MLB Trade Deadline: AL East

By Steven Cardona
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Updated: July 30, 2016

Buyers or Sellers?

Baltimore Orioles – Buyers

W-L: 58-44 (1st AL East)

Scott Strazzante / Getty Images

The Orioles have definitely been the biggest surprise in the AL East. Their offense is explosive and that’s what has really kept them at the top of this division. But in reality, Baltimore is the third best team in this division. If the O’s don’t go after some pitching at the deadline they can find themselves missing the postseason. They need to make some upgrades to the starting rotation and the same goes for the bullpen.

Boston Red Sox – Buyers

W-L: 56-45 (3rd AL East)

Jeff Roberson / AP Photo

The Red Sox are young. They’ve plenty of future long term stars in Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts; even, the veteran Red Sox legend is taking off. David Ortiz is having one of his best seasons of his career. He ranks in the top 10 in most offensive categories. Just like the O’s, the Sox need pitching. They’ve already gone out and picked up Drew Pomeranz, but their rotation still isn’t as strong as they’d like and their bullpen is also subpar.

New York Yankees– Sellers

W-L: 52-50 (4th AL East)

CBSsports.com

What a disappointing year, yet again for my beloved Yankees. I can only say it so many times… SELL, SELL, SELL. They’ve done a great job by dealing Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs for an abundance of youth. But management is holding Brian Cashman back from really doing his job, it took two days for the front office to approve of Cashman’s deal so if more is going to be done, the Yankees executives really need to trust Cashman. Andrew Miller would bring back an even higher value than Chapman did so as much as I loved the three headed monster it’s time for him to go. There’s too many veterans and not enough youth.

For more on the Yankees’ trade deadline, click here.

Tampa Bay Rays – Sellers

W-L: 40-61 (5th AL East)

Brian Blanco / Getty Images

Hit the restart button… again. Chris Archer, Matt Moore, Jake Odorizzi and the list goes on. Trade everyone. Pitching is scarce across the league and the Rays have plenty of it. Just keep hitting restart until you find the right pieces to contend.

Toronto Blue Jays – Buyers

W-L: 58-45 (2nd AL East)

Dave Kaup / Reuters

Ever since Jose Bautista got popped by Rougned Odor, I have feared the Blue Jays. The Jays play with such vengeance- the offense is relentless. But they have the same issues as the rest of the contending East, a lack of pitching depth. Get yourself a top notch reliever and a more solid starter– consistency is holding Toronto back from being the best team in this division.

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Steven Cardona currently works for the Tampa Bay Rays in their baseball operations department. Much of his past experience focused on player personnel, departmental administration, research and development. Prior to joining the Rays, Steven worked for the Miami Marlins and the New York Mets. The Naples, Florida native graduated from the University of South Florida with a bachelor’s of science in Business Management.