MLB Trade Deadline: Which teams are buyers?

Who will be looking to buy at the 2016 MLB Trade Deadline?

While the 2016 MLB regular season is just past the halfway point, pennant races in every division are already taking shape.

The AL East is currently the only division in baseball where the current leader is up by fewer than 5.5 games. That’s a much different landscape than last season, where every division was decided by 4.5 games or fewer at the All-Star Break.

As such, most teams already have a general idea of what direction they want to take at the 2016 MLB Trade Deadline, which will take place on August 1. Clubs have generally been more hesitant to give up on a season in the era of two Wild Cards, but some rebuilding teams like the Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinnati Reds, Oakland Athletics and others have emerged as clear sellers.

A few teams have separated themselves as top Wold Series threats, and will be interested in buying pieces to push their rosters over the top. The problem is that those rebuilding teams don’t have much left to sell, as the trade market looks very weak outside of the corner outfielder position.

In particular, teams looking for starting pitching help either at the deadline or during the 2016 offseason may be out of luck. Any starter is going to come at a premium cost this summer, so we could see some unexpected pitchers get moved for huge returns.

There will be a handful of contenders like the Baltimore Orioles and Miami Marlins who will look to make small upgrades. Expect these five teams to be more aggressive while hoping to land some of the bigger names on the market.

Next: 5. Los Angeles Dodgers