What happened: With the MLB trade deadline approaching, contenders across both leagues are weighing where their rosters fall short. The assessment frames each playoff hopeful around its single most pressing area of need heading into the deadline.

Why it matters: Deadline acquisitions often decide which contenders hold their position and which fall back over the season's second half. Identifying a team's biggest gap now sets up the moves that shape the playoff picture, from rotation depth to bullpen reinforcements to lineup additions.

What to watch: Watch which contenders act first as the deadline nears and whether the market's top available arms and bats move to the clubs with the clearest needs.