Alex Bregman one of several players who could help Blue Jays rivals at deadline

2. Rays, playoff odds: 91.7%

Despite the Rays being in a great position to make the playoffs, Passan doesn’t have the Rays making any acquisitions at the deadline. Instead, he lists two pitchers as being assets for which the Rays could sell off to other playoff impending teams. He says there is a 60% chance the Rays trade reliever Pete Fairbanks and starter Zack Littell is ranked 31st on Passan’s list. These are two pitchers having good seasons with Tampa and if the Rays were to move them, it wouldn’t derail their season, but likely detract from what they are hoping to accomplish.

3. Seattle Mariners, playoff odds: 70.7%

Passan has seven players listed as potential fits with the Mariners. From a reunion with third baseman Suarez, to adding outfielder Adolis Garcia from the division rival Texas Rangers, Passan feels the Mariners will be active at the deadline and looking to add a top 50 candidate. It comes down to the Mariners needing help in the lineup and that’s why he’s also got them as fits for first basemen Josh Naylor, Ryan O’Hearn, Designated Hitter Marcell Ozuna, third basemen McMahon and Arenado, and outfielder Taylor Ward.

What’s interesting is that the Blue Jays also have a need to add one more bat to their lineup and while they could be targeting these exact same players, Passan doesn’t have the Blue Jays as fits for any of them.