MLB Trade Rumors: Updated Dream Scenarios for All 30 Teams at the Deadline

We have less than a week to go before reaching the trade deadline and teams are working fast and furious to shore up their rosters as the season prepares to make a turn for the home stretch.

Some teams have already made moves, fulfilling the goals that their General Manager had set for the club weeks and months ago while others are still in the process of wheeling and dealing.

While every move that has been made thus far has fit a need, are these really the moves that these clubs wanted to make? In some cases yes, they are—but every GM has a dream scenario that would make them giggle like a baby were they able to pull it off.

Now it would be easy to sit here and simply write "Acquire Felix Hernandez for a bag of balls, a gallon of pine tar and a dozen bats"—but that's not the kind of dream scenario that I'm talking about. These scenarios have to revolve around a player widely thought or known to be available.

So without further ado, let's take a look at what these dream scenarios are and see who is living the dream and who is destined to be stuck in a never-ending nightmare.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Dream Scenario: That they acquire the future left-side of their infield

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman notes that among other things, the Diamondbacks would like to acquire their third baseman and shortstop of the future. Incumbent third baseman Ryan Roberts has been awful this season and shortstop Stephen Drew is likely to become a free agent after the season.

Diamondbacks' president Derrick Hall says that he doesn't think the team will actually trade right fielder Justin Upton—now or in the winter—but Arizona doesn't have much in the way of trade chips besides the 24-year-old right fielder.

They could dangle fourth outfielder Gerardo Parra as trade bait, but teams aren't going to offer anywhere near the package that they would for Upton.

Considering that their young arms, namely Trevor Bauer and Tyler Skaggs are likely off-limits, it's hard to see how Arizona can plug the holes that they perceive themselves as having without moving Upton, who Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal believes would bring back one of the two infielders they covet along with other major league-ready talent.

Atlanta Braves

Dream Scenario: That Ryan Dempster agrees to join them.

The deal is in place: the Cubs send Ryan Dempster and cash to the Braves in exchange for Randall Delgado, something that has been reported everywhere, including by ESPN's Keith Law:

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Filed to ESPN - if the Dempster trade is completed, Randall Delgado is in it, as well as something to balance the money

— keithlaw (@keithlaw) July 23, 2012

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CBS Sports' Jon Heyman says that there's a 50-50 chance the deal actually happens.

Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal says that Dempster simply doesn't want to be traded to the Braves.

Dempster gives the Braves another dependable starting pitcher—something that their rotation sorely needs—but even with Dempster in the fold, I'm not sure it's enough to put the Braves over the top in the National League.

Baltimore Orioles

Dream Scenario: Acquire Carlos Lee for one of their disappointing youngsters

The Orioles are making a run at the playoffs this season and to get there, they would like to bolster both their starting rotation and corner infield spots.

While pitching is by far the most expensive commodity to acquire at the deadline, the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo says that the Marlins and Orioles spent much of Tuesday talking trade:

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Marlins and Orioles discussing scenarios.

— Nick Cafardo (@nickcafardo) July 24, 2012

 

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Originally I would have thought that Hanley Ramirez was in play, but he's since been traded to the Dodgers.

But Carlos Lee is sitting with a Marlins team that is clearly giving up on the season, and with Lee set to hit free agency after the season, it makes little sense for Miami to hold onto him.

The Orioles have a number of prospects not named Dylan Bundy or Manny Machado who could intrigue the Marlins, but what about one of Baltimore's underachieving starting pitchers under 26-years-old?

Brian Matusz, Jake Arrieta, Zach Britton and Chris Tillman could all be of use to the Marlins as they re-tool on the fly. While the Orioles don't want to sell low on anyone, it's time for them to part with one of these disappointing arms, players who clearly need a change of scenery.

Boston Red Sox

Dream Scenario: Trade for Josh Johnson and Hanley Ramirez

The Red Sox, among others, have interest in Marlins' ace Josh Johnson:

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Red Sox have scouted but are not close on a deal for struggling Marlins righty Josh Johnson

— Nick Cafardo (@nickcafardo) July 23, 2012

 

 

Johnson has struggled in 2012, posting a 4.14 ERA and 1.33 WHIP, but there's no denying that when he's on, he remains one of the better pitchers in the game.

Talks between the two teams about Hanley Ramirez that were thought to be dead are anything but that, according to Cafardo, who says that the two teams were still discussing potential trades as recently as Monday night.

Johnson would bolster Boston's rotation and Ramirez shortstop, and while both players certainly have some red flags around them, a change of scenery might be exactly what it takes to get them back on track.

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Chicago Cubs

Dream Scenario: Find a taker for Alfonso Soriano

Alfonso Soriano is owed a ton of money, but the Cubs are said to be willing to pick up most of his contract:

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Not surprisingly, Cubs are telling teams they will eat almost all of Soriano $$ (maybe all but $3 mill) if they can dump him.

