MLB Trade Ideas to Perfectly Match Buyers and Sellers

Spring training is upon us. Bats are cracking, gloves are popping. Meaningful baseball is nigh.

That doesn't mean trades won't be consummated between now and the July 31 deadline.

With that in mind, let's examine five seismic swaps that would be win-win propositions for the buyer and seller in question.

We'll consider the latest credible rumors and rumblings. But this obviously involves a healthy dose of informed speculation.

RHP Kirby Yates from the San Diego Padres to the Los Angeles Angels

Orlando Ramirez/Associated Press

The Los Angeles Angels added star third baseman Anthony Rendon via free agency and clearly hope to make noise in the American League West.

They could further improve a bullpen that ranked 20th with a 4.64 ERA in 2019. Enter Kirby Yates, who posted a 1.19 ERA, averaged 15 strikeouts per nine innings and posted an MLB-leading 41 saves in 2019 for the San Diego Padres.

The Pads are on the brink of contention with a young core led by shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. That said, they're probably another year away from challenging the loaded Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West.

Yates is set to hit free agency after this season. Now is an ideal time for the Friars to flip him. The Halos could offer high-upside outfielder Brandon Marsh, who posted an .811 OPS at Double-A in 2019, and a secondary piece such as hard-throwing righty Jose Soriano.

San Diego would add two intriguing, controllable pieces, while the Angels would get a lights-out closer and move another step closer to the postseason.

INF Whit Merrifield from the Kansas City Royals to the Oakland Athletics

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

The Oakland Athletics won 97 games in 2019. Despite their small-market status, they're serious contenders in the American League West.

They have a gap at second base, however, and could fill it with Kansas City Royals standout Whit Merrifield.

Merrifield hit .302 with a .348 on-base percentage in 2019 and is controllable through 2023.

He's 31 years old and doesn't fit the mold for the rebuilding Royals, whose contention window won't open for a few years at least.

But he's an excellent match for the A's, who could surrender a pair of promising minor league middle infielders in Jorge Mateo and Logan Davidson that would set KC up for the future.

SS Francisco Lindor from the Cleveland Indians to the New York Mets

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

After trading two-time American League Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber to the Texas Rangers but hanging on to All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor, the Cleveland Indians seem to be caught between a retool and a rebuild.

They could contend in a relatively weak AL Central, but the smarter play might be to cash Lindor in for prospects. The 26-year-old is set to hit free agency after 2021, and his trade value may never be higher for the Tribe.

The New York Mets, meanwhile, are hoping to contend in a deep National League East and could use an offensive boost. 

What if the Mets surrendered emerging shortstop Amed Rosario, who has two more years of club control than Lindor, along with bat-missing left-handed pitching prospect David Peterson and emerging MiLB third baseman Brett Baty?

The Indians would grab a potential Lindor replacement in Rosario plus two promising minor league chips, and the Mets would move closer to the Senior Circuit's top tier.

3B Kris Bryant from the Chicago Cubs to the Philadelphia Phillies

G Fiume/Getty Images

Earlier this month, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant was on the trading block and that the Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals had shown "at least exploratory interest."

Both clubs have a need, but the Phils make the most sense, especially since Bryant and star Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper are longtime opponents and friends. 

The Phillies infield is technically filled by first baseman Rhys Hoskins, second baseman Jean Segura, shortstop Didi Gregorius and third baseman Scott Kingery.

But Kingery can play other positions, including the outfield, as can Bryant. Wherever he plays, the 2016 NL MVP would improve Philadelphia's lineup. He hit 31 home runs with a .903 OPS last season and is entering his age-28 season.

The Phillies would have to give up a lot. Top prospect and third baseman Alec Bohm would be a good starting point, plus electric righty Adonis Medina. Add an ancillary piece or two, and the Cubs could bite.

3B Nolan Arenado from the Colorado Rockies to the Atlanta Braves

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

The Colorado Rockies seemed to frustrate franchise third baseman Nolan Arenado by failing to either trade him or do what it would take to make a postseason push in 2020.

Arenado pledged to "play hard and play for my teammates," per MLB.com's Thomas Harding, but it sounded like the words of a man who'd prefer to change uniforms. He could wait until his opt-out clause kicks in after the 2021 season, or Colorado could move him now and get some talent in return.

The Atlanta Braves are in a win-now window and need to upgrade at third base, where Johan Camargo (and his .663 2019 OPS) tops the depth chart. They have a loaded farm system and can afford to part with a top prospect or two.

In December, MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported the Braves "inquired" about Arenado. 

The Braves have a deep starting corps after adding veterans Cole Hamels and Felix Hernandez. They could dangle right-handed prospects Ian Anderson and Bryse Wilson, both of whom profile as top-shelf big leaguers.

It'd give the Rockies the arms they always need and give the Braves a five-time All-Star, seven-time Gold Glove-winning third baseman.