The MLB trade deadline is just eight days away, yet many teams are still undecided about being buyers or sellers.
Since five teams in both the American and National League make the playoffs, even some teams that are hovering around .500 believe they still have a shot at playing in October.
Here are a few teams on the cusp of contention who may be in line to make a big move or two before the July 31 deadline.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies are seven games back in both the National League East and Wild Card standings, yet they look like they’ll be buyers in the next week.
General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. told Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com last Sunday that he was “going to try to improve the club somehow.”
Amaro went on to add that he doesn’t think much of the available options right now, but that the team is interested in adding another outfielder and some bullpen help.
On the bullpen front, Mark Feinsand of the NY Daily News reported that the Phillies had some interest in Joba Chamberlain of the Yankees.
When Ben Revere broke his foot on July 13, adding an outfielder became a big need for Philadelphia.
While there haven’t been any reported connections to any of the available outfielders, you can bet that Amaro is working the phones in attempting to find an outfielder to replace Revere.
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks are just a 0.5 games out of first place in the National League West, but with the Dodgers coming on strong of late, it’s looking more and more like Arizona will have to win a Wild Card spot in order to make the playoffs.
They’re aiming to improve the team in order to do just that, and have been connected to a number of players in the past few weeks.
The Diamondbacks have suffered through a number of injuries to their pitching staff and could be looking to trade for a reliable starter to pick up the slack.
Jason A. Churchill of ESPN.com speculates that the team could make a play for Bud Norris of the Houston Astros.
Buster Olney of ESPN also reports that the Diamondbacks are one of the teams that are discussing a possible move for Jake Peavy.
Cleveland Indians
The Indians have the best record of these three teams, but they still have a tough road to the playoffs in a very competitive American League playoff race this season.
They’re just 2.5 games back of the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central, and according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, have had discussions about adding starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo.
Gallardo would give the team a No. 2 starter to slot behind their ace Justin Masterson.
Heyman also mentions that the Indians are aiming high and are only looking at the best starting pitchers on the market, but they are certainly entertaining other options as well.
Don’t be surprised if you see the Indians connected to other pitchers like Peavy and Norris in the coming days.
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