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Every MLB team's biggest need at the 2017 trade deadline
The Texas Rangers must decided whether or not to trade pending free agent Yu Darvish. Jasen Vinlove/USA TODAY Sports

Every MLB team's biggest need at the 2017 trade deadline

With the non-waiver trade deadline less than two weeks ago, MLB organizations are evaluating their needs and deciding whether to buy or sell. The following features the biggest needs for all 30 teams entering the deadline.

 
1 of 30

Arizona Diamondbacks: Closer

Arizona Diamondbacks: Closer
Matt Kartozian / USA Today Sports Images

Arizona's bullpen has been quietly strong this season, ranking sixth best in baseball with a 3.62 ERA. However, the strength hasn't included closer Fernando Rodney, who has a 5.58 ERA in 34 appearances. If the Diamondbacks want to have success in the playoffs, they must address closer.

 
2 of 30

Atlanta Braves: Young outfielders

Atlanta Braves: Young outfielders
Steve Mitchell / USA Today Sports Images

Atlanta is hovering around .500, which is major progress for the organization. However, the team is still well outside the playoff picture as it continues to rebuild. Atlanta's farm system is arguably the deepest in baseball, and top outfield prospect Ronald Acuna is already playing at Triple-A as a 19-year-old. With veterans Nick Markakis and Matt Kemp manning the outfield, the team could use another long-term outfield prospect to join Acuna.

 
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Baltimore Orioles: Starting pitching prospects

Baltimore Orioles: Starting pitching prospects
Evan Habeeb / USA Today Sports Images

Baltimore's starting rotation has been a nightmare this season, to say the least, with a 5.96 ERA. Now that the team is out of the playoff race, it would be smart to move some of the elite relief pitching assets for starters. Kevin Gausman is the only long-term piece currently at the MLB level, and the farm system isn't deep with pitching.

 
4 of 30

Boston Red Sox: Third base

Boston Red Sox: Third base
Winslow Townson / USA Today Sports Images

The third base position has been a need all year, perhaps making the team regret. Brock Holt is finally ready to return, but he's hardly an answer for a playoff team. Boston will have top prospect Rafael Devers ready soon, so a rental like Todd Frazier would be a good fit in the short term.

 
5 of 30

Chicago Cubs: Starting pitching

Chicago Cubs: Starting pitching
Evan Habeeb / USA Today Sports Images

The Cubs already acquired Jose Quintana from the White Sox, but another strong starting pitcher wouldn't hurt if the Cubs have the prospects to get one. Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta have ERAs above 4.00 this season, and Kyle Hendricks also had a tougher time before his finger injury. Despite the need, it seems unlikely the Cubs have enough firepower to make another move unless they trade one of their key major leaguers.

 
6 of 30

Chicago White Sox: Prospects

Chicago White Sox: Prospects
Stan Szeto / USA Today Sports Images

Give White Sox GM Rick Hahn credit. After trading Chris Sale, Adam Eaton and Jose Quintana over the last year, Chicago has an absolutely loaded farm system. Still, the Sox have attractive assets to move like Todd Frazier, Jose Abreu, Melky Cabrera and David Robertson. The farm system is loaded with starting pitching, so finding top hitting prospects will probably be the preference.

 
7 of 30

Cincinnati Reds: Prospects

Cincinnati Reds: Prospects
David Kohl / USA Today Sports Images

Cincinnati has a very strong farm system and has already seen flashes this season from Amir Garrett, Luis Castillo, Scott Schebler and Jose Peraza. Still, the Reds have more ground to cover with their farm system in order to catch up with the top of the division. The problem is they don't have much to move, particularly with their lack of major league pitching talent.

 
8 of 30

Cleveland Indians: Catcher

Cleveland Indians: Catcher
John E. Sokolowski / USA Today Sports Images

The catcher spot has been an ongoing issue in Cleveland for more than a year. The organization is confident that top prospect Francisco Mejia can be the long-term answer, but he's still at Double-A. At the major league level, Yan Gomes has failed to rebound with a .678 OPS. The organization has the prospect depth to make a move. 

 
9 of 30

Colorado Rockies: Middle relievers

Colorado Rockies: Middle relievers
Steve Mitchell / USA Today Sports Images

Greg Holland has been a savior for Colorado at the back end of the bullpen, and lefty Jake McGee has rebounded from a subpar 2016 season. However, other than Chris Rusin, manager Bud Black hasn't had many reliable options farther down in the pen. Adam Ottavino, Scott Oberg, Jordan Lyles and Chad Qualls all have ERAs above 5.00. The Rockies have plenty of depth elsewhere, but the bullpen clearly needs to be addressed.

 
10 of 30

Detroit Tigers: Prospects

Detroit Tigers: Prospects
Rick Osentoski / USA Today Sports Images

Detroit's farm system is in a better position than it has been in recent years with top pitching prospects Beau Burrows, Kyle Funkhouser and Matt Manning emerging, but the Tigers still need to add young hitting. Justin Verlander has been mentioned in trade rumors, and pending free agent J.D. Martinez is likely to be moved. Closer Justin Wilson is also an attractive piece.

