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MLB contenders must seize opportunities to add impact players prior to the 2013 non-waiver trade deadline. They face ultimatums as July winds down: Complete blockbuster deals to address glaring weaknesses, or risk having those weaknesses exploited down the stretch.

Five teams in particular feel the urgency to find solutions for specific needs. Of course, their challenge is fending off the other dozen or so clubs that feel postseason competition is still a possibility.

All of the veteran targets included in this article—such as Jake Peavy, Alex Rios and Ervin Santana—are ones who could realistically be moved.

We’ll spend the next few slides imagining what prospects/controllable players the league’s top teams would be willing to sacrifice in an effort to bolster their rosters now.

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The most entertaining play of the 2013 MLB All-Star Game didn’t air on your television.

With the Fox cameras turned away and radio broadcasters delving into baseball-related topics, a Citi Field security guard executed the perfect tackle on an attention-seeking fan.

As it turns out, Dylan Masone‘s stunt was premeditated and thoroughly chronicled on his Twitter account (h/t Barstool Sports).

Shortly before first pitch, this New York Yankees fan wearing a Robinson Cano No. 24 t-shirt sent this proposition to his 1,844 followers:

1000 RT’s and ill run across the field.. #ASG #CitiField

— dyl (@MasoneDylan) July 16, 2013

Some users must have accused him of bluffing, hence this confirmation that yes, 1,000 retweets equals one idiotic interruption of the Midsummer Classic:

if i get 1000 RTs id really do it

— dyl (@MasoneDylan) July 16, 2013

The “support” started pouring in fast and furious. Based on his updates, it seems like Masone wasn’t too eager to actually deliver on his guarantee:

@TravisQuattrini i hope i dont get to 1k lmao

— dyl (@MasoneDylan) July 17, 2013

lmao this is gonna be terrible

— dyl (@MasoneDylan) July 17, 2013

i hate all of you

— dyl (@MasoneDylan) July 17, 2013

blame it on social media, love you all

— dyl (@MasoneDylan) July 17, 2013

At least one level-headed user tried to talk him down from the ledge by listing the consequences, but to no avail:

@DaReal_JoeSmith not at all

— dyl (@MasoneDylan) July 16, 2013

His mom also disapproved of this decision:

Even during his final moments of legal behavior, Masone kept us updated. Here’s his approximate point of entry down the left-field foul line:

AHHH pic.twitter.com/qPEHfPYQ2I

— dyl (@MasoneDylan) July 17, 2013

Charles Curtis of NJ.com provides play-by-play coverage from there:

A fan in a Cano t-shirt dashed onto the field from the stands along the left field line and stopped after passing second base on the infield dirt. Facing a group of security personnel in maroon shirts, he put up his hands to give up. But a member of security grabbed him and slammed the Yankees die-hard to the ground anyway — he was then escorted from the premises.

Instagram user Colin Barnicle recorded the collision (h/t Barstool Sports):

Impeccable form right there from the security guard, crouching low before striking this hefty kid. This unheralded hero hoisted him into the air and slammed him down with authority.

Then, Masone was gently escorted off the playing field.

Riquette Ramsey snapped a picture of him moments later. Hard to tell whether he’s cracking up or breaking down about the whole episode.

Major League Baseball does its best to discourage this kind of silliness, but these individuals don’t care about appearing on the actual broadcast. Social media can just as easily satisfy their craving for exposure.

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Most of the 2013 MLB All-Stars were revealed on Saturday, but another phase of the selection process is just beginning. Thanks to the Final Vote, fans can choose additional players for the American and National League rosters.

These are the 10 talented candidates vying for your affection:

Quality of first-half performance, historical trends and common sense allow us to closely approximate their odds of winning. 

*All video clips courtesy of MLB.com.

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As teams have started to realize, Major League Baseball rewards the thrifty and well-researched. The following free agents and team-controlled players signed modest contracts this past winter, but they have been dramatically outperforming them in 2013.

