Win-Win 2016 Trade Deadline Scenarios MLB Teams Should Pull the Trigger On
The goal in any trade, in any sport, is for both teams to walk away happy.
And with the August 1 non-waiver trade deadline looming, it's our aim to craft several such deals.
While we typically hit on trade ideas and scenarios every Tuesday, the rumor mill has picked up significant speed. So consider this a special edition of our weekly trade ideas, with more to come in the days ahead.
As usual, these proposed scenarios are pure speculation. Unless otherwise noted, there's no indication any of them have been discussed.
Jonathan Lucroy and Will Smith to Cleveland
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Cleveland Gets: C Jonathan Lucroy and LHP Will Smith
Milwaukee Gets: 1B Bobby Bradley, OF Clint Frazier, LHP Rob Kaminsky and LHP Justus Sheffield
The Rumor/Speculation
FanGraphs' Dave Cameron is one of several people to predict Jonathan Lucroy to Cleveland, a deal Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel noted is a "big priority" for the Indians.
Why It's a Win for Cleveland
This goes against everything we've come to know about the Indians, a team that hardly ever parts with its young talent. But the Tribe have a chance to not only win the American League Central, but also make a deep run into the playoffs. They can't afford to pass up that opportunity.
With Yan Gomes out until at least late August or early September with a separated AC joint in his right shoulder, there's a hole behind the plate in Cleveland. Lucroy remains one of the premier defensive catchers in the game and might make one of MLB's best rotations even better.
That's a scary proposition for the rest of baseball.
Lucroy's bat would be a massive improvement over the .204 batting average and .599 OPS Gomes has posted since the start of the 2015 season. It would also help replace the production lost during Michael Brantley's absence. Lucroy's hitting .301 with an .841 OPS this year.
On the pitching side, Will Smith would give the Indians a much-needed second left-handed reliever. He's also someone manager Terry Francona could use to help bridge the gap to closer Cody Allen. In fact, with his 2.00 ERA, Smith could fill in for Allen on days he's not available.
Both come with team control as well. Cleveland would hold a $5.25 million team option on Lucroy for next year (a massive bargain), while Smith has two years of arbitration remaining.
Why It's a Win for Milwaukee
The Brewers have been stockpiling prospects since last year's trade deadline—a necessary approach, as general manager David Stearns told Bleacher Report's Seth Gruen earlier this month. Milwaukee sticks with that plan here, adding four high-upside prospects.
That includes a pair of 21-year-old players ready to compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster next year, Clint Frazier and Rob Kaminsky. Frazier can play all three outfield positions and has an intriguing combination of power and speed, while Kaminsky projects as a solid No. 3 starter.
Bobby Bradley and Justus Sheffield are still at least another year away from the majors, but that's no problem for a rebuilding club like Milwaukee.
Bradley's quick hands and natural strength allow him to generate massive power at the plate. He lacks the athleticism and speed to move off first base, but he could become the team's best at the position since Prince Fielder. Like Kaminsky, Sheffield projects to become a durable, reliable mid-rotation arm.
Chris Sale to Texas
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Chicago Gets: OF Lewis Brinson, 3B/OF Joey Gallo, RHP Luis Ortiz, IF Jurickson Profar and C Jose Trevino
Texas Gets: LHP Zach Duke and LHP Chris Sale
The Rumor/Speculation
Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports Texas and Chicago have had discussions about potential deals for starters Jose Quintana and Chris Sale. MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan adds the Rangers are "making serious efforts" to pry Sale loose.
Why It's a Win for Chicago
The White Sox would walk away from this deal with a slew of controllable young players, nearly all of whom have significant upside.
Primarily a center fielder, Lewis Brinson can play anywhere in the outfield and has the power/speed combination teams covet. Joey Gallo's massive power would fill the club's gaping void at designated hitter, and he could take over at third base if/when Todd Frazier departs.
Those two, along with Luis Ortiz, who projects as a front-of-the-rotation starter and is nearly ready for the big leagues, all made MLB.com's top-100 prospects list.
Jurickson Profar, ranked as baseball's top overall prospect back in 2012 before shoulder injuries derailed his career, has proven himself healthy and is athletic and versatile enough to play all over the infield.
