The playoff picture in MLB is heating up and many teams made some moves before the deadline, which is three days away. I will look at the playoff contenders that made the moves and some that should make moves.
New York Yankees
Making trades for J.A,Happ and Zach Britton helps the rotation and bullpen for the Yankees. The Yankees already have a deadly bullpen with Dellin Betances and Aroldis Chapman. Adding Britton makes that bullpen lethal. Happ is a lefty arm the Yankees need in the stretch run.
Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox hold the best record in all of baseball. Mookie Betts is the front runner for MVP. Chris Sale is the front runner for the Cy Young. Putting Nathan Eovaldi in that rotation helps the Sox, especially during playoff time.
Cleveland Indians
The Indians have two players who are the foundation: Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez. Adding Brad Hand helps the bullpen was a need. If they can add another bat in that lineup, the Indians could be a scary team.
Houston Astros
The champs have a problem. Its called the closer role. Ken Giles failed in that role and was optioned to AAA. Ryan Pressly is a good pickup in short relief and Maldonaldo is a solid pickup as catcher. Do the Astros have enough to go back to back?
Seattle Mariners
The Mariners have been an odyssey this season. Without Robbie Cano most of the season, the Mariners could go all in and trade for a marquee player like Jacob deGrom to help the rotation.
Oakland Athletics
Look who just crashed the party! Those moneyballers known as the Oakland A's. Will they be buyers or sellers during the trade deadline? Only Billy Beane knows.
Philadelphia Phillies
Getting Asdrubal Cabrera in a trade helps the Phillies' chances. The Phillies look like a team that can go and make the trade that can put them over the top.
Atlanta Braves
The Braves have surprised everyone in baseball. They should make a couple of minor trades, because their talent pool in the minor leagues is lax, due to the scandal during the offseason.
Milwaukee Brewers
The Mike Moustakas trade was huge for the Brewers. I look for them to make another huge trade for them to overtake the Cubs in the NL Central.
Chicago Cubs
Remember when I said the Cubs needed to make a deal to put them over the top? The Cole Hamels trade might have done that. But the Cubs need another bat in that lineup.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Manny Machado trade was huge and people think this will put the Dodgers over the top. As Lee Corso would say, Not so fast, my friend. If they add a lively arm in the rotation, they are set.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Eduardo Escobar helps the run production in Arizona. The starting rotation is solid. The bullpen is solid. But what is missing in group of overachievers?