This list includes several unheralded veterans who were available, including James Loney and Marlon Byrd, as well as long-term building blocks like Allen Craig and Chris Sale.

Just as you would expect, the front offices who complete more team-friendly deals and spend wisely elsewhere generally find themselves in contention.

*Contract information from Baseball Prospectus.

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The New York Mets pulled a game closer to the rival Philadelphia Phillies with a 4-3 win on Friday night, but umpire Adrian Johnson didn’t make it easy for them.

Newly acquired Eric Young Jr. was on the bases during the top of the ninth inning, looking to give the Mets some breathing room. Johnson called him safe when attempting to advance on a Daniel Murphy grounder, only to change his mind moments later.

Twitter was none too happy about his indecisiveness:

Adrian Johnson needs to be fired. #mets @MLB

— bob dubenezic (@dubenezic) June 22, 2013

How is Adrian Johnson a MLB umpire?!! #mets

— jmsnyc19 (@jmsnyc19) June 22, 2013

If you’re an umpire, I shouldn’t know your name. I know your name Adrian Johnson. #Mets

— Michael Borkowski (@MBorkowski) June 22, 2013

Adrian Johnson needs remediation. Send him to the minors. #mets

— Terynce B (@TerynceB) June 22, 2013

Why were Mets fans so harsh? Because this wasn’t the first time Johnson had hurt their chances of winning a close contest.

Go back to the sixth inning of a May 28 matchup with the New York Yankees. About 1:14 into this MLB.com recap, we see Ruben Tejada sliding back into second base safely befo—

Wait…huh? Johnson pulls in his outstretched arms to punch out Tejada on the pickoff attempt. He made the call, then instantly reversed it. Manager Terry Collins argued to no avail, wrote Mark Hale of the New York Post.

Hale discussed the incident with Johnson, who actually gave a satisfactory explanation:

As I turned on the pickoff, I saw him go for the bag. First thing I saw, I saw him reach and make contact.

I thought it was the bag and I realized it was the foot of Brignac and his other arm hadn’t touched. That’s where the initial safe call [came from] and then I saw that he had not touched and I called him out.

It’s somewhat ironic that the Mets have any bitterness toward him. Justin Tasch of the New York Daily News points out that if it wasn’t for Johnson, the franchise would still be waiting for its first no-hitter. He was working third base on June 2, 2012, preserving Johan Santana’s glorious outing even when a Carlos Beltran line drive kicked up chalk.

Between this guy, Angel Hernandez and C.B. Bucknor, umpires receive more attention than many of baseball’s fascinating players. That’s not a good sign.

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MLB umpire Angel Hernandez has committed several notorious errors this season. On Friday night, Buck Showalter became the latest manager to express his displeasure with him.

The 57-year-old skipper yelled and gestured his way to an ejection in the top of the second inning.

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis clearly whiffed on an R.A. Dickey knuckleball, but Hernandez was the only one at Rogers Centre who didn’t know it. He initially called it a foul ball, despite glaring evidence to the contrary.

Noticing that catcher Josh Thole couldn’t get his glove on the third strike, Davis began sprinting down the baseline. He knew that there was no contact and understood that in such a scenario, a batter can reach first base by getting there before the throw does. Thole was under the same impression, so he hustled after the ball to record the out.

However, when Dickey’s offering struck Hernandez in the leg, the polarizing umpire concluded that the bat affected its path. In reality, it simply deflected off Thole’s mitt.

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons raced onto the field first and convinced Hernandez to consult with his competent peers. It took them all of 30 seconds to overturn the missed call.

That’s when Showalter snapped. 

Who can blame him? An official standing mere inches from the play ruled in his favor, only to defer to crew members positioned many yards away.

At least Hernandez was bailed out this time. 

Take this opportunity to relive this botched safe/out call that denied the Chicago White Sox a game-winning fielder’s choice on May 24. Or how about on May 8, when he didn’t reward Adam Rosales a ninth-inning home run, even though the replay was definitive?

Stay tuned throughout 2013 for more horrible Hernandez calls and the animated reactions from whoever falls victim to his poor judgment.