— DKnobler (@DKnobler) May 31, 2012

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Which makes the apparent lack of interest in Soriano bewildering, at least to me.

While most teams view him strictly as a designated hitter at this point in his career, Soriano is still more than capable at the plate, posting a .271/.322/.494 batting line with 18 home runs and 56 RBI through 89 games with the Cubs in 2012.

Chicago White Sox

Dream Scenario: Trade for Zack Greinke

Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports report that White Sox GM Kenny Williams is looking to make a big move before the trade deadline—and that he's focused on bringing Brewers' ace Zack Greinke back to the AL Central.

While it's true that the White Sox lack much in the way of big-time prospects down on the farm, the duo notes that the White Sox are actively trying to move Gavin Floyd. The premise here is that the Sox move Floyd for prospects, then turn around and use those prospects in a package to land Greinke.

Greinke would give the White Sox a pretty formidable front of the rotation in Greinke, Jake Peavy and Chris Sale—and make them incredibly difficult to play in a short series.

Cincinnati Reds

Dream Scenario: Acquire a leadoff hitter without giving up the farm

The Reds have scouted Twins' center fielder Denard Span on a number of occasions, but as with most teams who have called Minnesota in the past week or so, they have learned that the asking price for Span is very high.

In a world viewed through rose-colored glasses, the Twins would become reasonable and deal Span to the Reds for a combination of prospects—and not including speedster Billy Hamilton in any deal.

Cleveland Indians

Dream Scenario: Acquire a starting pitcher and right-handed bat in the same deal

It's no secret that the Indians would like to add a right-handed bat and a starting pitcher before the deadline, something reaffirmed by Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal this past weekend.

While that scenario screams Matt Garza and Alfonso Soriano from the Cubs if you ask me—but the Indians simply don't have the pitching prospects to get a deal done.

Drew Pomeranz and Alex White would have been a solid start to build a package around, but the Tribe sent those two and more to the Rockies at last year's deadline for Ubaldo Jimenez, who has been awful in Cleveland since his arrival.

Colorado Rockies

Dream Scenario: Trade for serviceable major league starting pitcher(s)

ESPN's Jayson Stark says that the Rockies are shopping both Marco Scutaro and Jason Giambi, and while neither one has much value, Colorado absolutely has to get pitching in return.

Giambi isn't much more than a lefty bat off of the bench, while Scutaro can still play second base or shortstop on a regular basis. Both veterans, who become free agents after the season, could be useful for a contender looking to shore up their bench heading into the last two months of the season.

Detroit Tigers

Dream Scenario: Add a starting pitcher and second baseman without trading Nick Castellanos

Who says dreams don't come true?

By trading for Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante, the Tigers filled the two holes that they needed to fill—another serviceable starting pitcher and an everyday second baseman who could field and hit.

It wasn't cheap to acquire the duo—top pitching prospect Jacob Turner was one of three players the Tigers sent to Miami—but they did very well for themselves without giving up Castellanos, now the best prospect in the organization.

Houston Astros

Dream Scenario: Find a taker for Wandy Rodriguez

The Astros saw their dreams become reality as they dealt the 33-year-old Rodriguez and the more than $30 million remaining on his contract to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for three minor leaguers.

In order to facilitate the deal, Houston agreed to include as much as $17.7 million towards Rodriguez's salary.

Kansas City Royals

Dream Scenario: Acquire a front-of-the-rotation starting pitcher

Only two teams in baseball, the Twins and the Rockies, can claim to have a more inept starting rotation than the Kansas City Royals. Royals' starters have gone a combined 27-41 with a 5.39 ERA and opposing batters are hitting .285 against them.

Unfortunately for the Royals, the players they have made available aren't likely to get them that pitcher:

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Available #Royals, according to sources: Broxton, Mijares, Francoeur, Y. Betancourt.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 24, 2012

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Out of that group, Jonathan Broxton has the most trade value—and there are teams interested in dealing for him:

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Giants also looking for bullpen help. Broxton could be a possibility for them.

— DKnobler (@DKnobler) July 21, 2012

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Of course, were the Royals to dangle one of their top outfield prospects—Wil Myers or Bubba Starling—they wouldn't have difficulty landing multiple pieces for their rotation.

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Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Dream Scenario: Trade for a quality starting pitcher

The deal is on the table—James Shields to the Angels in exchange for outfielder Peter Bourjos, catcher Hank Conger and possibly starter Ervin Santana as well, says ESPN's Tim Kurkjian.

