One waiver trade deadline deal every MLB team should make

The Toronto Blue Jays aren’t the only AL East team playing great baseball in August. A 9-5 start to the month has boosted the Tampa Bay Rays to a record of 58-56, which has shaved three games off the team’s deficit in the division. It also means the Rays are now just two games behind the Los Angeles Angels in the Wild Card race.

The team, which was a seller in July after unloading David DeJesus and Kevin Jepsen in deals with the Angels and Minnesota Twins, respectively, could now be looking to add a piece.

If the Rays are interested in trading for a player that will contribute in this year’s pennant race, they aren’t likely to add one that will add any significant money to the team’s payroll. As much as fans in Tampa Bay would love to see an offensive upgrade in the outfield, it’s just not likely they could land a big name. Even Seattle’s Seth Smith and Cincinnati’s Marlon Byrd might be too high-priced.

The best the Rays can do is probably someone along the lines of Atlanta’s Jonny Gomes, a member of the 2008 World Series team in St. Pete, that can provide some pop against left-handed pitching and provide a bigger boost in the clubhouse.

The Braves have been operating under the belief a team can never have too much pitching, so someone like Ryan Stanek could be an option. But the club also has a need at catcher, which could make Nick Ciuffo a target. Atlanta would probably need to throw in a low-level prospect of their own or perhaps a veteran reliever to get a deal done.

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