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Decision points: Biggest challenges facing MLB's top contenders
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Decision points: Biggest challenges facing MLB's top contenders

With the July 31 trade deadline coming up soon, it is time to assess the biggest issue for each contender and what options are out there to address them.

Manny Machado is everyone’s favorite topic to debate on the open market, but there are vital cogs available beyond Baltimore's shortstop. Who will be shipped out from Kansas City, Baltimore, Miami and Texas? Meanwhile, what side of contending or pretending will the Giants, Athletics, Pirates and Rockies decide they are on? Finally, which contenders will decide to reinforce their troops, and who will decide to go at it as-is?

There is plenty that goes into how trade season sorts itself out and the decision points that are reached along the way. With that, let’s have a look at the choices ahead for the baseball’s top teams.

Arizona Diamondbacks A year ago, the D-backs propelled their offense to another level by landing a premier bat in J.D. Martinez, who added 29 home runs in 62 games in the desert. For a second season in a row, pursuing a big-ticket rental could be the best path toward protecting their lead in the NL West.

Of the many places where Machado could land, Arizona would be a great fit. The Diamondbacks need to upgrade their offensive production up the middle, as well as protect Paul Goldschmidt some. Brian Dozier would also be an immediate fit and perhaps one that could be re-signed. Scooter Gennett, Asdrubal Cabrera and Jed Lowrie could also fit the bill here.

Atlanta Braves The Braves have proved their mettle as contenders this year, but if they are to see their breakout go as far as it potentially could, adding more experience to the starting staff should be a priority. While Mike Foltynewicz and Sean Newcomb have enjoyed breakthrough campaigns and Anibal Sanchez has been strong in a small sample size so far, Brandon McCarthy and Julio Teheran have struggled with inconsistency throughout the year.

Adding a veteran presence such as J.A. Happ, Cole Hamels or even Bartolo Colon would be a smart bridge to invest in their long-term success.

Boston Red Sox While Alex Cora’s selection of arms both in the bullpen and starting rotation could use some help, the biggest opportunity for upgrade could instead come behind the plate. Both Christian Vazquez and Sandy Leon are hitting south of .240 and producing a -0.2 offensive WAR, and with offensive concerns at both second and third base already hampering the club, GM Dave Dombrowski should look to make the biggest impact he possibly can on the trade market.

Making a move to bring J.T. Realmuto aboard would be a true power play for the Red Sox. The Miami backstop would keep play behind the plate consistent, while also adding another weapon to the everyday lineup. Over 57 games, Realmuto is hitting .308/.367/.549 with 10 home runs. With his stated desire to relocate from South Beach much sooner than later, he would likely be even further revitalized by joining a pennant chase.

Chicago Cubs Entering the year, the Chicago starting staff was an anticipated source of strength for the club. Three months into year, however, it has hamstrung the club from reaching its full potential. Yu Darvish has been on and off the DL, while being largely ineffective when available. Meanwhile, Tyler Chatwood and Jose Quintana have failed to provide a stabilizing presence at the heart of the rotation as well. While the Cubs do not need to swing another deal for an ace-caliber arm, adding some dependable depth would go a long way.

Cleveland Indians Despite being in a division with no other teams within five games of .500, the Indians have had to scratch and claw to gain a substantial lead in the AL Central. Many of these issues are due to the complete bottoming out of their bullpen. After leading the MLB with a 2.89 ERA in 2017, Cleveland's relief corps has seen its ERA balloon to 5.23, second worst in the American League.

Of Indians relievers who have made at least 15 appearances, only Neil Ramirez and Cody Allen have ERAs lower than 4.00. With Andrew Miller on disabled list for a second time, there are few signs of resolution coming soon with the pieces that are already in place.

Houston Astros Although baseball’s deepest everyday lineup and a historically significant starting staff provide a great backbone for the defending champs, the back end of the bullpen could become an anchor that sinks their repeat efforts. Despite a strong start, Ken Giles has fallen off a cliff yet again and lost his hold on the closer role, perhaps for the final time. While Hector Rondon has experience in the role and has performed well, upgrading in the final frame should still be a priority.

Although early trades with Alex Colome and Kelvin Herrera have kicked the relief market into play, there are still plenty of arms available. Zach Britton, Raisel Iglesias, Brad Hand and Kyle Barraclough could all make a massive difference in steadying the pen.

Los Angeles Angels Shohei Ohtani’s two-way approach started as a gift but has become a curse. The loss of the rookie sensation to elbow issues has not only added to the substantial injury woes within the Angels’ rotation, but has robbed the club of its most potent left-handed bat as well. In the immediate sense, finding a bat to provide an alternative punch to what Mike Trout, Justin Upton and Andrelton Simmons bring from the right side is essential.