Jose Trevino isn't as highly touted as the others, but the 23-year-old could become a steady regular behind the plate for the White Sox as he continues to develop.
Why It's a Win for Texas
Sale is the kind of pitcher a team would—and should—empty its farm system to acquire.
There's not much to say about Sale that we don't already know. One of the game's premier starters and a perennial Cy Young Award contender, the 27-year-old, along with Yu Darvish and Cole Hamels, would give Texas an impressive trio atop its rotation.
That he's due only $38 million through 2019 makes him a major bargain as well, especially when compared to what lesser starters such as James Shields ($21 million) and CC Sabathia ($25 million) will likely be making in 2017 alone.
Zach Duke gives the Rangers another left-handed option in the bullpen besides long reliever Alex Claudio and setup man Jake Diekman. While he's historically been tougher on left-handed batters, Duke has held hitters from both sides of the plate to a .673 OPS this season.
Aroldis Chapman to the Washington Nationals
3 of 4
New York Gets: RHP Reynaldo Lopez
Washington Gets: LHP Aroldis Chapman
The Rumor/Speculation
ESPN's Buster Olney reports New York has been "shaping possible deals" for Aroldis Chapman with multiple teams, including Cleveland, Texas and Washington.
Why It's a Win for New York
The Los Angeles Dodgers tagged Reynaldo Lopez for 10 hits and six earned runs over 4.2 innings in his MLB debut Tuesday. But the 22-year-old flashed his penchant for making batters swing and miss with nine strikeouts, and one start isn't enough to sour his long-term future.
He fits the profile of a late-inning reliever, as he has a blazing fastball that sits in the mid-90s and touches triple digits regularly. But Lopez has shown enough with his secondary offerings, including a nasty curveball and improving changeup, to stick in the rotation.
He may never be more than a No. 2 starter, but he's the kind of hard-throwing, controllable, high-upside arm the Yankees lack in their rotation.
Why It's a Win for Washington
The Nationals are on their third manager in four years and have never advanced past the divisional series in their two trips to the playoffs since moving to Washington. Another early exit from the postseason—or missing out on it altogether—would be a disaster.
Washington has long coveted Chapman, dating back to when he defected from Cuba. And while giving up Lopez is a steep price for a rental, it's the only way to ensure he doesn't wind up closing for another team.
Chapman would represent a significant improvement over incumbent closer Jonathan Papelbon, who is sure to be upset with the prospect of moving into a setup role.
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Jeremy Hellickson to the Baltimore Orioles
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Baltimore Gets: RHP Jeremy Hellickson
Philadelphia Gets: LHP Garrett Cleavinger and RHP Gray Fenter
The Rumor/Speculation
ESPN.com's Jayson Stark mentioned Philadelphia is looking for a big arm (or two)—not necessarily top prospects—in exchange for Jeremy Hellickson.
Why It's a Win for Baltimore
We touched on how miserable Baltimore's rotation is after Chris Tillman last week, and nothing has changed. If the Orioles want to stay in the playoff hunt, they need to add another competent starting pitcher.
Hellickson isn't an ace and is a short-term rental, as he'll hit free agency after the season. But the 29-year-old has put up solid numbers for Philadelphia (3.84 ERA, 1.16 WHIP) and has experience pitching in the AL East, having spent the first five years of his career in Tampa Bay.
He's the perfect fit for a team that lacks both the finances to take on significant salary and the prospects to be serious players for the top arms on the trade market.
Why It's a Win for Philadelphia
The Phillies get the big arms they seek in Garrett Cleavinger and Gray Fenter, which is a solid return for a pitcher they gave up little to acquire from Arizona over the offseason.
Cleavinger projects as a power lefty out of the bullpen, with a fastball that sits in the low 90s and plays up because of the deception in his delivery. He could be a part of Philadelphia's bullpen next season.
Fenter, Baltimore's seventh-round pick in the 2015 draft, is still a few years away from contributing but has a heater that sits in the mid-90s and a quality curveball. If he continues to develop his changeup, he could stick in the rotation. If not, the fastball/curveball combination would make him a weapon in relief.
Unless otherwise noted, all statistics courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com and FanGraphs and are current through games of July 22. All contract information courtesy of Cot's Contracts (via Baseball Prospectus).
Hit me up on Twitter to talk all things baseball: @RickWeinerBR.
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