MLB Trade Scenarios: 5 Teams Guaranteed a Playoff Spot with the Right Deal

The MLB trade deadline can make or break a team's playoff hopes.

In the past, a player acquired at the deadline can sometimes be the catalyst for a great playoff run like Manny Ramirez with the Los Angeles Dodgers or Jason Bay with the Boston Red Sox.

But sometimes they don't go as planned and end up hurting the team's playoff chances. For example, the Toronto Blue Jays, who were contending for a playoff spot, traded prospect Michael Young for veteran pitcher Esteban Loaiza in hopes of Loaiza bolstering their pitching staff. He went 5-7 down the stretch and 25-28 during his time with the Blue Jays. Toronto did not make the playoffs and Michael Young became one of the league's best hitters.

So with this year's trade deadline approaching, you can bet several teams will look to make the right deal in hopes of securing a playoff spot.

Here are the five teams that are one trade away from being a playoff team.

1. Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Twins got off to a terrible start this season and were just 17-37 entering the month of June.

After an impressive two months, they are now 47-54 and only seven games back of the Detroit Tigers.

With the Twins being able to sniff a playoff spot in such a weak division, their attention turns to addressing their needs so they can better contend against the Tigers, Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians.

Their biggest weakness has been their relief pitching, especially from the closer role. 

Thankfully, there are several bullpen options for the Twins to take a look at. Players like Heath Bell, Grant Balfour and Michael Wuertz, among others, have all been mentioned as pitchers that could be on the move.

Current Twins closer, Matt Capps, has struggled mightily this year. He already has seven blown saves and an ERA of 4.71. 

A closer like Bell would instantly give the Twins stability in the bullpen and a reliable option for close save situations.

If the Twins can solidify their bullpen, look for them to make a serious run at a division title.

2. San Francisco Giants

The reigning World Series champions are leading the NL West once again. They are currently four games up on a surprising Arizona Diamondbacks team.

Since a season-ending injury to Buster Posey, the Giants have been in need of another consistent bat in their lineup.

As of July 24, the Giants are ranked 24th out of the 30 teams in home runs. They simply don't have any powerful bat that scares opposing pitchers. 

If they expect to contend for a repeat World Series championship, they will have to bolster their lineup so it can provide run support for their superb pitching staff.

According to Buster Olney, the Giants are considered the front runner for the services of Carlos Beltran.

Beltran would certainly be a welcomed addition to the Giants depleted lineup. He adds a consistently powerful bat and someone who can instantly improve their power numbers.

3. Cincinnati Reds

Perhaps one of the most exciting teams to watch in all of the MLB is the Cincinnati Reds. 

Their lineup features big-time players like reigning NL MVP Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips, Jay Bruce and Drew Stubbs. Their power has really carried them the last two seasons.

However, if the Reds expect to come out on top in the NL Central this season, they need to improve their pitching staff.

Starters Bronson Arroyo, Travis Wood, Edinson Volquez and Mike Leake all have an ERA over 4.00.

Clearly, the Reds need help in their starting rotation. It has been speculated that they are considering trading for Tampa Bay Rays pitcher James Shields.

While Shields is only 9-8 on the season, his ERA remains at a low 2.53. He also has thrown seven complete games this season, which points to Shields having his best season ever.

The Reds just need to figure out whether they feel Shields is worth the prospects they will have to trade in order to acquire him.

4. Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves have been one of the league's strongest teams this season, posting a 59-43 record. This makes them tied for the fourth-best record in all of baseball. Unfortunately, the league's best record belongs to the Braves' division rival in the Philadelphia Phillies. 

Consequently, the Braves will probably have to settle for a wild-card berth. But with the Arizona Diamondbacks, St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers and Pittsburgh Pirates all less than five games back, Atlanta will have no room to relax.

As always, the Braves' strength lies in their pitching. They have received outstanding performance so far this season from Jair Jurrjens, Tommy Hanson and Tim Hudson. 

However, if they expect to keep this pace, I believe the Braves need to acquire another consistent hitter for their line-up. 

Dan Uggla has severely struggled this season and failed to live up to the expectations that were given to him when he signed with the Braves in the offseason. Both Chipper Jones and Jason Heyward have dealt with injury issues that has limited their production this season.

Going after an outfielder would be an excellent move for the Braves at the deadline.

If they fail in acquiring Carlos Beltran, the Braves could realistically look to B.J. Upton or Hunter Pence as  possible solutions.

Either option would solidify the Braves lineup and would give them another reliable defensive presence in the outfield.

5. Pittsburgh Pirates

The most surprising team this yeas has been the Pittsburgh Pirates. For the last 15 years, the Pirates have been the bottom-feeders of the NL and have had minuscule success.

Now, the Pirates are tied for the NL Central lead behind the outstanding success of their pitching staff and All-Star center fielder Andrew McCutchen. 

The Pirates will have to make a move at the deadline if they expect to continue their first-half success.

The most obvious spot of need for the Pirates would be adding another quality hitter to their lineup.  

A player that could fulfill that need for Pittsburgh could be Oakland Athletics outfielder Josh Willingham.

Willingham has shown the power for 25 or more homers per year and hit for around a .275 average.

If the Pirates can solidify their lineup by adding another home-run threat, it could give them the edge they need in order to clinch their first playoff berth since 1992.