he’ll earn another $6 million in the second half), the team will have to market the right-hander as the front-line starting pitcher every contender needs.

Philadelphia Phillies

It’s been a particularly bad season for the oft-successful Philadelphia Phillies. Despite advancing to the playoffs five times from 2007 to 2011 (and winning the World Series in 2008), the Phillies are currently five games under .500.

A lot of their newfound losing ways in 2013 have to do with a general lack of health—especially with second baseman Chase Utley and catcher Carlos Ruiz.  In fact, Utley and Ruiz have only garnered 195 and 75 plate appearances respectively this season.

If the Phillies want to win more games in the second half—or potentially dangle both to-be free-agent veterans at the trade deadline—the Phils need to find a way to keep their stars on the field.

St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals always find a way to win. Despite losing closer Jason Motte and backup closer Mitchell Boggs to injury and ineffectiveness, respectively, the Cards quickly turned to career middle reliever Edward Mujica to shut the door in the ninth. The result? A 1.97 ERA, 0.65 WHIP, 27.00 K/BB and 21 saves. 

Mujica’s history (3.92 ERA), park-adjusted 3.13 xFIP (vs. 1.97 ERA in 2013) and .190 BABIP (vs. career .292 BABIP) in 2013 suggest there could be some regression in the second half. But unless the Cards plan on targeting a closer at the deadline, the team will have to hope Mujica can continue being lights out. 

Chicago Cubs

Despite posting a .282 batting average and .720 OPS through his first 40 games this season, Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro has been in a terrible slump since (.163 batting average and .415 OPS).

Needless to say, the Cubs expected the 23-year-old to be a big producer after handing him a seven-year, $60 million extension back in August 2012.  Castro is the cornerstone of the Cubs' currently middling team, and an offensive surge going into the All-Star break would do wonders for his self-esteem. 

Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds are just two-and-a-half games out of first place in the extremely competitive NL Central. With slugging left fielder Ryan Ludwick not scheduled to return until at least mid-August, the Reds have been using a combination of Chris Heisey (who has missed two months due to injury himself) and Xavier Paul. Paul has performed admirably, posting a .255 batting average, park-adjusted 109 wRC+ and five home runs, but has struggled mightily against left-handed pitching (.143 batting average and 15 wRC+).

The Reds will have to truly evaluate Paul and Heisey (when he returns) and then make a decision if the team should covet an outfielder at the deadline to make a playoff push (especially since highly touted prospect Billy Hamilton has been a disappointment in Triple-A). 

Pittsburgh Pirates

When both A.J. Burnett and Wandy Rodriguez fell prey to injury, the Pittsburgh Pirates decided to call up prized pitching prospect Gerrit Cole. In three starts, Cole has pitched pretty well, hurling a 3.44 ERA (vs. park-adjusted 3.89 xFIP), 1.03 WHIP and 8.00 K/BB—but has only struck out batters at a 3.93 K/9 clip.

Cole’s lackluster strikeout rate, despite averaging 96.6 mph, isn’t just a major league transitional hurdle either. The right-hander witnessed his strikeout rate drop from 9.3 percent in 2012 to 6.2 percent in 2013 in the minors. Considering the Pirates are neck-in-neck with the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals in the Central division, the team has to make a decision about whether his strikeout issue is one that can be addressed in the bigs or in Triple-A.

Milwaukee Brewers

After posting a vulnerable 24.30 ERA in his first 3.1 innings this season, the Milwaukee Brewers promptly removed John Axford from the closing position he had held since 2010. In his place, the Brewers installed Jim Henderson, who has hurled a 2.03 ERA (vs. park-adjusted 3.07 xFIP), 1.01 WHIP, 3.75 K/BB and 10 saves in 2013. But when Henderson was placed on the disabled list on May 24, the Brewers called up former All-Star Francisco Rodriguez from Triple-A. K-Rod rewarded the Brewers with a 0.59 ERA (vs. 3.11 xFIP), 0.71 WHIP, 5.33 K/BB and six saves in Henderson’s absence.

Henderson has now returned off the DL—and supposedly will close, according to manager Ron Roenicke (via Adam McKay of MLB.com)—but with Rodriguez pitching so well in his most familiar role (300 career saves), perhaps the Brewers should let the two battle it out.

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks were primed to hand the center field reins to Adam Eaton in 2013, but the prospect hurt his elbow and has yet to log an inning for the Snakes. In his place, perennial fourth outfielder Gerardo Parra has been masterful, hitting .315 (vs. park-adjusted 133 wRC+) with seven home runs and a 9 percent walk rate.