The question is finding someone who fits the bill. K.C.’s Mike Moustakas could be had for little long-term commitment, as could the Rockies’ Carlos Gonzalez or Pittsburgh’s Corey Dickerson.

Los Angeles Dodgers It has become an annual tradition for the Dodgers' starting staff to go under siege in a style more familiar to "Dunkirk" than a Major League Baseball team. 2018 has been no exception either, as the L.A. staff has been ravished by injuries. All in all, 11 different pitchers have made starts already for the Dodgers.

Adding starting pitching has become an annual affair for the Dodgers at the deadline, and this year should be no exception. They could be a prime landing spot for a Cole Hamels or J.A. Happ type, a pitcher who has front-line experience and postseason work under his belt.

Milwaukee Brewers Back in July 2008, the Brewers made waves when they swung a blockbuster deal to bring CC Sabathia over from the Indians, a move that ultimately landed the club a spot in the postseason. Fast-forward 10 years and the Brewers find themselves again at a similar crossroads. The tight NL Central race is more prone to being shifted by a single blockbuster move than any other division. As opposed to the Cubs' and Cardinals’ current situations, the Brewers could see the greatest difference with a significant addition.

The prime candidate for this type of impact would of course be Jacob deGrom, whose availability has been rumored about over the past few weeks. If such a move does not materialize, Craig Counsell’s club could still benefit from an added workhorse arm to provide quality innings, but swinging for the fences could do wonders for Milwaukee.

New York Yankees After being left out of the Ohtani sweepstakes last winter, the Yankees opted instead to go it again with the same rotation that carried them to the ALCS a year ago. While Luis Severino has continued his ascent toward the game’s elite arms and Sabathia has remained solid, the efforts of Sonny Gray and Masahiro Tanaka have been inconsistent at best.

This leaves the Yanks in a position of need regarding another dependable arm, the likes of which they should find easily available without breaking the bank with a commitment beyond 2018. If the Rangers are willing to eat a significant piece of Hamels’ final year in 2019, he is a perfect fit for the Bronx. Likewise, Marco Estrada or Happ make sense, if the Yanks are willing to deal within the division. Otherwise, trying to tempt a longer-term fit such as Michael Fulmer from Detroit would be strong move as well.

Of course, there’s that deGrom guy who’s already in town who would fit right in.

Philadelphia Phillies The Phillies will have a tough decision on their hands about how much to commit toward making a big addition to stay in the race this year or to play it out with what is on hand. If they do decide to stick in the race, finding a two-in-one offensive upgrade that packs a solid glove should be the focus. The Phils will remain attached to Machado, but the organization seems more likely to spend money as opposed to prospects on him in the offseason. In the interim, a veteran such as Adrian Beltre would make sense for the young Phillies, as would Mike Moustakas, both of whom could move off the books this winter ahead of a Machado pursuit.

An intriguing move could be checking on Nicholas Castellanos, whom the Tigers could be compelled to part with in lieu of a few prospects that can speed along rebuilding efforts.

Seattle Mariners The loss of Robinson Cano created a domino effect to fill in for the suspended slugger. The presence of Dee Gordon in center field allowed for the club to quickly move a suitable replacement in but then created a subsequent need in center. This leaves GM Jerry Dipoto with the option of adding at either position, such as acquiring a Gennett to man second base or Andrew McCutchen, Adam Jones or Billy Hamilton to bolster the outfield.

St. Louis Cardinals The Cardinals' bullpen has been constantly in motion this year due to a mixture of injuries and inefficiency. While the recent returns of Greg Holland and Brett Cecil have helped, neither has proved dependable for long this year. An over-reliance on rookie Jordan Hicks and surprise closer Bud Norris has kept the club afloat, but a couple of additions throughout the pen could do wonders for the team.

Britton’s healthy return to the Baltimore bullpen (and expiring contract) makes him an immediately perfect fit. Landing any of the impressive trio of relievers in San Diego (Hand, Craig Stammen or Kirby Yates) would be reasonable, as would inquiring into the Tampa Bay Rays' and Oakland A’s always available stash of relievers. Considering the condition of the Cardinals’ pen, investigating multiple upgrade options should be explored.

Washington Nationals The Nats need a catcher and have for a while, ever since Wilson Ramos left town two years ago. While Realmuto would be a great fit, it does not seem like GM Mike Rizzo will swing a deal for him. While that is subject to change, the rest of the potential catcher market features Jonathan Lucroy and Francisco Cervelli as premier secondary options, with the option of reaching out regarding a reunion with Ramos a possibility too.

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