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10 teams compelled to make a deal
- Updated: July 27, 2016
Every team in the Majors faces pressure to win. With Monday’s non-waiver Trade Deadline approaching, that pressure is mounting.
These are the five teams in each league under the most scrutiny to make something happen before the Deadline:
National League
1. Cubs Chicago entered Wednesday with the best record in the big leagues, as well as the biggest lead (6 1/2 games over St. Louis in the NL Central) of any of the six division leaders. The Cubs also just made the most influential trade of the season by dealing a handful of prime prospects to the Yankees for potential free-agent closer Aroldis Chapman, and they acquired lefty reliever Mike Montgomery from the Mariners on July 20. These are, after all, the Cubs, and a World Series championship drought that dates back to 1908 has created a fan base that is loyal but impatient.
2. Mets The club is coming off an appearance in the World Series, and it is enjoying bigger ratings than the Yankees in New York City, but there is not much of a honeymoon for sports franchises in The Big Apple. And the Mets’ current roster doesn’t have a lot of time left together. They have six regulars who are at least 30 years old, and concerns about third baseman David Wright, the face of the franchise who underwent neck surgery, and right-handed starter Matt Harvey, who is out for the season with thoracic outlet syndrome. A 3.30 team ERA that was tied for the best in the Majors entering Wednesday is undermined by an offense that has scored 367 runs, which is 28th in the big leagues.
3. Nationals The Nats are relatively young, as only three lineup regulars and two starting pitchers are at least 30. They have roster control, as several key players are locked up for 2017 and beyond. The expectations, however, are related to the fact that manager Matt Williams was dismissed following the ’15 season and replaced by veteran Dusty Baker, even though Washington finished in first and second place in Williams’ two seasons. Baker is a proven winner with the Giants, Cubs and Reds. The Nationals are concerned about the inconsistency of 35-year-old closer Jonathan Papelbon, which was revealed by their pursuit of the hard-throwing Chapman.
4. Dodgers A huge payroll has expectations that come with it. The fans don’t care about an arsenal of ailing arms; they are looking for wins. The infield is …
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