MLB trade deadline priorities: The biggest needs for all 30 teams

With a number of key factors already shaping this year’s trade market, I recently checked in with decision-makers from all 30 MLB front offices to see what their team’s biggest needs are right now. Of course, a lot can change between now and the Aug. 1 trade deadline, but with trade discussions already “bubbling” throughout the game, let’s take stock. Here is a rundown of what I’m hearing and my thoughts on the most important need(s) for each team at this time.

AL East

Tampa Bay Rays

Rotation depth and bullpen help

The Rays are the best team in major-league baseball. They have the best record (50-22) and second-best run differential (142). They rank second in runs scored and second in team ERA. But don’t expect their front office, led by president of baseball operations Erik Neander and general manager Peter Bendix, to rest on their laurels. As always, the Rays are in the marketplace and looking to improve their starting pitching depth and bullpen.

Baltimore Orioles

A starting pitcher and middle-relief upgrades

The Orioles are a legitimate contender in the AL East and a front-runner for one of the league’s wild-card berths. This team is for real. And yet, the organization has several top prospects knocking on the door of the majors, including outfielders Colton Cowser and Heston Kjerstad. It appears Cowser is major-league-ready, which will allow GM Mike Elias to dangle one of the Orioles’ outfielders, such as Anthony Santander or Austin Hays, in a trade to upgrade their rotation. Teams like the Mariners, Yankees, and Guardians match up well with the O’s in this type of “buyer-to-buyer” swap.

New York Yankees

An outfielder

The Yankees have been dealing with injuries to right fielder Aaron Judge and center fielder Harrison Bader, and they finally gave up on outfielder Aaron Hicks and released him. (The Orioles say, thank you very much.) That has left the Yankees with an outfield of mostly journeymen such as Billy McKinney, Willie Calhoun, Jake Bauers and Isiah Kiner-Falefa. They need to make a trade for an impact, middle-of-the-order left fielder.

Toronto Blue Jays

Get Alek Manoah back on track and add a depth bat

The Blue Jays have a solid rotation, led by Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, José Berríos and Yusei Kikuchi. However, their best starter last year, Manoah, has been a total disaster. He went 1-7 with a 6.36 ERA in 13 starts before being optioned to the Florida Complex League. Imagine if he had pitched like he did last season, when he finished third in the American League Cy Young Award voting, going 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA. Had he pitched like that to start this year, the Blue Jays would be in second place, knocking on the door of the Rays. Toronto’s biggest need right now is simply to get him back on track. In terms of a trade, another depth bat would help their push for the playoffs.

Boston Red Sox

Starting and relief pitching

It’s amazing the Red Sox have been hovering around .500, and a lot of…