Opening Day is just a week away and rosters around the Majors are beginning to take shape. MLB general managers are facing tough decisions in deciding who to keep on their big league clubs, but they know the 25 guys who make up the team on Day 1 are unlikely to be those same players who take the field on Aug. 1.
GMs are always thinking ahead, and the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline is the best chance they have at stockpiling prospects or landing a star to propel their team into the postseason.
Last season, the Indians and Cubs unloaded top players in their farm systems to acquire an elite reliever who helped guide them to the World Series. Cleveland's acquisition of Andrew Miller and Chicago's of Albertin Chapman put each club on the path to contending for a ring.
While the regular season has yet to begin, MLB.com takes you from team to team to provide insight as to what each one might do at the Trade Deadline four months from now.
AL East
Blue Jays: Toronto acquired pitchers Jason Grilli, Joaquin Benoit and Francisco Liriano last season to help the club reach the postseason for the second straight year. With an aging core of position players, look for the Blue Jays to be Deadline buyers yet again. More »
Orioles: Baltimore has been active near the Trade Deadline over the past few seasons, especially in August for waiver deals. The O's added lefty Wade Miley to their rotation at the 2016 Deadline and they could look to add more arms if in postseason contention come July. More »
Rays: Tampa Bay's performance over the first half of the 2017 season should dictate the direction it goes at the Deadline. With a hot start, the Rays could look to bolster their roster for a postseason run, but if not in contention, they could ship key pieces elsewhere. More »
Red Sox: Following the offseason acquisition of Chris Sale, Boston appears primed for the postseason with a deep roster. But with things not going according to plan with an injured David Price, the Sox figure to be on their toes in July to shore up any potential holes. More »
Yankees: The Yanks were sellers at the 2016 Trade Deadline, but they still threatened for an American League Wild Card spot late in the season. With a farm system flush with talent, GM Brian Cashman may be willing to part with top prospects to earn a playoff berth. A slow start could have the club taking a similar approach to a season ago. More »
AL Central
Indians: A midseason deal for Miller helped Cleveland reach the World Series and the offseason signings of Edwin Encarnacion and Boone Logan prove the Indians will do whatever they can to get back. The Tribe figures to survey the market heavily in July. More »
Royals: With several key pieces from the 2015 World Series championship club set for free agency, the Royals' postseason window could be closing. If they fall out of contention in the season's first half, look for them to sell some of those pieces at the Deadline. More »
Tigers: Like the Royals, the Tigers have multiple expiring contracts after the 2017 season and might look to see what they can get in return if they start off slowly. J.D. Martinez was discussed at last year's Trade Deadline and could be again this year if Detroit is out of contention early. More »
Twins: Second baseman James Dozier was at the center of trade discussions last July, but he ended up staying in Minnesota en route to a 42-homer season. The Twins are hoping for a quicker start in 2017, but if it doesn't come to fruition, it's possible Dozier is dealt this year. More »
White Sox: It has been a busy offseason for GM Rick Hahn, who brought in an impressive haul of highly regarded prospects in exchange for Sale and Adam Eaton. The youthful Sox may move Jose Quintana next, but will wait until their asking price is met. More »
AL West
Athletics: Oakland does not appear quite ready to contend in a division loaded with talent. If ace Sonny Gray, who is nursing a strained lat muscle, can regain his form, he could be the main subject of trade talks this year. More »
Angels: After signing a handful of players who are scheduled to hit free agency following the season, the Angels' record near the Deadline could have a direct effect on their level of activity. If the club is out of the playoff race, it may attempt to sell off pieces to bolster its farm system. More »
Astros: On paper, this looks like a team that should compete for a postseason spot and possibly a division title. After attempting to land Quintana this offseason, the Astros could try again in the middle of the season. More »
Mariners: General manager Jerry Dipoto has assembled what appears to be a well-balanced roster that could contend in the crowded AL West. With an MLB-leading 40 trades since taking over the job 17 months ago, don't be surprised if Dipoto is active in July. More »
Rangers: Texas brought in Cole Hamels midway though the 2015 season and acquired Jonathan Lucroy and Carlos Beltran midseason last year. The Rangers are likely to be buyers once again at the Deadline this year as they try to make another run at the World Series. More »
NL East
Braves: Atlanta brought in veteran pitchers Bartolo Colon, R.A. Dickey and Jaime Garcia this offseason on short-term contracts as the club looks to compete while simultaneously rebuilding. If the young Braves are not ready to take that next step toward contention in 2017, they may continue to add to their excellent farm system. More »
Marlins: With the offseason additions of Edinson Volquez and Dan Straily, Miami is inching closer to contending for a postseason spot. Without a true ace following the tragic death of Jose Fernandez last season, the Marlins could look to add more arms midseason. More »
Mets: Injuries have played a big part in holding back what could be a dominant rotation, but New York has all the pieces to win now. The Mets could try to add some depth to their rotation in July in case they get hit by the injury bug again. More »
Nationals: The future is the present. When GM Mike Rizzo exchanged three top pitching prospects for Eaton this offseason, he proved just that. The Nats will add any necessary pieces at the Trade Deadline that could help them win a World Series title. More »
Phillies: Despite having a number of veterans on one-year deals, the club is still largely in rebuild mode. If the Phillies find themselves out of the playoff race in July, they may continue to strengthen their farm system by selling off expiring contracts. More »
NL Central
Brewers: GM David Stearns traded Lucroy, Jeremy Jeffress, Will Smith and Aaron Hill in the weeks leading up to last year's Deadline and have a few potential trade chips again this season. If the Brewers are not in the postseason hunt two-thirds of the way through the 2017 season, they may see what the market holds for their trade chips. More »
Cardinals: Of the seven trades made within 10 days of the Trade Deadline in manager Mike Matheny's tenure, six have brought pitchers into the organization. That theme should continue this season for the always-contending Cardinals. More »
Cubs: The reigning World Series champions made a huge splash when they brought in Chapman in a midseason deal to help them win their first title since 1908. With a stacked roster, the usually active Theo Epstein could be a little quieter as the Deadline rolls around this season. More »
Pirates:Andrew McCutchen seemed to be on the verge of being dealt multiple times in the past year, but he remains in Pittsburgh where he will be the right fielder. If things go south for the Bucs before the Deadline this season, expect to hear McCutchen's name come up in trade rumors once again. More »
Reds:Zack Cozart should be a trade target for shortstop-needy teams around baseball. The Reds searched for trade suitors for the 31-year-old last season, but they were unable to find a match. A contending team may meet the asking price before the Deadline this year. More »
NL West
D-backs: Arizona's chances of contending in the NL West took a big hit in 2016 when it lost A.J. Pollock to a fractured elbow last Spring Training. With the D-backs' core healthy, a strong start to the year could have GM Mike Hazen buying at this season's Deadline. More »
Dodgers: Los Angeles has acquired four starters in the weeks leading up to the Trade Deadline in the past two seasons. With the Dodgers set to contend again in 2017, look for that pattern to continue this July. More »
Giants: San Francisco's front office loves retaining the club's core players, and for good reason: it has helped bring home three World Series trophies since 2010. The Giants figure to make a small more or two at the Deadline, if in contention, to help reinforce a late-season push. More »
Padres: GM A.J. Preller traded away several veteran players who were on the roster at the beginning of last season and has the future in sight. The Padres will likely look to add to their farm system, rated No. 4 overall by MLBPipeline.com, at the Deadline this season. More »
Rockies: Colorado wants to contend, but it has lost Ian Desmond, Tom Murphy and David Dahl to injuries this spring. However, with a balance of young talent and experience, the Rockies could be active at the Deadline with a solid start to the season. More »