*All video links courtesy of MLB.com.

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When New York Yankees star Robinson Cano ditched agent Scott Boras for Jay-Z several months ago, there was understandable optimism that he would consent to a long-term contract extension.

Not so fast, reports Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. Cano and the Yankees are “nowhere near a deal” as his free agency looms, which means manager Brian Cashman needs to prepare for the worst.

Despite the All-Star’s Alex Rodriguez-esque expectations (approx. 10 years, $275 million), there ought to be widespread interest around the league. The Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers were big spenders last winter, and both would be greatly improved with Cano manning second base.

Throughout MLB history, there has seldom been a player at the position who flaunts 30-homer power, a dynamic throwing arm and elite durability.

Conveniently, New York has several big-name players coming off the books following the World Series. Those impending departures, however, will expose other weaknesses up and down the Yankees roster. Ownership is adamant about getting under the $189 million luxury tax threshold for 2014, anyway.

Hey, maybe it’s for the best that their perennial MVP candidate finds a new home. The St. Louis Cardinals, for example, haven’t skipped a beat in the post-Albert Pujols era.

With that said, cutting ties with Cano could derail the Yankees if they don’t have a reasonable plan in place.

So let’s give them one!

Sign Brendan Ryan to multi-year deal

In a league that overrates power-hitting and often ignores glove work, Ryan should come cheap ($2-3 million per year). The Yankees can grab him for an even lower annual rate by guaranteeing the contract through 2015 or 2016.

They better overwhelm him in November and make it hard to say no.

Since 2010, the defensive whiz owns a brutal .219/.286/.294 batting line, but relocating from Safeco Field to Yankee Stadium will help. Just look at what it did for Ichiro Suzuki in 2012, per Baseball-Reference.com.

Ryan has no equal among MLB middle infielders. The stats confirm that:

So do the highlights, courtesy of MLB.com:

All in all, we’re talking about an above-average player who can compensate for Derek Jeter’s diminishing range. Ryan would be an acceptable double-play partner…if the Yankees whiff on their ideal Cano replacement.

Trade for Ian Kinsler

The Texas Rangers, of course, have already inked him to a big contract. Kinsler is guaranteed $57 million for the 2014-2017 seasons with a $12 million club option for 2018 ($5 million buyout).

That’s barely half—at most, two-thirds—of what Cano will cost for those same years, even though in terms of quality, he and Kinsler are near equals. According to Baseball-Reference.com, their WAR averages from 2007-2012 were 5.6 and 4.6, respectively.

For the right package, the Rangers would definitely listen. Their enviable surplus of middle infielders is going to become financially burdensome unless Kinsler or Elvis Andrus is dealt. Moreover, Texas has Jurickson Profar waiting for an everyday opportunity, thus heightening the sense of urgency to a trade.

Even so, this would be a drawn-out courtship. With numerous other teams interested, the Rangers might keep their trio intact until spring training, just to make everybody sweat.

Ultimately, by providing full salary relief, top prospect Gary Sanchez, one of their Double-A outfielders and a developing pitcher, the Yankees should have no problem obtaining their target. 

In that event, Ryan would be a reserve, and that’s nothing for New York to complain about.

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Just like many fans and analysts anticipated, the 2013 Chicago Cubs are struggling to stay relevant. If they have indeed decided to start shopping veteran players, as ESPN Insider Buster Olney reports, we must wonder which potential contenders will pursue their expendable talent.

The Cubs entered June 21 at 29-42, tied with the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central cellar, 17 games out of first place. Surprisingly effective free-agent pickups, including Scott Feldman, Kevin Gregg and Nate Schierholtz, are the primary reasons why the team isn’t even further back.

On the other hand, expensive hold-overs from the 2012 roster have been disappointing. When peddling Matt Garza and Alfonso Soriano, president Theo Epstein will almost certainly need take responsibility for some of their remaining salaries.