With Parra playing so well, perhaps Jason Kubel (97 wRC+) or Cody Ross (79 wRC+) will be the casualty.  Considering Kubel will be a free agent at the end of the season, it’s possible the team could look to dangle him at the deadline in order to free up a starting outfield slot for when Eaton inevitably returns.

Colorado Rockies

Rafael Betancourt has been fantastic since the Colorado Rockies acquired him on July 23, 2009. Betancourt has posted a combined 2.97 ERA (vs. park-adjusted 156 ERA+), 0.99 WHIP, 6.43 K/BB and 52 saves during that span. Yet, when the closer was placed on the disabled list on June 1 with a groin injury, setup man Rex Brothers took over and dazzled.

Brothers, 25, has hurled an eye-popping 0.28 ERA (vs. park-adjusted 3.64 xFIP), 1.14 WHIP, 2.00 K/BB and four saves in Betancourt’s absence. Betancourt is scheduled to be activated on Thursday, June 27, and will return to closing. However, perhaps the Rockies should at least split the duties to see if Brothers is capable of closing full-time—thus making Betancourt a valuable deadline chip.

San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants lost starting center fielder and leadoff hitter Angel Pagan to a torn hamstring injury a month ago and have been using Gregor Blanco in his place. Blanco, best known for his defense, has also been leading off for the Giants and has performed quite well in his new role (.323 batting average, .812 OBP and four stolen bases).

However, Andres Torres, who took over for Blanco in left field, has not taken a page out of Blanco’s book. Torres, 35, has hit to the tune of a .269 batting average (vs. park-adjusted 97 wRC+) with two home runs, two stolen bases, a 6.5 percent walk rate and a 22.6 strikeout percentage.

The reigning World Series champs are just three-and-a-half games out of first place, and considering Pagan is likely to be out for the season, the Giants need to use the next few weeks to evaluate whether they have enough faith in Torres to not acquire an upgrade at the deadline.

San Diego Padres

Most were surprised when the penny-pinching San Diego Padres extended closer Huston Street for two-years, $14 million last July. The then-dominant reliever appeared to be a great trade chip for the lowly Padres, as Street posted a 1.85 ERA (vs. park-adjusted 2.74 xFIP), 0.71 WHIP, 4.27 K/BB and 23 saves. The Padres instead signed him to an extension and only won 76 games.

In 2013, the trends have flopped. Street has been brutal, pitching to the tune of a 4.78 ERA (vs. 4.97 xFIP), 1.32 WHIP, 1.88 K/BB and 15 saves—but the Padres are a game above .500.

The Padres let long time setup man Luke Gregerson close while Street was recently on the disabled list, but the team needs to give Gregerson a better look to see if he could make Street expendable. 

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers were supposed to be great in 2013, but they're currently nine games under .500. Matt Kemp’s lackluster and injury-plagued season is likely the biggest factor for that. Despite being MVP-worthy in 2011—and an All-Star in 2012—Kemp has posted a pedestrian .251 batting average (vs. park-adjusted 78 wRC+) with two home runs, a 6.7 percent walk rate and a 28.6 strikeout percentage.

Kemp was activated off of the disabled list on Tuesday, June 25, so if the Dodgers want to start winning ball games, they’ll have to do everything in their power to see that Kemp returns to form.

New York Yankees

The Yankees’ full roster is almost on the disabled list. Their DL includes Francisco Cervelli, Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez, Kevin Youkilis, Derek Jeter, Eduardo Nunez, Curtis Granderson and, of course, Michael Pineda.

That said, the Yankees should still resist using Vernon Wells in left field and just hand the starting job to recent call-up Zoilo Almonte. Almonte, 24, posted a .297 batting average, .789 OPS and six home runs at Triple-A and is quickly becoming a cult hero in the Bronx with his good play (albeit with a small sample size): .583 batting average (vs. park-adjusted 345 wRC+), one home run and a 14.3 percent walk rate.

Sometimes, you just gotta give the “kid” a chance.

Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox have witnessed closers Joel Hanrahan and Andrew Bailey lose the gig due to injury and ineffectiveness, respectively. Luckily for the Red Sox, they have two capable options in Koji Uehara and Junichi Tazawa.

