Three AL teams that must be buyers at the trade deadline

Having a chance to reach the postseason, for most teams, doesn't come along every year. But, making the decision to add pieces mid-season is not always an easy one to make. Does the reward outweigh the risk? For a few teams in 2024, the answer is a resounding "Yes."

Here are the three AL teams that need to be buyers before the trade deadline on July 30 at 6 p.m. ET. 

We're focusing on teams on the fringe of the playoff picture here, not first-place teams like Seattle which will obviously be looking to buy.

(Records and statistics are through Wednesday afternoon games.)

1) Texas Rangers | 37-43, six games back of final wild-card spot

The defending World Series champs have been beaten to a pulp by injuries. At the time of this writing OF Evan Carter (lower back soreness), RHP Jacob deGrom (Tommy John surgery), 3B Josh Jung (wrist fracture), RHP Tyler Mahle (Tommy John surgery), LHP Cody Bradford (rib stress fracture) and RHP Josh Sborz (rotator cuff strain) were all in the Injured List and RHP Max Scherzer (three-time Cy Young Award winner) had just made his first start of the season. So, why should the Rangers be buyers at the deadline?

Because just about all of those guys are scheduled to return by the end of July, meaning this is a sleeping giant that's about to wake up. Making a few moves to bolster the roster, especially in the bullpen, will lead to a very deep, very dangerous club when everyone is healthy. If Texas doesn't Hold 'Em they could shoot to #1 in a hurry.

2) Kansas City Royals | 44-38, tied for final wild-card spot

The Royals only won 56 games a year ago. They might surpass that by the time the trade deadline arrives this year, a truly remarkable turnaround. Kansas City is in the unique position of being young and talented and probably playing over its heads a bit, but unlike other overachievers, this one feels sustainable. SS Bobby Witt Jr. (.898 OPS as a 24-year-old) is a revelation, the kind of massive talent the Royals have been trying to build around.

With the surprise success, they should accelerate the construction project in 2024. A few bullpen pieces and a lefty bat with some thump would take the Royals from a feel-good story to a team that could make some serious noise in the playoffs this year and beyond.

3) Houston Astros | 40-40, three games back of final wild-card spot

Well, well, well. We meet again. The Astros were abysmal for the first couple of months, RHP Justin Verlander (neck soreness) has missed multiple starts, and suddenly all the vultures started circling. Would they finally have to trade off some of their pieces and start a bit of a rebuild? No. No, they wouldn't.

In fact, quite the contrary. What they'd do is win seven straight games while OF Kyle Tucker (bone contusion) is out with an injury and remind everyone that this team is a long way from being tossed in a trash can. If they can add a starting pitcher and another bat Houston will be rolling to the playoffs again, and with their wealth of postseason experience this is a team nobody will want to deal with.