 
11 of 30

Houston Astros: Ace starting pitcher

Houston Astros: Ace starting pitcher
Steve Mitchell / USA Today Sports Images

Dallas Keuchel showed his Cy Young form early this season before suffering a neck injury. He should be back for the stretch run along with Collin McHugh, and Lance McCullers has also shown top-end ability this season. However, the DL stints for all three of these pitchers show just how fragile Houston's status is atop the AL. Adding another arm for the playoffs could provide great insurance, especially with a potential matchup against Boston's aces.

 
12 of 30

Kansas City Royals: Shortstop and left field

Kansas City Royals: Shortstop and left field
Jay Biggerstaff / USA Today Sports Images

Despite a horrendous start to the season, K.C. finds itself in the AL Central playoff picture. That's due in large part to the starting pitching, but the team has still struggled to score runs. Sadly, Alex Gordon's contract looks like a major hindrance on the organization with his .581 OPS, and Alcides Escobar is going through a similarly horrific season. These two spots could really use addressing by GM Dayton Moore.

 
13 of 30

Los Angeles Angels: Starting pitching

Los Angeles Angels: Starting pitching
Stan Szeto / USA Today Sports Images

The return of Mike Trout helps the offense, but the Angels have used a patchwork starting rotation for nearly the entire season. They're currently without Garrett Richards, Matt Shoemaker and Tyler Skaggs, so even a 4.40 ERA for the rotation seems like a miracle. Somehow just three games out in the Wild Card, the Angels are close enough to add another pitching piece or two.

 
14 of 30

Los Angeles Dodgers: Left-handed relief pitching

Los Angeles Dodgers: Left-handed relief pitching
Gary A. Vasquez / USA Today Sports Images

What do you get for the team that has everything? The Dodgers came into the season with an incredible amount of depth, and that shows in their league-leading 64-29 record. They look awfully scary in a playoff series with three elite lefties in Clayton Kershaw, Alex Wood and Rich Hill. The bullpen also has a 2.94 ERA, second best in MLB, but has been lacking an elite lefty specialist with Grant Dayton and Luis Avilan having their share of issues. The rumors of a Zach Britton acquisition seem enticing.

 
15 of 30

Miami Marlins: Prospects

Miami Marlins: Prospects
Jasen Vinlove / USA Today Sports Images

Miami is going through a sale and has little chance of making the playoffs. The high-priced Giancarlo Stanton has been mentioned in trade rumors, but there are much cheaper pieces to sell. The bullpen features some attractive arms, including closer A.J. Ramos, and Edinson Volquez could also be moved if his knee is healthy. Elsewhere, Martin Prado is a veteran presence who would likely help a playoff team. The Marlins' farm system is barren and greatly needs an influx of talent.

 
16 of 30

Milwaukee Brewers: Starting pitching

Milwaukee Brewers: Starting pitching
Benny Sieu / USA Today Sports Images

Shockingly, the Brewers have a strong lead in the NL Central, using great power and surprising pitching. Their rotation still has some holes, especially after the loss of Chase Anderson to an oblique injury. If the Brewers make the playoffs, their lack of depth behind Jimmy Nelson could be a huge issue.

 
17 of 30

Minnesota Twins: Starting pitching

Minnesota Twins: Starting pitching
Troy Taormina / USA Today Sports Images

Minnesota has been hanging tough in the AL Central, just 1.5 games back of Cleveland. Ervin Santana has pitched like a true ace this season, and Jose Berrios has fulfilled his potential. Behind that pair, the Twins have had major problems and played musical chairs with several rotation options. Top prospect Stephen Gonsalves probably isn't quite ready to help, so adding starters will be a top priority for the Twins.

 
18 of 30

New York Mets: Prospects

New York Mets: Prospects
Butch Dill / USA Today Sports Images

New York's season probably ended when Noah Syndergaard suffered a lat injury, but Matt Harvey's poor performance certainly didn't help. More than a dozen games back of Washington, the Mets should be looking toward 2018. That will likely include the promotions of top prospects Amed Rosario and Dominic Smith, along with moving pending free agents Jay Bruce, Curtis Granderson and Lucas Duda.

 
19 of 30

New York Yankees: First base

New York Yankees: First base
Bob DeChiara / USA Today Sports Images

The focus is on starting pitching as a major need in the Bronx following the loss of Michael Pineda to an elbow injury, but top prospect Chance Adams could be a viable fill-in. The team is also hopeful that Masahiro Tanaka will continue to rebound. That leaves first base as a major need, with the Yankees trying nearly countless solutions. The newest is Garrett Cooper, a former Brewers farmhand. If he doesn't start to hit and Greg Bird is shut down for the year, an acquisition like Yonder Alonso could be possible.

 
20 of 30

Oakland Athletics: Prospects

Oakland Athletics: Prospects
Kelley L. Cox / USA Today Sports Images

Billy Beane announced a full rebound as the A's try to improve in conjunction with their ambitious stadium plans. The team already traded Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle. Elsewhere, Sonny Gray, Jed Lowrie and Yonder Alonso seem likely to be traded as the team gets a better look at its youngsters late this season.