Uehara certainly has more actual closing experience (he saved 13 games in 2010), but Tazawa might have the better closer “stuff” as his fastball averages 93.5 mph. The Red Sox should use the next few weeks to determine which of the two would make for a better closer—or if the team should trade for yet another “established” option.

Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays were supposed to be a World Series favorite prior to the season, yet all their offseason acquisitions have either been busts or caught the injury bug. Jose Reyes, the team’s shortstop, was a victim of the latter.

Luckily for the Blue Jays, Reyes will likely be activated off the disabled list today, June 26. If Reyes can pick up where he left off before his injury (.395 batting average and park-adjusted 178 wRC+), the Blue Jays should quickly climb up the Eastern division ladder.  

Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays acquired Wil Myers as the centerpiece to the trade that sent ace pitcher James Shields to the Kansas City Royals this past offseason. The Rays, being the financially conscious organization that they are, decided to keep Myers in Triple-A for the first two-plus months in order to start his service clock later. However, now that Myers is in The Show, the Rays have to play him every day—through thick and thin.

As tempting as it might be for the team to platoon the right-handed hitting Myers—if he were to struggle—with the left-handed hitting Kelly Johnson, it’s far more important for the Rays' future to let Myers face some tough right-handed pitchers.

Baltimore Orioles

Nate McLouth, historically, has been bad versus left-handed pitching. In fact, the left-handed hitter owns a dismal career .225 batting average and park-adjusted 78 wRC+ against lefties. However, in 2013 McLouth has improved his production against southpaws, hitting to the tune of a .263 batting average and 125 wRC+ (which is a better rate than his 110 wRC+ against right-handed pitching). McLouth has actually hit two of his four home runs against lefties—but in just 15.3 percent of his plate appearances.

Yet, despite all the data in his favor, the Baltimore Orioles still sit the productive McLouth more often than not against left-handed pitching. To see if his newfound dominance is just a small sample size or aberration, the Orioles should feed McLouth more at-bats against his own kind.

What’s the worst that can happen?

Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers quickly gave up on closing prospect Bruce Rondon in the beginning of the season and, most recently, designated incumbent (and early-season signee) Jose Valverde for assignment. The Tigers seem to be content with Joaquin Benoit for the time being, but it’s likely the playoff contenders will target an “established” closer at the deadline.

Yet, Benoit might have actually been the best in-house closing option all along. The veteran reliever has posted a 2.01 ERA (vs. park-adjusted 2.76 xFIP), 1.02 WHIP and 4.11 K/BB in 2013 and possesses a good three-pitch repertoire (including a fastball that averages 93.7 mph).

Sure, Jonathan Papelbon would be an upgrade. But if the cost is top prospect Nick Castellanos (and possibly more), is the slight upgrade really worth the price?

Cleveland Indians

Prior to 2013, few critics believed the Cleveland Indians could be a contender with starting pitcher Justin Masterson anchoring the rotation. Yet the Indians have been full of surprises so far. The rotation, which should be have been a bottom-of-the-league producer, has instead been more middle-of-the-pack (its 4.28 ERA ranks ninth and park-adjusted 4.01 xFIP ranks eighth).

A middle-of-the-pack rotation also suffices when a team's offense is top-shelf. The Indians offense is tied for sixth in home runs (85), fourth in walk rate (9 percent) and fifth in park-adjusted wRC+ (108) in the American League.

With a solid overall team that's just three-and-a-half games out of first place, the Indians need to use the next few weeks to decide whether they should make a big deadline splash or just keep the team as is (i.e. not trade any prospects and make 2014 the year to contend).

Kansas City Royals

The Kansas City Royals were extremely aggressive this past offseason. The Royals dealt away top prospects Wil Myers and Jake Odorizzi for James Shields, took on the inconsistent Ervin Santana and his $13 million contract and signed Jeremy Guthrie to a three-year, $25 million free-agent deal.

Even though Shields and even Santana have pitched well, the team as a whole is three games below .500 and six-and-a-half games out of first place. It's also arguable that the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians, who are ahead of the Royals in the Central division, are both superior teams from a pure talent perspective, too.

In order to pump some self-esteem into the team, the Royals have to bridge the gap in the division race between now and the All-Star break. And if they don’t, the incessantly “rebuilding” Royals might have to blow up their roster yet again.

Minnesota Twins

While the Minnesota Twins aren’t nearly as bad as most people thought they’d be, the Twins are still four game below .500 and seven games out of first place in the Central. Given the bleak outlook, it was pretty shocking to see the Twins promote top prospect Oswaldo Arcia in mid-April. Yet, unlike the Twins’ other top outfield prospect Aaron Hicks, Arcia has actually played quite well.

