10 Win-Win Trade Scenarios MLB Teams Should Pull the Trigger On

The goal for each team in the next few days is to win a trade or two. Figuring out what equal return is more difficult than you’d think, however.

Major League Baseball’s July 31 trade deadline is just a few days away, and things are definitely starting to heat up. Those working in front offices across the nation likely won’t be getting much sleep before next Wednesday afternoon, as they look to come out as winners of every trade they complete.

What winnable trades are they discussing?

Here’s a look at 10 potential trade deadline scenarios in which both organizations involved would consider the proposed deal a victory.

All statistics in this article were obtained via FanGraphs unless otherwise noted and are current through July 25. All contract information was obtained via Cot’s Contracts, and all injury information was obtained via Baseball Prospectus.

Jake Peavy to Boston Red Sox

Boston Receives: Jake Peavy

Chicago Receives: Will Middlebrooks, Anthony Ranaudo

Why It’s a Win-Win

Boston has to find a starting pitcher at the trade deadline who can replace the injured Clay Buchholz. But the Red Sox can’t afford to go and make a deal for someone who is just your run-of-the mill, middle-of-the-rotation guy. The team already has enough of those. Peavy would be Boston’s No. 1 starter going forward.

Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports that while Boston and Chicago have been discussing Peavy, Middlebrooks’ name has been thrown around. The White Sox don’t have much talent at third base in the majors or in their minor league system—it makes sense to throw him into the deal, as Boston doesn’t really need him.

But it’s going to take a little more than just Middlebrooks to get Peavy to Boston. Chicago would be getting a guy who was hitting so poorly this year that Boston sent him to the minors. Anthony Ranaudo (or another pitching prospect) must be included just in case the young third baseman never bounces back.

Ervin Santana to Oakland Athletics

Oakland Receives: Ervin Santana

Kansas City Receives: Top-15 Prospect, Two Mid-Level Prospects

Why It’s a Win-Win

Oakland was interested in acquiring Matt Garza before Texas landed him, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports. This shows the A’s weren’t completely comfortable with their starting rotation and were looking to upgrade. 

Now, the A’s have to counter. They could do so by trading a few prospects to Kansas City to acquire Ervin Santana. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports the Royals will deal Santana if they receive a satisfactory offer. The Royals don’t have much minor league infield talent, so maybe Daniel Robertson is the lead prospect.

Oakland can afford to give up a couple of minor leaguers in return for Santana. He may only be 6-6 on the season, but he has a 3.06 ERA and is only walking 1.95 batters per nine innings. He would instantly be one of Oakland's top pitchers and could help the A’s hold off the Rangers for the division crown.

Yovani Gallardo to Arizona Diamondbacks

Arizona Receives: Yovani Gallardo

Milwaukee Receives: Randall Delgado

Why It’s a Win-Win

The Diamondbacks clearly don’t believe they have enough pitching to make the postseason this year. Several key arms have been injured, and others just haven’t performed very well. Patrick Corbin is the only guy in the rotation you could say has done everything expected of him and more in 2013.

Arizona talked to Milwaukee earlier in the month about a deal that would send Gallardo to the Diamondbacks for one of the Snakes’ top pitching prospects, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. Heyman says Tyler Skaggs could be a part of the deal, but Arizona should send Randall Delgado to Milwaukee instead.

Gallardo has been good in previous years but has really struggled in 2013. He’s 8-9 with a 4.88 ERA, which would be a career worst by over a full run if the season ended today. Delgado is one of Arizona’s prized possessions, but he’s replaceable. Kansas City, meanwhile, would be getting a good, up-and-coming and controllable pitcher.

Alex Rios to Pittsburgh Pirates

Pittsburgh Receives: Alex Rios

Chicago Receives: Top-15 Prospect, Two Mid-Level Prospects

Why It’s a Win-Win

The Pirates are looking to add more offense down the stretch with hopes of overtaking the Cardinals in the NL Central. Bruce Levine of ESPN Chicago reports Rios is one of the players toward the top of the team’s wish list. He would likely replace Jose Tabata in right field if Pittsburgh landed him.

Chicago is very far out of the playoff hunt, and one would assume the team is about ready to start rebuilding. The White Sox could seek a few prospects in exchange for Rios to aid the process, and the Pirates could look to send a top prospect like Josh Bell to the White Sox in a deal for Rios.

Chicago would be obtaining a young player who could eventually join the likes of Courtney Hawkins and Trayce Thompson in the team’s future outfield. That would be quite the trio of stars, should they all pan out. The Pirates would get a strong a bat in the 32-year-old Rios, which would aid the team’s division-crown hopes.

Justin Morneau to Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore Receives: Justin Morneau

Minnesota Receives: Top-15 Prospect or Mid-Level Prospect

Why It’s a Win-Win

Baltimore needs to get better production from the designated hitter spot if the team is going to make a postseason run. Entering Friday, Baltimore was only four games back in the AL East and tied atop the wild-card standings, and landing someone who can hit with power and has a bit of consistency could push the team to the top.