A rotation of Jered Weaver, Shields, C.J. Wilson, Dan Haren and Garrett Richards would be one of the more impressive ones in the game—and make the Angels even more dangerous the rest of the way and in the postseason.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Dream Scenario: Add a starting pitcher and third baseman

The Dodgers were able to accomplish one of these dreams overnight as they acquired Hanley Ramirez from the Miami Marlins without giving up much in the way of prospects:

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#Dodgers have acquired Hanley Ramirez and Randy Choate for Nathan Eovladi and a minor leaguer. No money being sent to #Dodgers by #Marlins.

— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) July 25, 2012

 

Eovaldi profiles as a middle-of-the-rotation arm at best while the minor leaguer, RHP Scott McGough, is a reliever.

The fact that they did not have to include their top pitching prospect in the deal, Zach Lee, allows them to potentially use Lee to acquire the veteran starter that they desire to put next to Clayton Kershaw atop their rotation—the Cubs' Matt Garza and Ryan Dempster are obvious possibilities

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Miami Marlins

Dream Scenario: Trade Hanley Ramirez without eating salary

The Marlins were able to accomplish this overnight: 

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#Dodgers have acquired Hanley Ramirez and Randy Choate for Nathan Eovladi and a minor leaguer. No money being sent to #Dodgers by #Marlins.

— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) July 25, 2012

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Minor league RHP Scott McGough is the other player headed to Miami in the deal.

The Marlins were desperate to get Ramirez out of the clubhouse; Eovaldi's ceiling is that of a middle-of-the-rotation arm while McGough is strictly a middle reliever.

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Milwaukee Brewers

Dream Scenario Number One: Work out a contract extension with Zack Greinke

The Brewers offered Greinke a multi-year extension worth around $100 million, but Greinke has since stated his desire to test the free agent market following the season, something that will surely wind up forcing the Brewers to trade their ace.

While the team figures out it's next move, they'll hold out hope that Greinke has a change of heart and signs on the dotted line before the deadline hits next Tuesday.

Dream Scenario Number Two: Move Aramis Ramirez for Zach Lee; Trade Greinke for Mike Olt

According to ESPN's Jim Bowden, this is the Brewers' preferred course of action should Greinke continue to rebuff their extension offer:

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Brewers would love to be able to turn Aramis Ramirez into Zach Lee of Dodgers then turn Greinke into Mike Olt of the Rangers but unlikely

— JIM BOWDEN (@JimBowdenESPNxm) July 24, 2012

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Incredibly unlikely to happen—especially the Dodgers' parting with Lee for Ramirez—but we've seen crazier things happen at the deadline.

Minnesota Twins

Dream Scenario: Find a team willing to overpay for Denard Span and/or Josh Willingham

The Twins pitching staff is in shambles and they have nothing resembling a quality major league arm within earshot in the minors, so you'd think that they would be working hard to move their more attractive players—outfielders Denard Span and Josh Willingham—to fill that gaping hole.

Instead, the Twins are asking for so much in return that teams simply aren't interested in having a serious dialogue about either player according to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, among others:

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One GM on the availability of #Twins' Josh Willingham: "He's out there if you want to pay, like, forever."

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 24, 2012

The Twins will continue to dream big, but unless a contender gets really desperate, there's virtually no chance that their dreams will come true.

New York Yankees

Dream Scenario: Acquire an outfielder without giving up anything substantial

With left fielder Brett Gardner out for the season and the team worried about Raul Ibanez and Andruw Jones wearing down, Yankees GM Brian Cashman got down to work.

He kicked the tires on Denard Span and Shane Victorino, though nothing came of those conversations and ultimately was able to acquire Ichiro from the Mariners in exchange for a pair of minor league pitchers who didn't fit into the Yankees long-term plans.

While Ichiro may not have been the outfielder that the Yankees dreamed of adding (Justin Upton), they got what they wanted at the price they wanted.

New York Mets

Dream Scenario: Find someone to take Jason Bay off of their hands

Remember, this is about dream scenarios—and finding anyone who wouldn't hang up the phone at the first mention of his name would be a miracle in itself.

Oakland Athletics

Dream Scenario: Acquire Chase Headley without giving up top prospects

The A's, like a number of other teams, are interested in adding Padres' third baseman Chase Headley—but Oakland doesn't want to pay market price to get a deal done:

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issue for a's on headley will be their understandable reluctance to give up top prospects

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) July 23, 2012

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Should the market for Headley suddenly dry up—and we can now remove the Dodgers as a possible destination—the A's could get their man at their price.

Philadelphia Phillies

Dream Scenario: Sign Cole Hamels to a long-term extension

What appeared to be nothing but a pipe dream two weeks ago is on the verge of becoming reality, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.

Rosenthal reports that the Phillies and Hamels are close to agreeing on a six-year extension worth more than $137.5 million dollars but less than the $161 million that CC Sabathia got from the Yankees,  making Hamels the second highest paid pitcher in baseball.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Dream Scenario: Trade for a starting pitcher and an impact bat without dealing their top prospects

Part one of the dream has been accomplished with their acquisition of lefty Wandy Rodriguez from the Houston Astros yesterday.

