5 MLB Teams Who Should be Buyers at the Trade Deadline
5 Trade Deadline Buyers
The MLB Trade Deadline is now officially a week away. The time is approaching where many teams need to decide if they will be buyers or sellers. Some teams feel like they are just one piece away from becoming contenders. While others feel like the deficit they face is too large to overcome and it would be best to trade off their valuable assets and look towards 2014.
This trade deadline looks like it will be quieter than many others in the past. One of the big pieces, Matt Garza, has already moved to the Texas Rangers as they are hoping to catch the Oakland Athletics in the AL West. The Baltimore Orioles have also responded by solidifying their bullpen with the acquisition of Francisco Rodriguez.
The pieces are starting to fall in place. Although there are not a lot of big names out there right now, a few teams might decide to become sellers, which would open up the market quite a bit more. Could the Philadelphia Phillies big pieces, Cliff Lee, Chase Utley and Jonathan Papelbon, become available? Will the Chicago White Sox or Toronto Blue Jays conduct a fire sale because of disappointing seasons?
The answers to these questions will have a direct impact on who will become buyers at the trade deadline. For the next seven days, we will see who will follow suit and try to keep up with the Rangers and Orioles. Things will certainly get interesting. Here are five teams who could make a splash and should be buyers at the deadline.
Zach Slotter is a contributor for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @zslot6, Like his Facebook page or add him on Google.
5. Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are enjoying success in their first year under Terry Francona. The division is up for grabs as they only trail the Detroit Tigers by 3.5 games. They could use some depth in the starting rotation to help Justin Masterson at the top.
4. Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking to make the postseason for the first time since 1992. In order to make their amazing Cinderella run a reality, they could use a few bats to pair with the number-one ERA in baseball. There have been rumors of trying to acquire Alex Rios and Alexi Ramirez from the White Sox, which could be enough to put them over the top.
3. Washington Nationals
Needless to say at 48-52, it has been a disappointing season for the Washington Nationals. Many picked them to get to the World Series but they simply cannot score any runs. A lot of the talent they have is young and cheap so there’s no need to sell off. A few bats might put them back in the wild card race before it’s too late.
2. Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles have already began the process by acquiring Francisco Rodriguez, but with three teams in the AL East within 3.5 games of each other, they could use more help. Now that they have another reliever, they could use a starter and I am sure they are hoping Cliff Lee becomes available.
1. Texas Rangers
The Rangers got their first bit of help by acquiring Matt Garza, but is it enough? They trail the A’s by 3.5 games and they trail the Orioles by 1.5 in the wild card. After making the World Series two years in a row, they lost in the Wild Card game last year and need to avoid a downward spiral. Garza helps but he is not a difference maker and they could use another arm to go with Yu Darvish and Derek Holland.
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