Baltimore’s problem is that it appears the team might not have the necessary funds. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports the Orioles might be “tapped out.” Though Morneau only has $6 million left on his contract, but a source told Heyman the Twins first baseman would be “too expensive.”

The Twins need to get rid of Morneau while they can, and if the Twins were willing to eat the remaining salary, Baltimore should be willing to give the team a better prospect, such as Josh Hadler or Branden Kline.

Jonathan Papelbon to Detroit Tigers

Detroit Receives: Jonathan Papelbon

Philadelphia Receives: Top-15 Prospect, Mid-Level Prospect

Why It’s a Win-Win

The Tigers were struggling in the ninth inning until they gave Joaquin Benoit the job. But Benoit has always been more of an eighth-inning reliever, and Detroit has used him in the ninth only out of necessity. The Tigers could look to acquire a closer so Benoit could return to his usual setup man role.

The Phillies have been scouting the Tigers’ minor league affiliates recently, according to Danny Knobler of CBS Sports. One would assume that would be done with hopes of sending Jonathan Papelbon to Detroit in return for a good exchange. Papelbon’s remaining contract could hold up the deal, though, per Knobler.

If the Tigers were willing to pay the rest of the contract, they likely wouldn’t have to send a ton of talent to the Phillies. I don’t foresee Detroit parting ways with Avisail Garcia or Nick Castellanos, but Danry Vasquez could be on the move. Vasquez and another mid-level prospect should be able to get the deal done.

Bud Norris to Atlanta Braves

Atlanta Receives: Bud Norris

Houston Receives: Luis Merejo, Mid-Level Prospect

Why It’s a Win-Win

Atlanta needs to find someone to replace Tim Hudson, who’s going to miss the remainder of the season with a broken ankle, in the starting rotation. The team has four starters currently, including the inexperienced Alex Wood, and two set to return soon from the disabled list. Still, the Braves need to make a move.

Bud Norris seems to be one of the top starters on the market this summer, and Jon Morosi of Fox Sports goes as far as saying the Braves are one of the teams pursuing the Houston righty.

The Braves need a starter, and Norris would be able to get the job done. The Astros may be looking for a lot in exchange for him, though. Luis Merejo could be of interest to Houston. Though he is still a long way from the majors, he’s one of the top pitching prospects in Atlanta’s system.

Alexei Ramirez to St. Louis Cardinals

St. Louis Receives: Alexei Ramirez

Chicago Receives: Carlos Martinez

Why It’s a Win-Win

The Cardinals really need to find someone who can take over for Pete Kozma in the second half and into the postseason. The shortstop is hitting .242/.286/.297 with one home run and 31 RBI this season. He plays well defensively, but St. Louis needs a guy who has a strong bat.

Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reported Wednesday the White Sox and Cardinals have been scouting each other’s personnel recently. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports negates an earlier report that stated the White Sox had turned down a deal that would send Ramirez to the Cardinals in exchange for top pitching prospect Carlos Martinez.

The White Sox should start rebuilding, so if they were offered Martinez, they should’ve made the deal. Ramirez is under contract for a few more years, but the 21-year-old Martinez would give the organization a huge boost. He’s a controllable arm and will definitely be a star in Chicago’s rotation one day.

Chase Utley to Los Angeles Dodgers

Los Angeles Receives: Chase Utley

Philadelphia Receives: Top-15 Prospect, Low-Level Prospect

Why It’s a Win-Win

The Dodgers haven’t been getting great production at second base this season, as the team ranks 21st in terms of 2B WAR, per FanGraphs. Los Angeles could use someone to play over the likes of Mark Ellis on a regular basis. Utley would do just that.

Jon Heyman reports the Dodgers could have interest in landing Utley from the Phillies, but it’s unclear whether Philadelphia general manager Ruben Amaro is going to make Philly sellers. The team enters Friday eight games back in the NL East, and it doesn’t seem like the team is poised for a playoff push.

Utley is hitting .283/.344/.515 with 13 home runs and 36 RBI through 73 games. He would help balance Los Angeles’ lineup and should be able to help the team preserve its very slim lead in the NL West. The Dodgers would likely have to send someone like Garrett Gould and another prospect to aid Philly’s rebuild.

Hunter Pence to Texas Rangers

Texas Receives: Hunter Pence

San Francisco Receives: Two Mid-Level Prospects

Why It’s a Win-Win

The Rangers are currently seeking an insurance plan in case Nelson Cruz gets suspended, according to Jeff Wilson of the Star-Telegram. Of the players Texas is interested in acquiring, Wilson names Hunter Pence one of them. Adding a veteran like Pence would really help the Rangers’ chances of winning the AL West this season.

Pence is only under contract through the rest of the season, so I can’t foresee the Giants asking for much in return, as it doesn’t appear San Francisco is going to make its way back into the playoff race. There’s really no sense in keeping Pence, but the team definitely isn’t going to just hand him over to Texas.

A couple of Double-A or Triple-A prospects who could make an impact with San Francisco in the near future could get the deal done. But Texas shouldn’t give up anything crazy. They could really use Pence but can’t afford to overspend for him.