Here’s every team’s Trade Deadline strategy

August 29th, 2020

American League East

Blue Jays: They've already added Daniel Vogelbach and Taijuan Walker, but the upstart Blue Jays could still look to improve their bench and pitching depth. More >

Orioles: The Orioles are still thinking long-term and could sell despite being in the thick of the postseason race. They have a few veterans who could be of interest to contenders. More >

Rays: With their staff decimated by injuries, the Rays will be in the market for pitching help -- both in the bullpen and in the rotation. More >

Red Sox: Boston is clearly a seller, with an eye on young pitchers who are on the cusp of the Majors. The biggest question is whether J.D. Martinez will be moved. More >

Yankees: New York's depth is once again being tested by injuries, and the club's biggest needs are a starting pitcher and a reliever after James Paxton and Tommy Kahnle went down. Young sluggers Miguel Andújar and Clint Frazier could be dangled as trade bait. More >

AL Central

Indians: Cleveland needs offensive help, particularly in the outfield, and has the pitching depth to make a big move. After trading Trevor Bauer at last year's Trade Deadline, could the Tribe deal Mike Clevinger this year? More >

Royals: In the midst of a strong rebound season, closer Trevor Rosenthal is reportedly drawing significant interest on the trade market. But will Kansas City keep him and try to re-sign the impending free agent? More >

Tigers: Matthew Boyd's struggles have dropped his trade value, but Jonathan Schoop, Cameron Maybin and Austin Romine are among the rental players who could help contenders. More >

Twins: Minnesota has compiled one of the best rosters in MLB and will get back Josh Donaldson, Byron Buxton and Michael Pineda soon. But does that mean the Twins are standing pat? More >

White Sox: Chicago's combination of young talent and veteran additions has come together to put the club in contention for the AL Central crown. Is general manager Rick Hahn ready to swing for the fences at the Deadline? More >

AL West

Angels: The Halos could sell after an underwhelming first half, but with Mike Trout in his prime, the club isn't looking to tear things down. The Angels could consider moving Dylan Bundy if the right offer comes along, however. More >

Astros: Houston is on the lookout for an experienced reliever and could target a starting pitcher as well, though Justin Verlander is hoping to return from a right forearm strain later this season. More >

Athletics: With a potent offense and bullpen that leads the AL in ERA, most of the trade talks involving the A’s are likely to center around starting pitching. Could they pry Lance Lynn away from the AL West-rival Rangers? More >

Mariners: With Vogelbach and Walker already dealt, they still have some veterans who could be dealt as they continue to build for the future. More >

Rangers: Lynn is Texas' most coveted player, but he's under control for 2021. What would it take for the Rangers to trade him? More >

National League East

Braves: Even after Ian Anderson's impressive debut against the Yankees on Wednesday, the Braves are looking to bolster their rotation with Mike Soroka (torn Achilles, out for season) and Cole Hamels (left triceps tendinitis, 45-day IL) on the IL. More >

Marlins: After trading Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich, Marcell Ozuna and J.T. Realmuto in recent years, the Marlins are in playoff contention this season and could add to the big league roster. More >

Mets: General manager Brodie Van Wagenen has indicated a preference to be conservative, but as long as Van Wagenen is in charge, there's always a chance the Mets do something unexpected. For now, they'll canvass the market in hopes of spurring the same type of late-season rally that nearly propelled them to a playoff spot in 2019. More >

Nationals: Injuries and elections not to play the 2020 season by multiple veterans have given Washington's roster a different look than initially projected. The Nationals have turned heavily to their alternate training site to fill the gaps, but general manager Mike Rizzo could still be a buyer, if the price is right. More >

Phillies: This club couldn't wait until the Trade Deadline to shore up its bullpen, and with postseason expectations looming overhead, the Phillies could certainly remain active right up until Monday. Superstar Bryce Harper seems to believe that will be the case. More >

National League Central

Brewers: Milwaukee has not hit nearly as much as president of baseball operations David Stearns expected, so Monday's Trade Deadline presents an opportunity. The Brewers can help nudge Stearns in a buyer's direction with a strong weekend; as manager Craig Counsell told MLB Network Radio this week: "The more games you win, the more aggressive it's going to help your front office be." More >

Cardinals: After a COVID-19 outbreak affected a third of their roster and paused their schedule, the Cardinals hope that reinforcements from the COVID-19 injured list will boost their roster. That might mean St. Louis stays neutral at the Deadline, but president of baseball operations John Mozeliak maintains his club is "open to anything." More >

Cubs: Chicago's front office has built a reputation for pulling off impact trades in recent years when the World Series was within its sights. With the North Siders in first place, the Cubs could very well fall into the buyers category this year. More >

Pirates: A slow start combined with a new regime and an unproven roster means the Bucs will likely be motivated sellers. The goal remains the same as the day general manager Ben Cherington took over: Get better. More >

Reds: Cincinnati invested $166 million in the offseason believing it had improved enough to go deep into October, but it hasn't played that way so far. Reds president of baseball operations Dick Williams and general manager Nick Krall will likely try to be buyers -- and definitely won’t be sellers -- because of the urgency to win. More >

National League West

D-backs: The D-backs looked to be sure buyers as recently as 10 days ago, but an eight-game losing streak quickly altered their outlook -- and possibly made Arizona more open to selling. General manager Mike Hazen's club is not in a rebuilding mode, so don't look for core pieces to leave town. It's more likely that players heading into free agency are dealt. More >

Dodgers: Front office leader Andrew Friedman has swung massive Deadline deals before (Yu Darvish, Manny Machado), but the Dodgers are off to such a good start that this makes it a tougher Deadline to read for L.A.

“We’re not looking around our team right now and saying, ‘We have an acute need at this position, let’s get the best one that we can,’” Friedman said. More >

Giants: San Francisco is surging into the Trade Deadline for the second straight year, leaving president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi with a lot to think about. Zaidi mixed holding with selling last year, keeping his biggest trade chips in Madison Bumgarner and Will Smith while dealing relievers Mark Melancon, Sam Dyson and Drew Pomeranz. It could be a similar blend of approaches in 2020. More >

Padres: San Diego's elite farm system is making big contributions in the bigs this year, but the Padres still have one of the best farm systems in the sport. That puts general manager A.J. Preller in an interesting position; his club's status as a contender, plus its deep pool of prospects, could make for a busy weekend. More >

Rockies: Colorado has come back to Earth after its 11-3 start, but its front office doesn't believe the club is as bad as its recent 2-12 downturn suggests. The rotation has been surprisingly strong, and the Rockies might believe in their starters enough to make themselves buyers for a good rental player for the final push. More >