Arcia, 22, has posted a .271 batting average (vs. park-adjusted 127 wRC+) with six home runs and a 7.8 percent walk rate. As tempting as it might be for the Twins to option Arcia back to Triple-A to stop his service clock, the young outfielder has proven to be of major league caliber—and he actually provides some semblance of excitement for the fans.

Chicago White Sox

The Chicago White Sox have been one of the worst teams in the American League. In fact, they only have two more wins than the Houston Astros. Given their disposition, the White Sox are a favorite to blow up their roster at the trade deadline.

General manager Kenny Williams has always been a man of bold moves, but considering Paul Konerko—one of Williams’ best potential trade chips—possesses 10-and-5 rights (he has the right to reject any trade), Williams might not be able to deal the veteran slugger to a contender this summer.

That is, unless Williams and the White Sox can somehow convince Konerko to waive his special veteran rights. The player’s union often dissuades players from doing so, but then again, Derrek Lee and Lance Berkman accepted summer trades in years past—so technically, it has been done.

Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers have the unique disposition of having too much infield talent. With Ian Kinsler (who refuses to play first base or DH full-time), Elvis Andrus and Adrian Beltre manning second base, shortstop and third base, respectively, there’s no room for super prospect Jurickson Profar.

Profar was arguably major league-ready last season, but the Rangers were even less willing to commit to him in 2012 than they have been so far in 2013. The Rangers have handed the infield prospect a total of 107 plate appearances to date—with 74 of them coming in June—but without a true starting role, Profar’s talents are being wasted.

With Kinsler, Andrus and Beltre under long contracts, it’s unlikely the team will look to move any of them. But in the meantime, Profar’s development is suffering.

Oakland Athletics

Dan Straily has looked brilliant in enough starts this season to warrant some recognition as a major league-caliber pitcher—but on that same token, the 24-year-old has also surrendered six earned runs in three outings too.

Straily has been slightly better than his statistics show, hurling a 5.00 ERA vs. park-adjusted 4.40 xFIP, but consistency is a reoccurring issue for him. If the Athletics want the recently optioned Straily to be a helpful piece to their 2013 (and beyond) success, they’ll have to hold his hand a bit in Triple-A to figure out the kinks and get him back to The Show in the second half.

Seattle Mariners

After saving 29 games last season for the Seattle Mariners, Tom Wilhelmsen was pulled from the role in 2013 after blowing his fifth save of the season on June 18. The move was a fair one, as Wilhemsen has also hurled a dismal 4.22 ERA (vs. park-adjusted 4.62 xFIP) and a 1.35 K/BB—all despite an incredibly low .217 BABIP.  

In his place, the Mariners have tried both Oliver Perez and Yoervis Medina. Perez, 31, had been out of the major leagues for almost two years before reinventing himself as a reliever last season. Medina, 24, had zero major league experience before 2013 and first started dabbling with relief work at Double-A in 2012.

Neither Perez nor Medina truly appears like the Mariners’ long-term closer, but since the team is 10-and-a-half games out of first place, they can use the next few weeks to establish a closer for the second half.

Los Angeles Angels

The Los Angeles Angels coveted a big slugging bat this past offseason and subsequently made a huge investment in Josh Hamilton. While the five-year, $133 million deal was lambasted, few people predicted Hamilton would go from one of the game’s most elite hitters to one of the game’s worst (at least in terms of starting corner outfielders).

Despite posting 43 home runs and a park-adjusted 140 wRC+ in 2012, Hamilton has seen those statistics shrink to a mere 10 home runs and 75 wRC+ in 2013. 

Money aside, the Angels need Hamilton to produce in order to win ball games. But in terms of the money, the Angels cannot afford to pay a hitter around $26.6 million per season to hit at the Mendoza line.

Houston Astros

Professional teams should never lose on purpose, but in the case of the Houston Astros, who are in full rebuild mode, losing more games than anyone else would net them the first overall pick in the 2014 draft. 

Only the Miami Marlins, as it stands, have lost more games—“besting” the Astros by two losses. In order to give themselves a better chance to lose, the Astros should look to trade Carlos Pena, Bud Norris, Lucas Harrell, Erik Bedard and Jose Veras between now and the deadline. 

The Astros might be a tough team to watch in 2013, but that’s sort of their goal.