The Dumbest Potential Trade Deadline Move for Every AL Contender

The MLB trade deadline is a day away, and the best teams in the AL all seem prepared to do whatever possible in order to add that one piece that turns them into a legit World Series contender. GMs of these teams should be careful, however, as to not set their franchises back by making ill-advised moves or overpaying for a player to merely fill a short-term need. If your team's GM makes this move, you should be very skeptical about where the team is heading.

7. Tampa Bay Rays: Acquiring Edwin Diaz

Colorado Rockies v New York Mets / Adam Hunger/Getty Images

The Rays have been one of several teams that has reached out to the Mets about being given a chance to resurrect Diaz back from the dead. His ERA has jumped three full runs (1.96 to 4.95) from his days in Seattle. While he still has velocity and is striking guys out, the Rays can't assume that he'll magically become an All-Star as soon as he switches teams. Considering the prospects it will take to acquire him, Tampa is better off leaving Diaz alone.

6. Oakland Athletics: Getting Zack Wheeler

Pittsburgh Pirates v New York Mets / Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

The acquisitions of Homer Bailey and Jake Diekman shouldn't stop the A's from looking to add more arms to their rotation, with Wheeler having been a popular option of late. One problem with a Wheeler trade, however, is the fact that he's been an average -- and depending on how you look at it, below average -- pitcher this season, as his 4.71 ERA and career-worst 17 home runs allowed suggest. Brodie Van Wagenen will likely ask for a top prospect, and Wheeler just isn't worth that.

5. New York Yankees: Giving up Deivi Garcia

SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game / Jason Miller/Getty Images

The 20-year-old pitcher has flown through the minor leagues and has quickly become the jewel of the Yankees' farm system. Currently, Garcia has been vastly outperforming the rest of the Yankees' top prospects, as Estevan Florial has struggled in Tampa and Jonathan Loaisiga can't stay healthy. The Yankees have enough prospects or talented veterans (Clint Frazier) to make a move for an elite pitcher at the deadline, but giving up Garcia would be going too far.

4. Minnesota Twins: Overpaying for Noah Syndergaard

New York Mets v Miami Marlins / Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Syndergaard has struggled for the entire season, posting a 4.33 ERA and 3.65 FIP, both of which are the highest of his career. Still, the 26-year-old and his 100 MPH fastball could be on the move, and the pitching-hungry Twins could be a potential buyer. One roadblock to a Syndergaard deal is the fact that the Mets will likely ask for top prospects like Royce Lewis, Alex Kirilloff and Brusdar Graterol. A Syndergaard move would be a nice grab for the Twins, but they should really think twice if it includes one of those big names.

3. Boston Red Sox: Neglecting the Bullpen for More Power

Minnesota Twins v Chicago White Sox / Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

The Red Sox have been one of the most present names in the Jose Abreu market ever since the first rumbling that the White Sox first baseman could be dealt. While it would make their lineup stupidly overpowered, Dave Dombrowski would have once again failed up upgrade their increasingly shoddy bullpen. With a hefty price tag on Abreu, Dombrowski needs to exercise some self control and look for relievers instead of more first basemen.

2. Cleveland Indians: Trading Trevor Bauer

Cleveland Indians v Toronto Blue Jays / Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images

He might be a bit on the petulant side, but that's hardly an excuse for a team missing their ace to deal an All-Star level pitcher when they are very much in the wild card and AL Central hunt. While he would undoubtedly fetch a tremendous return as far as prospects go, the Indians would essentially be giving up on a postseason run by dealing Bauer. Him and his 3.79 ERA shouldn't be leaving northeast Ohio anytime soon.

1. Houston Astros: Trading for Matthew Boyd

Detroit Tigers v Seattle Mariners / Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images

Boyd is a solid pitcher, having put up a 3.94 ERA and 178 strikeouts against only 29 walks this season. However, the Tigers' asking price for him is absurd, as they have requested for Gleyber Torres from the Yankees and will likely demand a prospect like Kyle Tucker in exchange for the left-hander. As bad as Houston needs pitching depth, and as deep as their farm system is, trading a player with Tucker's power or giving up on Forrest Whitley's fastball would be the height of idiocy from Houston.