Whether or not it’s a contender attempting to find the ultimate piece of a championship puzzle, a bubble group attempting to remain within the race or a rebuilding membership trying to top off for the longer term, each group has its share of wants to deal with previous to the Commerce Deadline.
Irrespective of the method, the purpose is similar for each group: Come out of the Deadline in a greater place than they went in.
With the assistance of MLB.com’s beat reporters, right here’s a have a look at one space every membership ought to be trying to improve by the Commerce Deadline on July 31.
All stats are by way of Sunday.
Blue Jays: Excessive-end pitchingThe Blue Jays don’t want depth, they want star energy. Throughout the board, this lineup, rotation and bullpen have performed properly to outlive accidents due to some spectacular growth tales, however the ceiling of this roster wants a lift if Toronto goes to make a run in October. That might come within the type of a back-end reliever, much like when the Blue Jays added Jordan Hicks in 2023. If they aim a starter, it could must be somebody able to beginning a postseason recreation, so their bar must be excessive as they consider this market. — Keegan Matheson
Orioles: Prospects nearing the massive leaguesUnless the O’s go on fairly a run over the following two or so weeks, they’ll doubtless be sellers on the Deadline. They’ll have the potential to buy a number of standout gamers on expiring contracts, comparable to All-Star designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn, middle fielder Cedric Mullins and a number of pitchers. However the Orioles will purpose to contend in 2026, contemplating they nonetheless have a robust, younger core. So if they might purchase any Minor Leaguers who’re near reaching the Majors, it might be helpful for subsequent 12 months. — Jake Rill
Rays: RelieverThe Rays’ rotation is sort of uncharacteristically well-stocked. Their 5 starters haven’t missed a flip to this point this season. Shane McClanahan is on the way in which again. Joe Boyle and Ian Seymour seem like MLB-ready choices in Triple-A. And Tampa Bay’s lineup has been a pleasing shock, getting into the week ranked within the high 10 in runs and OPS, and that was earlier than Ha-Seong Kim joined the combo. The Rays haven’t requested as a lot of their bullpen as common, but it surely’s in all probability the obvious space to deal with with the postseason in thoughts. Their bullpen ranks in the midst of the pack in ERA, WHIP and WAR (per FanGraphs) and had a number of late-inning hiccups in the course of the Rays’ weekend sequence in opposition to the Twins. They’ve loads of depth and inner choices, however one other dependable arm in entrance of nearer Pete Fairbanks may go a great distance. — Adam Berry
Pink Sox: First baseman with popThis has been a necessity since Triston Casas ruptured his left patellar tendon on Might 2. It grew to become much more of a necessity on June 15, when Rafael Devers was traded to the Giants, taking one other highly effective lefty bat out of Boston’s lineup. Combine in an affect acquisition at first base with the upcoming return from accidents of Alex Bregman and Masataka Yoshida and the Pink Sox may have a potent offense. — Ian Browne
Guardians: Controllable right-handed batAny improve for the Guardians should begin with a hitter who may help for the remainder of 2025 and within the coming seasons — and ideally somebody who may help in opposition to lefties. The Guardians’ offense has been the worst within the Majors since June 1; getting into Monday, Cleveland ranked final within the Majors in runs (81), common (.203), on-base proportion (.271), slugging proportion (.323) and wRC+ (67). Over that very same stretch, they slashed simply .205/.273/.328 vs. southpaws. — Tim Stebbins
Royals: Energy batAny type of offense could be an improve for the Royals, who’re hoping to not squander a extremely good pitching employees with an offense that has struggled to attain runs all season. The outfield makes probably the most sense positionally for an improve, particularly with Royals outfielders rating because the worst offensive group in MLB. However some versatility with their present roster permits the Royals just a little extra flexibility if there’s a match elsewhere on the sphere. — Anne Rogers
Tigers: Controllable beginning pitcherThird base has stabilized with the shift of Colt Keith to the new nook and the return of Matt Vierling from the IL, however the rotation is displaying some cracks with Jackson Jobe’s season-ending elbow damage, Jack Flaherty’s summer time struggles and blended outcomes for the “pitching chaos” technique. Including a top-half starter with years of management wouldn’t solely bolster the rotation forward of October and reduce the workload on a taxed bullpen, it may doubtlessly assist additional Detroit’s window past subsequent season ought to the Tigers and Tarik Skubal not discover frequent floor on a contract extension. — Jason Beck
Twins: Proper-handed nook batThe Twins have struggled to stop runs at occasions over the previous month, however their rotation ought to be getting wholesome earlier than too lengthy. Their lineup mainly is wholesome and it nonetheless will get caught within the mud an excessive amount of. An actual risk in opposition to left-handed pitching, particularly one who may play a number of positions, could be an enormous assist. — Matthew Leach
White Sox: ShortstopThis selection appears a bit fascinating with Colson Montgomery, the No. 5 White Sox prospect per MLB Pipeline, making his triumphant debut at shortstop this previous weekend in Colorado, and with rookie Chase Meidroth already having performed 56 Main League video games on the spot. There are also gifted choices comparable to Caleb Bonemer (No. 9 White Sox prospect) inside the system. However normal supervisor Chris Getz has talked about energy up the center for his creating group and one of the best athletes typically are on the shortstop place. Total, the White Sox are searching for younger expertise to proceed strengthening their core. — Scott Merkin
