MLB: Teams that Need to Make a Move Before the Deadline

The MLB trade deadline is just a day away, but there are some contenders that have yet to make a significant addition. With their being so many teams in contention for the postseason, there are a few clubs that must address their needs of they hope to separate from the pack.

What happens around the trade deadline can drastically affect the outlook of the MLB postseason push. Just last season, the Toronto Blue Jays, Texas Rangers and New York Mets all rode their midseason trade acquisitions to playoff berths. So while there will probably be no players of the caliber of David Price, Cole Hamels or Yoenis Cespedes changing clubs, there still are some players available that can shift the perception of who should be considered the favorites to advance to October baseball.

There have been some fairly big deals so far. Aroldis Chapman, Mark Melancon, Drew Pomeranz and a few other above average players have changed uniforms, but there are still some possible World Series caliber clubs that must improve their roster as we move closer to August 1.

The Nationals, Cubs and Red Sox have all gotten a jump on the pitching market and have set the price for what sellers will want for their impact arms, and buyers in this market will not like the high value that is being placed on both starters and relievers. In the Aroldis Chapman and Drew Pomeranz deals, the Red Sox and Cubs both gave away a top 30 ranked prospect, even with Chapman being an impending free agent and the former San Diego lefty not having much of a track record as a starting pitcher.

Nonetheless, while the asking prices are high, that’s what the trade market is right now and buyers are going to have to give up some of their top prospects in order to add to their major league ballclubs. So without further adieu, here are five teams that must swing a trade before 4 p.m. hits on Monday, August 1.

Next: Baltimore Orioles