 
21 of 30

Philadelphia Phillies: Prospects

Philadelphia Phillies: Prospects
Jasen Vinlove / USA Today Sports Images

The Phillies are the worst team in baseball, but there is reason for hope. The organization is on the cusp of promoting top prospects Rhys Hoskins, Scott Kingery and Jorge Alfaro, with several more high-upside players on the way. Of course, they still need to acquire more talent and have some interesting pieces to trade like Pat Neshek, Joaquin Benoit and Tommy Joseph.

 
22 of 30

Pittsburgh Pirates: Third base

Pittsburgh Pirates: Third base
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

Like last season, the Pirates are caught in between buying and selling. They made the most of that situation last year by acquiring current closer Felipe Rivero for former closer Mark Melancon. They could be in a similar situation with Andrew McCutchen, who could fetch a nice return. Hitting has been difficult for the team this season, particularly at third base, where former World Series hero David Freese has been overexposed while Jung Ho Kang has been stuck in Korea.

 
23 of 30

San Diego Padres: Prospects

San Diego Padres: Prospects
Jake Roth / USA Today Sports Images

San Diego is well ahead of the Giants in the NL West standings, which is a shock to just about everyone, but still far out of it. The Padres have received strong contributions from veterans like Trevor Cahill, Jhoulys Chacin and Brad Hand, but now it's probably time for them to see what they can get for those assets. The Padres need to add plenty more talent to a core of Manuel Margot, Hunter Renfroe, Wil Myers and Austin Hedges in order to compete.

 
24 of 30

San Francisco Giants: Controllable starting pitching

San Francisco Giants: Controllable starting pitching
Andrew Villa / USA Today Sports Images

The Giants have been a complete and utter disaster this season between injuries and failure of their young players to emerge at key positions. Johnny Cueto is likely to be traded if his blister issue is minor, and Jeff Samardzija has also been mentioned as a possibility. The team will almost certainly still have its core of Madison Bumgarner, Buster Posey, Brandon Belt and Brandon Crawford intact going into 2018, so there's no reason to blow things up yet. Finding more pitching behind Bumgarner will be a necessity, however, as the upper minors pitching hasn't panned out like the team hoped.

 
25 of 30

Seattle Mariners: Starting pitching

Seattle Mariners: Starting pitching
Jim Cowsert / USA Today Sports Images

The Seattle rotation has had a nightmarish year with Felix Hernandez having a long DL stint, while Drew Smyly has undergone Tommy John surgery and Hisashi Iwakuma hasn't been able to overcome shoulder issues. James Paxton, Ariel Miranda and Andrew Moore look like potential long-term solutions, but the team needs at least one more starter to compete for a Wild Card spot this season.

 
26 of 30

St. Louis Cardinals: Outfielders

St. Louis Cardinals: Outfielders
Bill Streicher / USA Today Sports Images

The Cardinals are caught in between buying and selling and would need to go on a run to have any chance of making the playoffs. Fortunately, their upper minors are strong with Luke Weaver ready to help the rotation now, and Jack Flaherty and the injured Alex Reyes probable able to help early in 2018. The outfield has been a huge disappointment, even with the emergence of Tommy Pham, as Stephen Piscotty and Randal Grichuk have struggled. The team could greatly use another impact bat.

 
27 of 30

Tampa Bay Rays: Relief pitching

Tampa Bay Rays: Relief pitching
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

Tampa Bay has uncommon depth for a small-market team and is well in line to win a Wild Card spot if it keeps up the strong recent play. The bullpen has been the Rays' biggest weakness, ranked 20th in ERA (4.40), though the recent return of Brad Boxberger will help. Fixing middle relief will remain a priority, and they might entertain improving at closer given Alex Colome's inconsistent control.

 
28 of 30

Texas Rangers: Pitching

Texas Rangers: Pitching
Denny Medley / USA Today Sports Images

It's nothing new that the Rangers have had pitching issues this season with the sixth worst bullpen in MLB and major issues in their rotation behind Yu Darvish and Cole Hamels. The question is whether they try to revamp it this year in an effort to win a Wild Card spot or trade pending free agent Darvish for younger help.

 
29 of 30

Toronto Blue Jays: Prospects

Toronto Blue Jays: Prospects
Rick Osentoski / USA Today Sports Images

Toronto got old quickly this year with down years from nearly the entire lineup and less reliable contributions from most of the rotation. Jose Bautista, J.A. Happ and Marco Estrada seem to be the most frequently mentioned trade chips. Fortunately, the organization does have a strong long-term outlook due to elite hitting prospects Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette.

 
30 of 30

Washington Nationals: Pitching

Washington Nationals: Pitching
David Kohl / USA Today Sports Images

Washington has the best offense in the NL by a wide margin, but issues with the pitching staff remain. The Nationals recently lost Joe Ross to Tommy John surgery and could use more bullpen depth even after acquiring Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle from Oakland. Competing with the Dodgers in the NL won't be easy, especially with the current glaring pitching weaknesses.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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