One Move Each MLB Contender Can Still Make to Fix Its Biggest Flaw

This season's July 31 deadline truly ended the summer trading season, so contenders will have to find other means to make upgrades.We have a few ideas.We've taken a look at each of the 17 contenders left in the 2019 playoff race and pinpointed free-agent signings, injury activations, minor league call-ups and position switches that could potentially make them better for the stretch run.We'll go division-by-division, starting with the American League East.Note: For consistent reference, we've used MLB.com's prospect rankings.Record: 76-39, 1st in AL EastAlthough the New York Yankees should be safe atop the AL East for the rest of the season, they can't be too comfortable with the state of their pitching staff.In particular, their starting rotation has a 5.75 ERA dating back to June 1. But since the Red Sox wouldn't have an obvious replacement for him in their rotation, recalling Ryan Brasier from Triple-A will have to do.After breaking out with a 1.60 ERA in 2018, the 31-year-old righty was banished to Triple-A in July after struggling with a 4.46 ERA through his first 44 appearances of 2019. He didn't return to the mound until June 11 of this season.But after taking a few outings to find his footing, Oakland's No. 2 prospect has recently reclaimed his status as a fast-riser with 19 strikeouts, two walks and only nine hits allowed over his last nine appearances.Puk is a starter in the long run, but right now, his electric fastball-curveball combo look tailor-made for a bullpen role. Kolby Allard, a young lefty acquired from the Atlanta Braves for Chris Martin, is due to join the Rangers after dominating in five shutout innings for the club's Triple-A affiliate on August 3.All the Rangers need now is a boost for an offense that's been slumping and is currently missing star slugger Joey Gallo, who's on the IL recovering from hand surgery.They might as well call Ronald Guzman back up.Although it's only been a couple weeks since the Rangers sent Guzman down to the minors, the act itself didn't signal a desire to move on from the 24-year-old first baseman. It shouldn't be long before he gets called up and has his shot at restoring order in the Braves bullpen.Record: 61-53, 2nd in NL EastSpeaking of NL East contenders with bullpen issues, the Washington Nationals fit that description even better than the Braves.Their pen has an NL-worst 6.00 ERA for the season, and they've already had to place one member (Roenis Elias) of their three-reliever deadline haul on the IL.The situation with Washington's bullpen wouldn't be so dire if Justin Miller had carried over his 2018 breakout, in which he posted a solid 3.61 ERA with 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings. He didn't pitch at all in 2017, and his "comeback" has featured only 21 appearances in the minors over the last two seasons.Yet 11 of those have come since June 16 at Triple-A this season, and they've seen the 29-year-old lefty dominate with 18 strikeouts, four hits and two runs allowed over 11.2 innings. The Brewers have every reason to give that heater a closer look.Record: 58-55, 3rd in NL CentralFor pretty much the entire season, the St. Louis Cardinals have been a rare contender that's needed offense just as much, if not more than it's needed pitching.Overall, the Cardinals rank third-last in the National League in runs per game.