Angels: DepthAlthough they’re hanging round within the AL Wild Card race and will use assist in a number of areas, such because the bullpen, nook infield and middle area, the Angels aren’t prone to be aggressive consumers on the Commerce Deadline. The Halos may find yourself shopping for and promoting with one eye on this season and one other on the longer term. They only do not appear prone to commerce any helpful prospects. — Rhett Bollinger
Astros: Left-handed batThe Astros traded Kyle Tucker in December and have been with out injured slugger Yordan Alvarez for the previous two months — and who is aware of how lengthy after that — so the necessity to add a left-handed bat is paramount. Positional flexibility will likely be key, particularly if he can play some left area and second base, and even perhaps some first base. By Sunday, the Astros had solely 357 at-bats by a left-handed hitter, which was by far the fewest within the large leagues. In twenty ninth place sit the Angels, with 681. — Brian McTaggart
Athletics: PitchingThe A’s have already recognized a gifted younger core on offense headlined by All-Star rookie shortstop Jacob Wilson, reigning AL Rookie of the Month Nick Kurtz and dynamic outfielder Lawrence Butler. The subsequent step is to fortify their pitching, which entered Monday with a mixed 5.32 ERA, the second-highest group ERA within the Majors subsequent to solely the Rockies (5.51). Bolstering their bullpen and rotation is a should to enrich this potent offense. — Martín Gallegos
Mariners: An affect bat, ideally at nook infieldThe Mariners have all the time baked the Deadline into their roster-building technique, however this 12 months’s dearth of obtainable bats — not less than proper now — may hinder their hopes of touchdown a major improve within the coming weeks. Their clearest wants are on the nook infield spots, however sources have instructed that they could search to easily purchase one of the best bat(s) accessible, no matter place, and determine it out after the very fact. They’ll have a farm system that is ranked No. 5 by MLB Pipeline to deal from, and a inexperienced mild for elevated spending from possession, too. — Daniel Kramer
Regardless of having a pitching employees and a bullpen that has persistently been within the high three in baseball this season, the Rangers’ offense has been holding them again from pushing previous the .500 threshold. Although key gamers like Corey Seager, Marcus Semien and Adolis García have discovered their swings over the past month, Texas has struggled to search out consistency all through the lineup. There aren’t many open positions for the Rangers to fit in a brand new bat, however with Joc Pederson nonetheless weeks away as he rehabs a proper hand fracture, designated hitter might be the clearest spot. — Kennedi Landry
Braves: Place participant prospectsThe Braves might not get a lot in return from buying and selling Marcell Ozuna, Ozzie Albies or Raisel Iglesias, however they will not less than add some bats to a farm system barren of high quality place gamers. The beginning rotation appears to be like stable with Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach and Grant Holmes controllable over the following few years. JR Ritchie and Cam Caminiti must also make their means towards the Majors inside the subsequent few seasons. However this is a company that should start discovering place gamers who can not less than present the interior depth that doesn’t at the moment exist. — Mark Bowman
Marlins: Higher-level shortstopMiami’s philosophy is “greatest accessible” with regards to commerce returns, however the group nonetheless lacks upper-level prospects at shortstop. Whereas Otto Lopez, 26, has been stable since transferring from second base to quick, is he a multi-year reply? The Marlins additionally may use extra energy. They entered Monday with the fifth-fewest homers (79) within the Majors. Deyvison De Los Santos (Triple-A) and Kemp Alderman (Double-A) are the one true upper-level sluggers in Miami’s system. — Christina De Nicola
Mets: Left-handed reliefBelieve it or not, the largest want right here isn’t beginning pitching — not with Sean Manaea, Kodai Senga, Tylor Megill and Paul Blackburn all due again earlier than the top of July. Actually, the Mets may stand to improve their rotation, however what they really want is reduction assist. Particularly, they’ve lacked a shutdown left-handed choice since A.J. Minter and Danny Younger each suffered season-ending accidents again in April. Filling that hole may assist all the employees thrive. — Anthony DiComo
Phillies: BullpenThe Phillies misplaced Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez to free company within the offseason. They signed Jordan Romano to a one-year deal to attempt to assist exchange them. Nevertheless it hasn’t gone as deliberate, partially as a result of left-hander José Alvarado was suspended 80 video games for a PED violation. If the Phillies wish to not solely make the postseason but additionally go far, they really want a lockdown, late-inning, closer-type right-handed reliever. Why right-handed? Properly, Alvarado will likely be again in mid-August, and whereas he received’t be eligible to pitch within the playoffs, the Phillies can transfer one in all their beginning left-handers (Ranger Suárez, Cristopher Sánchez, Jesús Luzardo) to the bullpen come October. — Todd Zolecki
