How all 30 teams can upgrade at the Deadline
Mark Feinsand
Every team in the Majors will have a strategy leading up to Tuesday’s 6 p.m. ET Trade Deadline, and whether they’re planning to buy or sell – or, in some cases, do a little bit of each – decision-makers around the league will surely have an area of focus.
Whether it’s adding a starter, a reliever, an impact bat or a bench piece, every team has a need. In the case of sellers, it might be strengthening a specific area of the farm system.
With that in mind, here’s a look at one possible area that each club should be looking to upgrade by the Trade Deadline (all stats entering play Wednesday).
Jump to: AL East | AL Central | AL West | NL East | NL Central | NL West
AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST
Blue Jays: Controllable pitching
If the Blue Jays are serious about hanging on to their controllable players and making a run at the postseason in 2025, then dealing their expiring contracts for arms that can help them in the rotation or bullpen next season would make sense.
Orioles: Starting pitching
Baltimore has thrived this season despite a rotation that has been ravaged by injury, with Kyle Bradish, Tyler Wells and John Means all done for the season. If any club has the prospect capital to go after a big, controllable arm, it’s the Orioles, who figure to add at least one arm to the rotation.
Rays: Catcher
The Rays have some catching help coming through the system, but No. 5 prospect Dominic Keegan is still in Double-A and may not be ready to contribute as a regular in 2025. Tampa Bay could be looking to both buy and sell this week, so adding another backstop to help down the stretch could be an option.
Red Sox: Right-handed bat
Boston has struggled recently against left-handed pitching – they are 12-18 against lefty starters – and with no clear-cut timetable for Triston Casas’ return, the need for a right-handed bat is obvious. Toronto’s Justin Turner, who was the team’s clubhouse leader in 2023, would be a solid fit.
Yankees: Relief pitching
The Yankees have a number of areas they can upgrade this week, and while adding an infielder will be a priority, acquiring another reliever or two – specifically pitchers with swing-and-miss stuff – figures to be the No. 1 goal.
AL CENTRAL
Guardians: Starting pitching
Cleveland’s 4.53 rotation ERA ranks ahead of only the Angels and Athletics in the AL, so adding a starter is by far the biggest need for the Guardians. They would also benefit from the addition of a bat, likely at shortstop or in right field, but bolstering the rotation is the bigger priority.
Royals: Corner outfielder
Kansas City’s .638 outfield OPS ranks next-to-last in the Majors, ahead of only the White Sox (.634), while its .279 on-base percentage from the outfield is lowest in the game. Adding a versatile outfielder – preferably one who can also hit leadoff – would help lengthen the Royals’ lineup.
Tigers: Shortstop
Detroit’s lack of production at shortstop is alarming; their shortstops have a combined .489 OPS, a whopping 79 points behind the 29th-ranked Braves at the position. Sure, Javier Baez is signed for three more years and $73 million, but he’s already in a virtual platoon with Zach McKinstry, so bringing in help at shortstop by next season should be a priority.
Twins: Starting pitching
It’s unclear whether the Twins will be in position to add much payroll before the Deadline, but the starting rotation is the area they will likely try to address. Minnesota’s 4.40 rotation ERA ranks 22nd in the Majors, and because the entire rotation is signed beyond this year, adding a rental starter could make sense if the price is right.
White Sox: Outfielder
The White Sox will look for young hitters in general, but the outfield is a specific need, especially if Chicago trades Luis Robert Jr. this summer. Only two of the club’s top 20 prospects are outfielders, neither of whom have even reached Double-A, leaving plenty of room for improvement for the near future.
AL WEST
Angels: Prospects
It might be a wide-ranging area, but the Angels entered the season ranked No. 30 in MLB Pipeline’s organizational rankings, and after the graduation of Nolan Schanuel to the Majors, the club has only one player in the Top 100 (RHP Caden Dana, No. 89). Los Angeles has a number of chips to use in trades (infielder Luis Rengifo, reliever Carlos Estévez, outfielder Kevin Pillar and lefty starter Tyler Anderson among them) and should be targeting young talent at a number of positions to restock the farm system.
Astros: Starting pitching
Houston’s resurgence from would-be seller to division leader is even more impressive when you consider the state of the rotation. Cristian Javier, Jose Urquidy and J.P. France are done for the season, while Justin Verlander, Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr. have had injury issues of their own. Ronel Blanco and Hunter Brown have done their jobs, but the Astros could use another reliable starter who can take the ball every five days down the stretch.
Athletics: Young pitching
Oakland will be a seller this week, though all indications are that All-Star reliever Mason Miller won’t be traded. Brent Rooker could bring back a nice return for the Athletics, and adding some young, controllable pitching figures to be the goal for Oakland, which has only two pitchers – both currently in A-ball – among its top 10 prospects.
Mariners: First baseman
The Mariners’ recent decision to place Ty France on outright waivers made Seattle’s apparent need for help at first base even more obvious. No. 6 prospect Tyler Locklear may get a shot at the position, but the Mariners will likely look to add a veteran bat at first base by the Deadline.
