RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 4 sourcesThe MLB trade deadline is about a week away, and several playoff contenders are in dire need of an extra kick to push them into World Series contention.
Whether it's a great starting pitcher, a platoon role hitter, or just some depth in the bullpen, there is a myriad of players available across the league who could help bolster your favorite team's roster.
While superstars like Tarik Skubal, Byron Buxton and Mason Miller will certainly steal the headlines if they swap teams, it's the smaller, more subtle moves that could shape the upcoming MLB postseason above all else. Here is one player every team in playoff position should target as the trade deadline approaches.
MLB trade deadline targets for each playoff team
AL East
Tampa Bay Rays : LHP Tarik Skubal
Now I know what you're thinking, "The Rays? Going after the biggest player available? Never in a million years." Well, I guess 2026 might be that one in one million. The Rays have made efforts in recent years to acquire big name players in both free agency and at recent deadlines.
In 2023, during the final year of Shohei Ohtani's contract with the Angels, the Rays reportedly offered Junior Caminero and another top prospect Carson Williams for Ohtani's services. The team also went after Freddie Freeman and Aaron Judge during free agency this decade as well.
Not only would acquiring Skubal show the world that even a small market team like the Rays can make a push for a World Series, but it would give the Rays a postseason rotation that could compete with the best of the best, featuring a two-time Cy Young winner, two more All-Stars in Drew Rasmussen and Nick Martinez and Shane McClanahan.
New York Yankees : C Ryan Jeffers
The Yankees have collected -0.6 bWAR from their catchers this season. That ranks 21st in MLB per Baseball Reference . Jeffers would give the Yankees an immediate upgrade at their most troublesome position, and with Cody Bellinger moving to the IL, the team will need some offense if they want to catch up to the Rays and earn themselves a shot at an AL East title.
Jeffers' 158 OPS+ is far above what any other catching option on the trade block might be able to offer. While he certainly would be a downgrade from Wells in terms of catcher framing, Jeffers has still ranked as an above average catcher when it comes to framing, ranking 26th among all catchers in the league this year. There really isn't a downside to this trade aside from the prospects that the Yankees would need to give up. But the Yankees do have a myriad of prospects.
Boston Red Sox : SS Zach Neto
The Red Sox made a smart move in acquiring Curtis Mead already. The team needed pop and Mead now ranks second on the team in home runs. However, they could use even more in their lineup. Neto provides solid pop from a non-power position but also gives the team a massive offensive upgrade overall at the position.
With Trevor Story on the 60-day IL, and boasting a lackluster .547 OPS when healthy, Neto is exactly the type of bat that Boston could just plop near the top of their lineup to give everyone else a solid boost.
AL Central
Chicago White Sox : RHP Sandy Alcantara
The White Sox are in an interesting position. They aren't considered an elite ball club just yet but are probably only a few years away, so they likely don't want to trade away any of their top prospects. If they are dead set on acquiring a game-changer though, former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara would be a massive get.
While Alcantara won't help a ton in the ERA department, he would help massively with innings. Currently, the White Sox have just two pitcher with over 100 innings pitched on their roster. Alcantara leads baseball in that category. The White Sox bullpen ranks ninth in ERA this season, so anyone who can give them innings and keep them fresh for the postseason would be a great addition to the club.
Cleveland Guardians : OF Jo Adell
The Guardians might not be very many games over .500 but they are expected to buy at this year's deadline. That said, they aren't a team known for committing to massive players and selling prospects.
Jo Adell is someone who won't cost the team an arm and a leg, but he also fills one of the team's biggest needs: someone who can mash southpaws.
On the season, Adell boasts just a 92 wRC+, but against lefties, it shoots up to 164, making him absolutely dangerous in that situation. The Guardians rank 28th in baseball in team OPS against lefties (.651), so adding Adell would certainly fill the lineup out and give them a solid platoon option down the stretch.
AL West
Texas Rangers : RHP Luke Weaver
A premier relief arm, Weaver would instantly bolster the Rangers' lackluster bullpen. Currently, the team ranks 19th in bullpen ERA, which isn't terrible, but down the stretch, getting depth in the back end of games is of the utmost importance, especially considering the Rangers' lack rotational depth as well.
The team could certainly go for a back-end starting option like Brady Singer or Seth Lugo, but Weaver is someone that could seriously make a difference in one of Texas' weakest areas. They could also add back-end bullpen arms like Brooks Raley and Kenley Jansen as well as none of them would cost too much in prospects.
Seattle Mariners : UTIL Casey Schmitt
Much like Cleveland, the Mariners have struggled against left-handed pitching this season, and while Schmitt is certainly a volatile hitter, who struggles to get walks, he mashes lefties. Seattle ranks dead last in team OPS vs. lefties (.640).
Furthermore, Schmitt's defensive versatility would be a massive help to the team. Seattle ranks 24th in WAR by third baseman (-0.8) and 23rd in WAR from right fielders (-1.2). Adding Scmitt could fix either of those problems based on anyone else Seattle might want to go after in free agency.
Houston Astros : LHP Robbie Ray
Though the Astros are currentl...
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