Brewers: Energy batThey received the division final season primarily with velocity, protection and pitching, however in addition they had shortstop Willy Adames hitting 33 dwelling runs. Now that Adames is gone, and with catcher William Contreras’ slugging proportion down greater than 100 factors as he performs with a fractured finger, Milwaukee is lacking the type of energy risk it typically takes to select off a win or two when the opposing pitching is so good it makes developing lengthy rallies a problem. That want has turn into much more evident after first baseman Rhys Hoskins suffered a sprained left thumb on Saturday. The place would this thriller addition match? Third base might be one place, or within the outfield. Designated hitter is another choice if the membership is assured that Christian Yelich is prepared for normal responsibility in left area. — Adam McCalvy
Cardinals: Assist for the rotation
The Cardinals are within the backside half of MLB in group ERA (4.08) and runs allowed (399), and issues have gotten worse in current weeks. Since June 22, St. Louis has a 4.91 ERA, which ranks twenty sixth in baseball, and has allowed the fifth-most runs (71). The starters have been the primary culprits, having allowed 48 earned runs throughout that point, second-most in MLB. Erick Fedde and Miles Mikolas each had two consecutive begins not too long ago through which they allowed six or extra earned runs. So, rotation assist ought to be the precedence for a group that’s nonetheless hanging within the NL Wild Card race. — Jason Foster
Cubs: Add to rotationThe Cubs not too long ago noticed Shota Imanaga return from the IL, however veteran righty Jameson Taillon was then shelved for not less than a month as a consequence of a calf damage. Justin Steele can be out for the season after present process left elbow surgical procedure. Whereas first-time All-Star Matthew Boyd has been a gentle hand, Cade Horton has proven promise as a rookie and Colin Rea has stepped up admirably, the North Siders want not less than one arm for the stretch run. Count on the Cubs to focus on a frontline starter, and maybe some depth items, to shore up the employees for the run to October. — Jordan Bastian
Pirates: Energy batThe Pirates have loads of pitching up for grabs this Deadline, however they want extra bats. They rank final in MLB in slugging proportion (.341) and extra-base hits, and excluding Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds, they don’t actually have a hitter who has 25-30 dwelling run potential. The Pirates want to have the ability to create extra fast offense, and they need to have the pitching to make such a deal attainable. — Alex Stumpf
Reds: Proper fielderWith a .641 OPS mixed from their proper fielders this season, the Reds are tied for twenty seventh in MLB in that division. So it’s an space the place Cincinnati can add some constant energy to additional lengthen their lineup after not too long ago getting each Austin Hays and Noelvi Marte again from accidents. — Mark Sheldon
D-backs: Reduction pitchingIf they’re consumers, the Diamondbacks will look so as to add to their bullpen. With co-closers A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez each out for the season after Tommy John surgical procedure, the again finish of the bullpen is in want of assist. For GM Mike Hazen to surrender a treasured prospect, nevertheless, there would must be a number of years of management with the pitcher or pitchers they get in return. — Steve Gilbert
Dodgers: Left-handed batThe Dodgers have been inspired by the information that Max Muncy sustained a left knee bone bruise, moderately than a season-ending damage, however they’ll nonetheless be with out their power-hitting third baseman for an prolonged interval. As a result of Michael Conforto has but to select it up, a left-handed hitter with some pop might be a useful addition to the lineup. The Dodgers may additionally stand to stabilize their pitching employees, however bridging Muncy’s absence appears like the larger want at this level. — Sonja Chen
Giants: Beginning pitcherThe Giants might have one of the best 1-2 punch in baseball in All-Stars Logan Webb and Robbie Ray, however they might use some extra depth behind their co-aces, particularly after dealing younger lefty Kyle Harrison to the Pink Sox as a part of the Rafael Devers commerce. Justin Verlander is winless by way of his first 14 begins of the 12 months, Landen Roupp has already thrown extra innings than he did final 12 months and Hayden Birdsong has recorded a 6.94 ERA over his previous 5 begins, underscoring the necessity for extra reinforcements. — Maria Guardado
Padres: Left fielderThe Padres have gotten common or above-average manufacturing at nearly each spot on the sphere, besides for 2: catcher and left area. They’ll not less than stay with the dearth of firepower at catcher, given the defense-first nature of the place. However they entered Monday with a .621 OPS in left area that ranked twenty seventh within the Majors. (Recently, that quantity has been inflated by Gavin Sheets enjoying out of place.) The Padres’ lineup is powerful, but it surely’s top-heavy. Including a bat is their first precedence — and a reliable left fielder shouldn’t be too exhausting to search out on the commerce market. — AJ Cassavell
Rockies: Beginning pitchingThe Rockies want to enhance their expertise degree everywhere in the area, however beginning pitching is an evergreen challenge for the group. As a result of free brokers keep away from Colorado, the Rox need to develop starters or commerce for them. With starters Germán Márquez and Austin Gomber within the ultimate 12 months of their contracts, buying and selling them is sensible. However someway the Rockies have to get younger, controllable pitching — whether or not it’s by transferring Márquez and Gomber, or dealing others comparable to third baseman Ryan McMahon. — Thomas Harding
