MLB Trade Scenarios: One Blockbuster Deal for Each Seller to Rebuild ASAP

We still have plenty of baseball left to be played before the non-waiver trade deadline at the end of July, and plenty of teams will wait until we get close to determine whether they're buying or selling.

For some teams, like the Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins and San Diego Padres, it's not a question of if they'll be sellers; it's a question of when they'll start selling.

The Oakland A's can likely be thrown into that group as well, though they already made their big moves towards the rebuilding process this past winter with the Trevor Cahill and Gio Gonzalez trades.

We can also include the Houston Astros, though with the salaries owed to their veteran trade chips, they would have to contribute significant money in a deal to bring back anything significant.

As for the group of teams that have yet to decide, there are a number of teams, including the Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies, that I believe are best served in 2013 and beyond by selling. Some of them are included here as well.

Let's take a look at some potential deals that make sense for all parties involved.

Chicago Cubs Trade Matt Garza to the Toronto Blue Jays

Cubs Trade: RHP Matt Garza

Blue Jays Trade: RHP Drew Hutchison, RHP Deck McGuire and OF Moises Sierra

While embattled shortstop Starlin Castro would be the Cubs' most sought-after trade chip, I don't believe for a second that they would consider trading him.

That leaves Matt Garza as their biggest trade chip, and there won't be a lack of interest in the 28-year-old righty.

Back in November, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported that the Cubs wanted young pitching in return for Garza, and there's no reason to think that's changed.

Heyman mentioned both the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays as teams with the prospects to get a deal done, but if I were Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer, the first call I'm making is up to Alex Anthopolous's office in Toronto.

Toronto's farm system is impressive with a number of quality prospects at multiple positions—and combined with some of the young players already in Toronto, there's a lot for the Cubs to target.

Chicago isn't getting an ace in either Hutchison, 21 or McGuire, 22, but they are getting two young arms that project to be solid middle-of-the-rotation innings eaters who will keep the Cubs in games.

Hutchison is already pitching as the fifth starter in Toronto, going 5-2 with a 4.35 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 41 strikeouts over 51.1 innings pitched this season.

McGuire has had a rough time through 12 Double-A starts this season, going 2-7 with a 6.83 ERA. He got hit hard in his last start on Thursday, giving up six runs over five innings against the Richmond Flying Squirrels, Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants.

Sierra, 23, is a right-handed right fielder who has a slash line of .296/.359/.475 with 10 home runs and 35 RBI in 57 games. Even if the Cubs wind up signing Cuban outfielder Jorge Soler, when he is ready to take over in right, Sierra could eventually serve as a quality fourth outfielder.

In Garza, the Blue Jays get an experienced arm to slot behind Ricky Romero, one who has had prior success in the AL East. With the division seemingly wide open this year, Garza could be the piece that pushes the Jays to the front of the line.

Milwaukee Brewers Trade Zack Greinke to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Brewers Trade: RHP Zack Greinke

Angels Trade: SS Jean Segura, LHP Nick Maronde

While the Brewers would like to re-sign Zack Greinke, the fact is that when he hits free agency, the offers he receives are sure to be above and beyond what the Brew Crew is able to afford.

With the team having trouble treading water in 2012, it makes sense to get something other than a draft pick in exchange for Greinke while they can.

The Angels not only get a big-time pitcher to add to an already talented rotation, but they get two months to see whether Greinke can mentally handle Los Angeles before deciding whether or not to be serious bidders for his services following the season.

Segura, 22, is the Angels' top prospect, but he is blocked at the major league level by Erick Aybar at shortstop and Howie Kendrick at second base. He would give the Brewers their shortstop of the future and could step into Milwaukee's lineup today.

Maronde, also 22, is currently on the seven-day disabled list recovering from a concussion. He has two plus offerings in his fastball and slider, and while his changeup needs work, it could be a third above-average pitch.

He's likely a year away from making an impact in the big leagues, but he would slide in nicely behind Yovani Gallardo and Shaun Marcum (who I expect to re-sign in Milwaukee) as the third starter.

Minnesota Twins Trade Denard Span to the Atlanta Braves

Twins Trade: OF Denard Span

Braves Trade: LHP Sean Gilmartin and RHP Zeke Spruill

The Twins need quality pitching desperately, and the Braves, while they have Michael Bourn in center field, have no guarantees that they'll be able to keep him past this season.

Acquiring Span does a number of things for the Braves. He gives them a dynamic speed combination at the top of the lineup with Bourn, and sliding Span into left field would give them a major defensive upgrade.

Under team control through the 2015 season, the Braves would have a replacement for Bourn should he depart as a free agent following the season.

There's no secret that Atlanta's minor league system has a number of quality arms, and the pair of 22-year-olds that the Twins acquire here would give them a solid foundation of innings eaters in the middle of their rotation to build around.

Teammates with the Double-A Mississippi Braves, Gilmartin has a 3.18 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 58 strikeouts over 77 innings pitched while Spruill has a 3.74 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 48 strikeouts over 77 innings pitched.

While neither projects to be an ace, at this point the Twins need multiple quality starters, not just a front-of-the-rotation arm. Picking up this pair would be a good start towards building their future rotation, and it's conceivable that both could head north with the Twins in spring training next year.

Philadelphia Phillies Trade Cole Hamels to the Detroit Tigers

Phillies Trade: LHP Cole Hamels

Tigers Trade: 3B Nick Castellanos, LHP Drew Smyly

The Phillies are one of the teams I mentioned in the opening slide that I think is best served by selling. Yes, the Phillies still have a decent shot to make the postseason, but this is an aging team that has holes which need to be filled.

Cole Hamels is going to test free agency. There's no doubt about that. If his preference truly is to remain in Philadelphia, there's nothing stopping him from re-signing with them. Should Hamels wind up going to the highest bidder as a free agent, well, the return here is far greater than the draft pick they'd acquire as compensation.

While two-month rentals generally don't bring back elite players, Hamels is a different story. He's a legitimate game changer, and the price to acquire him will be, and should be, steep.

Paired alongside Justin Verlander, the Tigers would have one of the most dominating one-two punches in all of baseball at the top of their rotation.

In return, the Phillies get a quality young arm in Smyly who is under team control for the foreseeable future, one who can slide right into their rotation and gives them additional depth once Roy Halladay returns from injury.

In Castellanos, the Phillies finally solve the gaping hole at third base. Currently at Double-A, he's expendable for the Tigers, as he's blocked in the majors by Miguel Cabrera. Castellanos could start for the Phillies in 2013.

San Diego Padres Trade Carlos Quentin to the Cleveland Indians

Padres Trade: OF Carlos Quentin

Indians Trade: RHP Zach McAllister

While the Padres could probably get two lesser prospects in exchange for free-agent-to-be Carlos Quentin (assuming he stays healthy), they'd be wise to pick quality over quantity.

Cleveland is looking to win now, and they desperately need a right-handed bat with power in the middle of their lineup.

In Quentin, that's exactly what they get, not to mention a defensive upgrade in left field as Quentin would send Johnny Damon to the bench.

For the Padres, the 24-year-old McAllister is ready to step into the Padres' rotation today, having gone 1-1 with a 3.96 ERA and and 1.24 WHIP over four starts for the Indians earlier this year.

McAllister's not a front-of-the-rotation arm, but he could be a quality innings eater as a third starter, keeping things close. The Padres need as many young, quality arms as they can get their hands on, and they could do far worse than McAllister.