The Pirates have discussed names with the Phillies in regards to center fielder Shane Victorino, though no agreement has been reached:

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Heard #Pirates bid for Victorino got hung up when #Phillies asked for Lincoln. Bucs offered Hughes. Minor leaguer also included.

— Rob Biertempfel (@BiertempfelTrib) July 24, 2012"

Whether it's a first baseman or another outfielder, the Pirates are set on adding pieces so that they can not only make the playoffs, but advance in them as well.

San Diego Padres

Dream Scenario: Find someone to pay their asking price on Chase Headley

Any team that wants to get their hands on 28-year-old third baseman Chase Headley is going to have to pay a steep price, according to ESPN's Buster Olney:

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The Padres have asked the Pirates for a significant package of prospects for Chase Headley, as they have with all teams.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 23, 2012

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An excellent defensive player with a solid bat, the Padres don't necessarily have to move him—and as contenders continue to make moves, someone could feel the pressure to add a piece and cave in to San Diego's asking price.

San Francisco Giants

Dream Scenario: Acquire a power-hitting, right-handed bat and a reliever on the cheap

While the Giants don't necessarily have to make a move, you wonder if the Dodgers' acquisition of Hanley Ramirez will instill a sense of urgency in Giants' GM Brian Sabean.

It has been said that they'd like to add a reliever—such as the Indians' Chris Perez, as well as some help on offense:

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Giants want power off the bench but are not considering Rick Ankiel, so I'm told. They crave RH bat at 1B, 3B or OF.

— Andrew Baggarly (@CSNBaggs) July 22, 2012

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After giving up a potential stud in Zack Wheeler for a two-month rental (Carlos Beltran) at last year's deadline, the Giants are interested in adding pieces on the cheap—which may be a dream in itself.

Seattle Mariners

Dream Scenario: Add a shortstop without giving up their best prospects or young players

The Mariners and Diamondbacks briefly discussed Arizona shortstop Stephen Drew, but talks ended after the M's made it clear that Dustin Ackley, Kyle Seager, James Paxton, Taijuan Walker, Danny Hultzen and, of course, King Felix were not available.

Seattle is years away from contending, so it makes sense that they don't want to give up any of their young pieces. But unless they are suddenly in a position to take back a bad contract, they will be hard pressed to add additional, significant pieces without moving one of their young stars.

St. Louis Cardinals

Dream Scenario: Add a quality piece to the bullpen and another starter without surrendering a top prospect

Cardinals' GM John Mozeliak told Derrick Gould of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the Cardinals don't need to add a starting pitcher at the deadline, but they continue to be mentioned in reports revolving around Miami starter Josh Johnson and Tampa Bay starter James Shields.

Adding a reliever likely won't require a top prospect to accomplish, but starters are a different story. Shelby Miller, who has struggled at Triple-A this season, could find himself moved as part of a package to acquire both pieces.

Tampa Bay Rays

Dream Scenario: Get their catcher of the future, an outfielder to replace B.J. Upton in 2013 and a pitcher in exchange for James Shields

A trade between the Angels and Rays was said to be in the works yesterday, one that would have sent outfielder Peter Bourjos and catcher Hank Conger to the Rays in exchange for Shields, but those talks broke down late last night.

Texas Rangers

Dream Scenario: Add a top-of-the-rotation starter

Virtually every big-name starter that has been speculated to be available has been linked to the Rangers over the past few weeks, and that chatter is only going to get louder the closer we get to the trade deadline on Tuesday.

Using third base prospect Mike Olt as trade bait, the Rangers will almost certainly be able to land either Zack Greinke, Josh Johnson or James Shields.

Toronto Blue Jays

Dream Scenario: Add a top-of-the-rotation starter

No team in baseball has a deeper farm system than the Blue Jays, and it's no secret that they want to add a big-time starting pitcher to the front of their rotation.

While giving up the farm to land a rental in Zack Greinke may not make much sense on the surface, if the Jays believe that they can make a run in the playoffs, it's not out of the question.

Whether it's a rental like Greinke or someone under team control for at least another season such as Matt Garza or Josh Johnson, the Jays have the pieces needed to make their dream a reality.

Washington Nationals

Dream Scenario: Replace the injured Ian Desmond without giving up anything of value

With All-Star shortstop Ian Desmond sidelined for at least a few weeks with a strained oblique muscle, the Nationals are on the hunt for a quality replacement.

Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post says that the team has kicked the tires on a handful of middle infielders, including Jamey Carroll, Nick Punto and Marco Scutaro.

While none of those players should command much in the way of prospects to acquire, the Nationals could find themselves forced to choose between giving up a quality prospect or heading into the stretch run with a below average player at shortstop.