The Tampa Bay Rays are playing great baseball as of late and find themselves just a half-game back from the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees for first place in the American League East.

Tampa Bay’s offense has quietly been one of the best in Major League Baseball and excel at stealing bases.

The starting rotation has deviated from their opener strategy for a more traditional look, and it has okay so far.

The bullpen is solid, but adding another quality reliever could propel the Rays into October.

ESPN’s David Schoenfield came up with a player every team should trade away or trade for, and the Rays are suggested to acquire a two-time All-Star closer who is having a resurgent season.

Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar looks like he is back to his dominant ways and could be on the move at the trade deadline.

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Bednar, 30, is 2-5 with a 2.73 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP in 33 appearances this season. He has converted all 12 of his save opportunities.

“The rotation has been homer-prone — again, related to Steinbrenner Field — but the bullpen has lacked its usual depth and ranks 23rd in win probability added,” wrote Schoenfield. “Adding Bednar — the salary shouldn’t be too steep, even for the Rays — and moving Pete Fairbanks into the setup role works.”

The Pirates have been the hottest team in MLB in recent weeks, but it’s likely they will be sellers at the deadline.

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