Rangers: Right-handed-hitting outfielder
Texas has been inconsistent against left-handed pitching this season, though the potential return of Josh Jung could help that problem. Adding a right-handed bat in the outfield (or at DH) – Oakland’s Brent Rooker, perhaps? – would benefit the Rangers as they try to climb back into the postseason race.
NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST
Braves: Outfielder
Max Fried is slated to return next month, making the need for a starter secondary to outfield help. Atlanta’s .650 outfield OPS ranks ahead of only the Blue Jays, Royals and White Sox, though with Ronald Acuña Jr., Michael Harris II and Jarred Kelenic locked up beyond this season, the Braves will likely look for a rental player to help get them through 2024.
Marlins: Shortstop
The top of the Marlins’ prospect list is loaded with pitchers and outfielders, but the club has no imminent answer at shortstop. The Tim Anderson experiment was a bust, and while Miami has tried to convert a number of second basemen to shortstop (Xavier Edwards, Otto Lopez and Vidal Bruján), it remains to be seen if any of them can stick there long-term.
Mets: Relief pitching
The Mets added Phil Maton in a trade with the Rays earlier this month, but the need for relief help still exists. New York’s 4.12 bullpen ERA is tied for 18th in MLB, but Edwin Díaz, Adam Ottavino and Jake Diekman have been inconsistent, presenting the need for another late-inning arm.
Phillies: Relief pitching
Even with a pair of All-Star relievers (Matt Strahm and Jeff Hoffman), the Phillies could use another reliable late-inning arm thanks to the inconsistency of José Alvarado and Seranthony Dominguez this season. Philadelphia will also look for an outfield upgrade, but the bullpen is a more pressing need.
Nationals: First baseman
Washington has gotten only eight home runs and a .670 OPS from its first basemen this season, using a committee led by Joey Gallo (who has been on the IL since June 12), Joey Meneses (who was optioned to Triple-A) and currently Juan Yepez. With no obvious prospect coming up through the farm system, the Nationals could look to add a young first baseman to try solidifying the position.
NL CENTRAL
Brewers: Starting pitching
Milwaukee has been actively trying to upgrade its rotation, first with the unsuccessful Dallas Keuchel experiment, and later with the trade for Aaron Civale. DL Hall could be back in August, but the rotation behind Freddy Peralta, Colin Rea and Tobias Myers is thin, presenting the need for an arm or two that can deliver innings.
Cardinals: Starting pitching
Sonny Gray has been solid in his first year with St. Louis, but the Cardinals are in need of a No. 2 starter to slot ahead of Kyle Gibson and Lance Lynn. Tampa Bay’s Zach Eflin could fit the bill, though other starters are likely to become available as the Deadline draws closer.
Cubs: Catcher
While Miguel Amaya has hit better of late, the reality is that Cubs catchers have combined for six home runs and a .521 OPS in the first 103 games this season, leaving a big hole in the roster. No. 5 prospect Moises Ballesteros has made defensive strides this year, but some evaluators question whether he will stay behind the plate. And No. 16 prospect Pablo Aliendo is likely still two years away, leaving a need for an answer at catcher not only for ’24, but at least ’25.
Pirates: Outfielder
Pittsburgh’s outfield production has been weak all season, its .654 OPS ranking 26th in the Majors. Jack Suwinski (.602 OPS) and Michael A. Taylor (.525 OPS) have struggled at the plate, making an outfield upgrade an obvious need for the Pirates as they try to chase down a postseason spot.
Reds: First baseman
With a .622 OPS from its first basemen, the Reds rank last in the NL this season. Cincinnati has been using Spencer Steer or Jeimer Candelario at the position since Christian Encarnacion-Strand landed on the injured list in May, and while Steer has had a decent year, adding a first baseman would allow the club to move him back to left field.
NL WEST
D-Backs: Relief pitching
Arizona seems comfortable with its position players, and with the rotation getting healthier with the expected returns of Merrill Kelly and Eduardo Rodriguez, the bullpen could be the area that GM Mike Hazen looks to strengthen.
Dodgers: Starting pitching
Even with the return of Tyler Glasnow and Clayton Kershaw (and eventually Walker Buehler) from the injured list, the Dodgers are seeking to make another upgrade to the rotation given the uncertainty surrounding Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s future and the recent decision to designate James Paxton for assignment. Garrett Crochet and Tarik Skubal are on Los Angeles’ radar.
Giants: Middle infielder
The middle infield has been an issue for the Giants, who have an underperforming Thairo Estrada at second base and the combination of Brett Wisely and Tyler Fitzgerald at shortstop. San Francisco’s .618 OPS at second base is tied for last in the NL, making that spot more of an urgent need.
Padres: Starting pitching
San Diego’s rotation has pitched well of late, but with Joe Musgrove and Yu Darvish still out of action, the need remains to add a starter to bolster the starting staff. GM A.J. Preller is never shy about making a big move, and while the Padres have been linked to Garrett Crochet, impending free agent Jack Flaherty could be an option, too.
Rockies: Controllable pitching
Colorado’s 5.52 ERA is easily the highest in the Majors, though it’s hard to pinpoint the bigger problem: both the rotation and bullpen possess the highest ERAs in the game. Acquiring Major League-ready pitchers for either group is a must as the Rockies look to rebuild.
