While the official MLB non-waiver trade deadline isn't until Monday, many teams across the league have already made huge moves in hopes of solidifying their playoff standing or establishing themselves as true World Series contenders.
There may still be some significant deals yet to come, but a few teams have separated from the pack in terms of making improvements and setting the stage for a potentially deep run during the postseason.
As the deadline continues to draw closer, here is a rundown of the organizations that are on the rise and the trades that helped move them up the MLB hierarchy.
Boston Red Sox
In terms of sheer volume, the Boston Red Sox have made the biggest splash on the trade market thus far, acquiring four players for their 25-man roster in four separate deals.
Chief among the additions was All-Star starting pitcher Drew Pomeranz from the San Diego Padres. Boston had to give up a top pitching prospect in Anderson Espinoza in order to land him, but Pomeranz is a lefty in the prime of his career at 27 and adds a much needed arm near the top of the rotation.
One potential concern is that he is over 100 innings pitched this season for the first time in his MLB career, but Pomeranz isn't concerned, according to Jen McCaffrey of MassLive.com: "I feel good. I've probably thrown more innings than I have in the big leagues at this point, even the last three, I'm still over that mark. But I feel good. My arm feels good. I don't think about that too much. I just go out there and try to win the ballgame."
Along with Pomeranz, trading for reliever Brad Ziegler has already paid dividends. With Craig Kimbrel and Koji Uehara on the disabled list, the veteran has moved into the closer role, which is a spot he excelled in during his time with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Once Boston's other relievers return from injury, Ziegler can move into the seventh inning, which will make the bullpen even more dangerous.
Both Aaron Hill and Michael Martinez are smaller additions, but they are capable of playing multiple positions, and that flexibility is key in October.
The Red Sox are far from guaranteed to make the playoffs, but they improved their chances with those four trades, and there is no question that they will be a tough out if they manage to sneak their way in.
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs have been among the best teams in Major League Baseball all season long due largely to a potent lineup and deep starting rotation, but the bullpen has been an issue at times, especially in terms of lefty relievers.
That problem was addressed in a big way, as the Cubbies acquired southpaw Mike Montgomery from the Seattle Mariners before surrendering a king's ransom to net dominant closer Aroldis Chapman from the New York Yankees.
Montgomery is a quality add in terms of providing more options late in games, but the big get is undoubtedly the acquisition of Chapman.
Hector Rondon had been struggling as the closer with four blown saves, but the addition of Chapman allows him to become the setup man, which strengthens Chicago's pen significantly.
Chapman was dealing for the Yanks to the tune of 20 saves, a 2.01 ERA and well over 12 strikeouts per nine innings, and his ability to consistently hit over 100 mph on the radar gun adds a different dimension to the Cubs.
President of baseball operations Theo Epstein gave up a lot for Chapman, including prized shortstop prospect Gleyber Torres, but he believes it is worth it in order to chase a World Series, per Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune: "Given where we are, if not now, when? Given where we are, when those two perspectives clash—the [long] term and the chance to win now, we're going to err on the side of chance to win now."
It has been 107 years since the Cubs won the World Series, and this team seemingly represents one of their best chances to do so in more than a century.
They already have a roster stacked with young talent, which makes it far easier to part with prospects, even if Chapman only turns out to be a rental.
Should trading for him lead directly to a championship, the move will ultimately be well worth it regardless of how good Torres becomes.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays were the unquestioned winners of the trade deadline last season, as they acquired big names such as starting pitcher David Price and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. While this year's splash hasn't been quite as big, they have still done well to make much-needed improvements.
It started with a swap of struggling relievers, as Toronto sent Drew Storen to the Seattle Mariners for Joaquin Benoit.
While Benoit has had a poor year, Storen has been even worse. Plus, the 39-year-old veteran previously enjoyed three consecutive seasons with an ERA of 2.34 or better. He has also served in essentially every role over the course of his lengthy career, which should make him an asset down the stretch in support of closer Roberto Osuna.
Perhaps even more significant, though, was the addition of outfielder Melvin Upton Jr. from the Padres.
After three awful seasons in a row, Upton has experienced a career renaissance, boasting 16 home runs and 20 stolen bases at the time Toronto traded for him.
He was once considered a five-tool performer during his time with the Tampa Bay Rays, and although he has fallen off in recent years and still struggles to hit for a high average, he has a varied skill set that should fit well in the Jays' lineup.
With Jose Bautista and Michael Saunders entrenched, Upton figures to split playing time with Kevin Pillar in center field, although he'll likely have an opportunity to seize the full-time job if he performs well.
Upton adds much-needed outfield depth at the very least, and his combination of speed and power could come in handy as the playoff battle intensifies.
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