MLB Trade Deadline: Which Teams Can Boost Their World Series Chances the Most?

• The MLB Trade Deadline is upon us, with a frenzy of deals expected
• As many as half the teams in the league can justify being aggressive in trying to improve and win the World Series
• The current World Series odds can change dramatically after the deadline
• There is inherent value in making the World Series pick now based on what teams might do to pursue a championship

Teams That Will Boost Their World Series Chances

When weighing which teams provide good value for a World Series pick before the MLB Trade Deadline, there are several factors to consider. They include:

• How well they have played so far
• How aggressive their GMs and owners are
• If they can acquire the available players to push them over the top

Los Angeles Dodgers

Based on those criteria, the Dodgers rise to the top. They have Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman. Will Smith is having a career year. But the defending World Series champs have holes.

They are currently short on pitching, both in the starting rotation and bullpen. Blake Snell, Roki Sasaki, Tanner Scott, Michael Kopech, Evan Phillips, and Tony Gonsolin are all on the injured list.

Offensively, Michael Conforto has been terrible. Mookie Betts has been underwhelming.

Expect the Dodgers to bolster their rotation and bullpen, and to acquire at least one bat.

Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays have underachieved for so long and have been an undeniable disappointment since Mark Shapiro took over as President and CEO in 2015. They need to be as aggressive as possible at the MLB Trade Deadline. It didn’t help his case that he forced Alex Anthopoulos out, and Anthopoulos went to Atlanta and won a World Series, something Shapiro has never done in Toronto or Cleveland.

With the Yankees reeling and Aaron Judge injured, the Red Sox inconsistent, and the Rays teetering on selling, the Blue Jays need to strike now. They have already made one move, acquiring Seranthony Dominguez from the Orioles, and are clearly not done.

David Bednar would be perfect for their bullpen. They will also get a bat. Their starting pitching has been good, but they might also consider some depth with an Adrian Houser-type veteran swingman.

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs have been mediocre-to-bad for seven years. Now the National League is relatively open, and an unexpected team could break through to win the World Series. President of Baseball Ops Jed Hoyer needs to finally break out of Theo Epstein’s shadow and win something on his own.

They have been fading recently, and the streaking Brewers knocked them out of first place. Chicago’s offense is good enough to make a postseason run, though they could use a bench bat.

On the mound, they need starting pitching and bullpen help. Zac Gallen has not pitched well lately, but a pennant race and pending free agency could wake him up. Expect them to try and get a legitimate closer like Jhoan Duran.

The MLB Trade Deadline Can Mean Big Changes to the Odds

A team that wasn’t a serious World Series contender before the MLB Trade Deadline can suddenly vault to the top. Jumping on their odds now can provide major value.

So which teams do you think will make a dramatic improvement by the deadline?

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