One trade-deadline prediction for each AL East team

The American League East will be one of the more intriguing divisions to monitor as Tuesday's trade deadline closes in.

The division-leading Baltimore Orioles have the prospect capital to make the biggest splash of any team in the majors, but it remains to be seen whether they go all-in for 2024. Meanwhile, the fading New York Yankees must make a flurry of moves to save their season from collapsing.

The Boston Red Sox have played their way into being buyers as well, but it wouldn't be surprising if they parted ways with an impending free agent or two. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays could sell off several pieces of their rosters.

Here is one prediction for what each AL East team will do at the trade deadline. (All statistics and records are through Tuesday’s games.)

Baltimore Orioles (60-40)

Prediction: Acquire Marlins LHP Tanner Scott

We've already predicted the Orioles will start unloading the farm at the deadline and acquire Tigers ace Tarik Skubal to solidify themselves as the top World Series contender in the American League. However, more reinforcements are needed for Baltimore to win its first title since 1983, particularly in the back end of the bullpen.

Although closer Craig Kimbrel (2.72 ERA and 23 saves) is still effective, the 36-year-old has struggled with consistency, having already blown five saves, the third most in MLB. Kimbrel hasn't been bad enough to warrant pulling him from his role entirely, but the Orioles could benefit from going to a closer-by-committee approach. Reuniting with Scott could be the best course of action toward doing so.

Scott , who had a 4.73 ERA in parts of five seasons in Baltimore, has transformed into one of the top left-handed relievers in baseball since his trade to the Marlins in 2022. After posting a 2.31 ERA last season, Scott has been even better in 2024, posting a 1.24 ERA with 17 saves, helping him secure his first career All-Star selection. Scott will likely be the most expensive left-handed reliever to acquire on the trade market, but Baltimore can't afford to make a half-hearted attempt at the deadline.

Boston Red Sox (54-46)

Prediction: Acquire Cubs RHP Jameson Taillon

Boston wasn't expected to be much of a threat this season, yet the emergence of first-time All-Stars Jarren Duran and Tanner Houck has helped propel the team into playoff contention. The Red Sox have seemingly operated like a small-market team over the past few seasons, but they'll surely be buyers at the deadline.

Despite having the sixth-best rotation ERA in the majors ( 3.65 ), Boston would benefit from adding a fifth starter, and the Cubs, who've asserted themselves as sellers, could be the perfect trade partner. Per Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Boston has already discussed a potential Taillon trade with the Cubs. It's also worth noting that there is a connection between Taillon and Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, as the former Cubs executive helped recruit the right-hander to Chicago.

Taillon might not seem like a needle-moving addition, but he's a reliable veteran who would be a worthwhile pickup. In 17 starts, the 32-year-old has a 2.96 ERA — that's on pace for the best mark of his career — and a 1.146 WHIP and 78 strikeouts.

New York Yankees (60-43)

Prediction: Add needed depth, but fail to make a difference-making splash

No team is facing more pressure entering the trade deadline than the Yankees. GM Brian Cashman's inability to create a well-rounded roster with a $307.6M payroll has caused New York, which went 50-22 to start the season, to crumble over the last month and a half. Because of injuries, poor performances and inadequate depth, the Yankees find themselves needing a third baseman, a second baseman, another outfielder and several bullpen arms.

Unfortunately for New York, the team doesn't have many realistic targets to choose from to address those needs. The Yankees could make a splash by trading outfielders Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones, the team's top prospects who "aren't entirely off the table," per ESPN's Jeff Passan . Nonetheless, it's probably not worth trading them to bolster a team with these many holes, even though it's a World Series-or-bust type of season.

Instead, expect the Yankees to shore up their roster with multiple acquisitions to improve their depth. Striking a deal with the Angels for RHP Carlos Estevez (2.45 ERA) and infielder Luis Rengifo (.314 batting average) must be at the top of Cashman's trade-deadline to-do list.

Tampa Bay Rays (51-50)

Prediction: Sell, but hang on to stars Randy Arozarena and Isaac Paredes

After trading RHP Aaron Civale earlier this month, it appeared the Rays were headed for a full-blown fire sale. Tampa Bay has no shortage of desirable trade candidates and will likely do its due diligence and listen to offers on each of them. However, with the Rays still having a 20.5% chance to reach the postseason, according to FanGraphs , it's more likely that they'll be soft sellers, barring another team massively overpaying for Arozarena or Paredes.

If Tampa Bay is willing to move on players who are under team control for several seasons, it should aim to capitalize on RHP Pete Fairbanks' value. Fairbanks, who is under contract through at least next season , is one of the better relievers in baseball when healthy and would be in high demand if Tampa Bay makes him available. Over his past 28 outings since returning from the injured list with a nerve-related hand issue in mid-May, Fairbanks has posted a 1.88 ERA with 23 strikeouts and 16 saves.

In addition to trading Fairbanks, the Rays should field offers on Garrett Cleavinger (3.38 ERA), especially because there won't be many quality left-handed relievers on the market. Don't rule out either RHP Zach Eflin or RHP Zack Littell being dealt either.

Toronto Blue Jays (45-55)

Prediction: Trade RHP Yimi Garcia and LHP Yusei Kikuchi

Considering Toronto's current core has yet to win a playoff game in three trips to the postseason, it'd be wise to consider tearing down the roster. But that doesn't seem to be in the cards, as the Blue Jays aren't shopping 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr., SS Bo Bichette or right-handers Jose Berríos, Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt, according to Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith .

If Toronto believes it can contend in 2025, the team should start adding talent at Tuesday's trade deadline. A possible solution would be to part ways with impending free agents Kikuchi and Garcia, both of whom should draw plenty of interest.

While Kikuchi's 4.54 ERA isn't exactly encouraging for potential buyers, the veteran left-hander won't cost much and can serve as a serviceable back-end starter for teams needing rotation help. Garcia, however, is a trade chip who can net Toronto a solid return. He has a 2.48 ERA and 0.759 WHIP with 40 strikeouts in 29 innings.