MLB Trade Deadline 2015: Examining Teams in Need of Upgrades for Playoff Push

Not every MLB playoff contender procrastinated until Friday's non-waiver trade deadline. Several clubs can rest easy and enjoy the fruit of their labors, but others must cram for a last-second deal before the window closes at 4 p.m. ET.

The Kansas City Royals bolstered their rotation with ace Johnny Cueto and added the versatile Ben Zobrist to their lineup. Needing starting pitching behind aces Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke, the Los Angeles Dodgers acquired Alex Wood and Mat Latos in a massive three-team deal, as reported by Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. 

Minute Maid Park was right to move Taylor Swift's concert to ensure it wouldn't interfere with a possible Houston Astros playoff game. The club announced it had enhanced its chances by snagging Carlos Gomez and Mike Fiers days after netting Scott Kazmir. 

Yet no playoff hopeful had a more glaring need than the Toronto Blue Jays, whose MLB-best offense has struggled to overcome a lagging pitching staff. After splurging for Troy Tulowitzki, they addressed their true sore spot by landing David Price from the Detroit Tigers, per ESPN.com.

Another arm wouldn't hurt, but Toronto is now geared to make some noise in the American League. Its move put pressure on a division adversary that has disproved the whole "city that never sleeps" label, along with its geographic foe. 

New York Yankees

Need: SP

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

Even with a six-game lead in the American League East, the New York Yankees can't get too comfortable.

On Thursday, ESPN.com's Andrew Marchand passed on the unfortunate news of Michael Pineda being placed on the disabled list:

While his 3.97 ERA isn't impressive, he led the staff with a stellar 2.96 fielding independent pitching (FIP), 117 strikeouts and 15 walks through 118 innings. Tagged with a 4.32 ERA, the Yankees' starting staff needed help before Pineda went down.

Making matters worse, they still have a dozen games remaining against the Blue Jays, who boast the AL's best run differential (plus-100) and two new stars. According to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal, all of these factors make it likely the Bronx Bombers will make a move or two:

ESPN's Jim Bowden suggested the San Diego Padres as a trade partner, as general manager A.J. Preller looks to press the reset button:

Moving from Petco Park to Yankee Stadium is a nightmare scenario for Tyson Ross, James Shields or Andrew Cashner. New York also doesn't have a deep farm system to spare outside of top prospects Aaron Judge and Luis Severino, limiting it to a mid-level target such as Cashner, Jeff Samardzija or Yovani Gallardo.

New York Mets

Needs: OF, RP

Jeff Chiu/Associated Press

You know what would be perfect? If the New York Mets could find a fairly young center fielder with power, speed and a bargain contract through 2016. If they can acquire him without ransacking their farm system, all the better.

For a few glorious hours, they appeared to have obtained Carlos Gomez from the Milwaukee Brewers for Zack Wheeler and Wilmer Flores. Despite initial speculation that Milwaukee got cold feet about risking Wheeler's recovery from Tommy John surgery, Rosenthal said the Mets had second thoughts:

Gomez (and apparently the Astros) don't share the same fears, per MLB.com's Adam McCalvy:

Either way, the Mets now must regroup after an embarrassing two days that saw them strand their sobbing shortstop on the field and relinquish a 7-5 lead following an untimely rain delay with two out in the ninth.

Ranked No. 30 in weighted on-base average, they need more offense to sneak into the postseason. Gomez represented an ideal fit to patrol center, and the two sides probably won't reconvene to discuss Gerardo Parra.

That leaves several corner outfielders: Justin Upton, Jay Bruce, Marlon Byrd and Yoenis Cespedes are likely all on the block. Picking any of them up would strip Michael Conforto of his newly gained spot in left field or force veteran Curtis Granderson to man center field. Talks have particularly caught fire around Bruce, with ESPN's Buster Olney reporting the Cincinnati Reds' interest in Wheeler:

While the Mets already acquired Tyler Clippard from the Oakland Athletics, Jenrry Mejia promptly received a 162-game suspension for his second failed drug test. Making matters worse, Jeurys Familia has blown all three save opportunities since the All-Star break, surrendering five runs over his past two outings.

Regression was always looming for the young closer, who has benefited from a .248 batting average on balls in play (BABIP). There's room for more trouble, as he still holds a 2.22 ERA despite a 3.26 FIP. 

Note: All advanced stats courtesy of FanGraphs.