Trade Deadline strategies for all 30 teams

July 18th, 2018

All great things start with a solid foundation. Now that we're halfway through the season, and the groundwork is set, buyers, sellers and hopefuls are coming into focus ahead of the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline. Teams are assembling hard-throwing, hot-hitting armies in a merciless push toward postseason contention. And we have you covered -- delivering blueprints and midterm reports for all Major League Baseball teams -- before flipping the page from July to August.
Here is MLB.com's projected Trade Deadline strategy for every MLB team.
AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST
Blue Jays: After beginning the 2018 campaign with great promise, Toronto entered the All-Star break with a 43-52 record. The Blue Jays are expected to sell at the Trade Deadline in hopes of acquiring prospects to match the next wave of talent, re: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. More >
Orioles: Now that they've traded Manny Machado to the Dodgers for five prospects, closer Zach Britton is also a big piece who could be moved before the Deadline. More >
Rays: Tampa Bay put the naysayers to rest when an innovative strategy of using relievers to start bullpen days brought winning results. Will it lead the Rays to postseason contention? More >
Red Sox: Boston is living in its glory days, showcasing a bullish first-half performance with few shortcomings. How will its president of baseball operations look to make a potent team even stronger? More >

Yankees: The Yankees are performing just as we predicted, using a star-studded lineup to boast MLB's best home run total. Despite that, they head into the second half as MLB's second-best team (62-33), focused on starting pitching. More >
AL CENTRAL
Indians: Deja vu, as the Indians sit atop the AL Central, poised once again to make a push for a World Series title. Will they swing an impact arm to boost their bullpen? More >
Royals: Kansas City is one of a handful of teams in its early stages of rebuilding, aiming to restock its Minor League system with top prospects. More >
Tigers: Detroit took a ride on an emotional roller coaster, overperforming to start the season, then falling victim to the injury bug. The Tigers seek young hitters at the Trade Deadline, but what do they have to offer? More >
Twins: The brewing returns of two key players in and make the Twins seller-avoidant, but that depends on how well they do out of the gate in the second half. More >
White Sox: The South Siders are sticking to the approach of maintaining talent development. How will All-Star and veteran play into their Trade Deadline outlook? More >

AL WEST
A's: This young core of A's is a hot topic in the postseason conversation, pushing Oakland to be buyers. For an October run, the club seeks affordable arms to complement its bold flair. More >
Angels: The Halos may have no choice but to part with their hard-earned offseason assets in order to save a highly anticipated, and consistently delayed, postseason run for another year. More >
Astros: The reigning World Series champs have lived up to their hype so well that they don't have enough weaknesses to warrant losing prospects for a major pickup. Unless they want to be greedy. More >

Mariners: Seattle finally has the assets to end MLB's longest playoff drought. But will the impending return of , and the position he'll patrol, be a cause for concern? More >
Rangers: The Rangers, as sellers, will look for structure to their pitching staff, becoming the latest team to throw their hat into the rebuilding ring. More >
NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST
Braves: Already a threat in the NL East, the Braves are one key upgrade away from making a legitimate postseason run. Can Atlanta's offer of high-quality prospects provide the support it needs? More >
Marlins: The Fish still have plenty of work to be done before the fog clears in their ongoing rebuild under a Derek Jeter-owned franchise. Which players are they willing to bestow? More >
Mets: The Mets -- continually plagued by injuries -- seesaw between contending in 2019 and dumping their current roster for a full-fledged rebuild. Will a former trade partner supply the missing pieces? More >

Nationals: The preseason favorite looks like it is in position to make a run for October; the Nats enter the second half with high aspirations. More >
Phillies: The Phils open the second-half in first place in the NL East, and they're so close to being complete that the club is homing in on definitive reinforcements. More >
NL CENTRAL
Brewers: A revamped roster led Milwaukee to set a franchise record number of wins (55) before the All-Star break. What are the Brewers seeking to sustain their success? More >
Cardinals: As evidenced by replacing managers midseason, the Cards are committed to making a final push for the postseason. Now, St. Louis hangs in the balance of buying or selling before the Trade Deadline. More >
Cubs: The two-time defending division champs are competing without the phenomenal pitching staff they expected. Will they make another blockbuster move, or a series of acquisitions, before time is up? More >
Pirates: The Bucs' Trade Deadline plans depend on how well they perform at the start of their second act. If they pick up where they left off -- winning eight of their past nine contests -- Pittsburgh could make a run for it. More >

Reds: Cincinnati painted a pleasant picture of what's to come in 2019. A key trade chip in Matt Harvey will boost its chances of acquiring younger starting pitchers. More >
NL WEST
D-backs: The D-backs amplified last season's postseason berth with another strong run for contention. Strong arms in both the rotation and bullpen involve their Trade Deadline decisions, as headliners A.J. Pollock, and near free agency. More > 
Dodgers: Even after acquiring Machado, they'll still be buyers. But with the payroll maxed out, it's time for bargain shopping. More >
Giants: Time and time again, San Francisco has proven to be a buyer at the Trade Deadline. The Giants' possession of a formidable bat off the bench could be a possible trade chip for interested teams. More >
Padres: No shot at contending in 2018 and a stacked farm system leaves the Padres with many questions nearing the Trade Deadline. One: Which pieces can San Diego acquire to become a part of its future? More >
Rockies: The Rockies made a major statement, winning 13 out of their 16 final first-half games. Will Colorado benefit by holding or buying at the Trade Deadline? More >