Because the Cubs are amid the rebuilding process, their chief priority will be acquiring prospects with the potential to lead them to excellence later this decade.

Therefore, the most likely suitors for these five individuals include franchises with strong farm systems, but also those desperate to win immediately.

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Cleveland Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera was in obvious pain after grounding out on Monday night. Jordan Bastian confirms that he’ll be sidelined at least 15 days with a strained right quad:

As expected, Indians place SS Asdrubal Cabrera (right quad) on 15-day DL; recall AAA SS Juan Diaz. More on MLB.com soon.

— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) June 4, 2013

The Tribe fell to 30-27 following a 7-4 loss, but they’re still comfortably sitting in second place in the AL Central.

So can Cleveland tread water without its Venezuelan All-Star and stay above .500 and within sight of the Detroit Tigers?

The answer depends on how much time Cabrera misses.

That’s tricky to calculate because the severity of quad strains can vary. Mike Morse, for example, went down with the same thing on May 28. The Seattle Mariners have yet to make a roster move because they consider him day-to-day.

But this certainly won’t require surgery. Barring any setbacks, the Indians can expect him back in uniform by the end of the month.

In the meantime, there won’t be much of a drop-off at the shortstop position. Mike Aviles slides into the starting role. Though less flashy with the glove, he’s statistically superior to Cabrera in terms of UZR and Defensive Runs Saved, and it’s not particularly close.

Cabrera’s career at shortstop (4,798.0 innings): -4 DRS, -31.8 UZR.

Aviles‘ career at shortstop (2,406.1 innings): 27 DRS, 16.1 UZR.

*Career totals accurate entering Tuesday’s game, provided by Baseball-Reference.com and FanGraphs.

The Indians will lose a tiny bit of power as the torch passes.

Cabrera owns a 116 OPS+ since 2011, whereas Aviles is only at 83 OPS+ in that span. Juan Diaz—who’s taking Cabrera’s spot on the active roster—produces much less than either of these guys. As of June 4, he has only five games of major league experience.

Pat McManamon of Fox Sports Ohio writes that Aviles has the right mindset to handle this sudden promotion.

The free-agent signings of Mark Reynolds and Nick Swisher resulted in dramatic offensive improvement. The latter has been particularly consistent at the plate over the course of his career. Aside from Ryan Raburn (.293/.364/.525 in 110 PA), there isn’t any hitter on the Indians destined to regress.

Terry Francona’s pitching staff has struggled in 2013.

It ranks 24th in the majors in both ERA and FIP. Don’t expect significant variance in those areas. Cleveland is very much in the middle of the pack when it comes to luck-related measures like BABIP and strand rate.

The shoulder injury to closer Chris Perez comprises the bullpen depth. That said, Vinnie Pestano has the potential to be even better in the ninth inning.

Once the Indians complete their current series with the New York Yankees, their grueling road trip continues to Motown (June 7-9), followed by a series with the Texas Rangers (June 10-12). They would be fortunate to split those six contests.

The remainder of June, however, ought to be much more tolerable:

That matchup with the White Sox includes a doubleheader. Therefore, from June 4—the first day of the Cabrera-less era—through month’s end, Cleveland plays 25 games in 27 days. Fatigue will set in, particularly as temperatures rise.

The Tribe is just as likely to reel off a lengthy winning streak as they are to nosedive, but don’t count on either of those scenarios playing out. Provided that Cabrera returns to full strength prior to the All-Star break, his team should still be second best in the division and relevant in the AL Wild Card race.

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New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner and general manager Brian Cashman were refreshingly candid when commenting on Alex Rodriguez‘s tenure with the team (via Wallace Matthews, ESPNNewYork.com).

Steinbrenner was then asked if the Yankees had been disappointed in Rodriguez, who over the past two seasons has averaged 17 home runs and 60 RBIs while posting a .275 batting average.

“There have no doubt been times that we’ve been disappointed in him and we’ve conveyed that to him,” Steinbrenner said. “He understands that. Look, everybody is human. Everybody makes mistakes. If you’ve got a guy over the course of 10 years, there are going to be times any of us makes mistakes in that period of time.”

The veteran GM made his original statements to Peter Botte of the New York Daily News:

“Hopefully he can return to being at the very least an above-average player at (third base) because that’s what he’s been for the last few years,” Cashman said. “Once his injuries came into play with him, they may have taken away his ability to be a superstar. But he’s still an above-average player at that position and hopefully that’s what we’re going to get.”

“It’s an enormous contract and I think that, I would say probably, he couldn’t live up to it. But he’s doing everything he can to try to do so.”

That sets up a potentially-awkward situation once the third baseman recovers from offseason hip surgery. As of May 20, A-Rod was reporting to a minor league complex in Tampa, fielding grounders and taking swings in the batting cage (h/t SI.com). And even if setbacks prevent him from returning to the active roster in 2013, there’s still another four long years and $86 million guaranteed on his decade-long contract.

What sort of circumstances would lead Yankees executives and fans to actually welcome the faded and disgraced superstar back into pinstripes?

Stating the obvious, Rodriguez is not a likable individual. The Twitter hate is especially prevalent right now because he isn’t physically able to drown it out with on-field production.

Here’s Yankees fan Paige DeGeorge:

I love to hate ARod it’s an interesting relationship like I just laugh at him don’t even bother getting mad anymore

— Paige DeGeorge(@PhilRudd_) June 3, 2013

Nicholas Bucciero makes a broader statement about the entire fanbase:

These Yankee fans are programmed to love Jeter, know Pettitte, just start to like Mo, and hate Alex Rodriguez.

— Nicholas Bucciero (@Bad_Bruce) May 29, 2013

But “The Rebel Princess” doesn’t want us dismissing how his 1.308 OPS in the 2009 postseason helped New York to a World Series title: 

not all of us yankees fans are AROD haters. I for one am not & if you are a TRUE #yankee fan, you cant hate after what he did for us in 2009

— The Rebel Princess (@rebelprincessny) October 12, 2012

The 37-year-old certainly hasn’t gained any admirers in recent months. Remember that in April, several months after being linked to the Biogenesis anti-aging clinic/PED supplier, the New York Daily News learned that he bought documents to protect himself while Major League Baseball investigates.

Those people who never condone juicing will only take a stronger anti-A-Rod stance if he’s caught a second time. Despite the gaudy career numbers, he’ll be excluded from the Hall of Fame and emphatically booed on the road.

Speaking of numbers, let’s analyze his to see what the Yankees can expect on the field.

A-Rod’s OPS has steadily declined from an AL-leading 1.067 mark in 2007 to a pedestrian .783 last summer. Without enough bat speed to make frequent contact or the agility to leg out many extra-base hits, he’ll be much closer to the latter number from here on out. The 2012 season was the first time he suffered from dramatic platoon splits, so it’s a bit premature to demand that he sit against right-handers. With the glove, Rodriguez is relatively sure-handed, albeit lacking range (via FanGraphs).

Sounds a lot like Kevin Youkilis, right? Rookie David Adams has regressed from a sizzling start, while Eduardo Nunez is injured and seen as an undesirable option because of his tendency to botch routine plays. In summary, the Yankees third-base job is very much up for grabs.

This franchise has an unquenchable thirst for winning, and Rodriguez’s return to full strength could be imperative to clinching a playoff berth. Reverting to 2011 form (.276/.362/.461, .905 OPS with RISP) would qualify him to hit directly behind Robinson Cano. He provided 3.8 WAR in 99 games with those stats, according to Baseball-Reference.com; halving that suggests he could account for two wins if healthy and utilized for most of the season’s second half.

Sure, it’s improbable. As soon as the league finds cold, hard proof of post-2003 substance abuse, it will hit him with a suspension. Given the latest report from ESPN’s Outside the Lines, such an action could be made official “within the next few weeks.”.

Regardless, neither an on-field resurgence nor any number of clutch playoff hits would compensate for doping while under contract with the Bombers.

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