The Major League Baseball Trade deadline is now less than three weeks away, and while there have been a few impressive trades in recent days, there is expected to be many more trades ahead of July 31st. Superstars such as Adrian Beltre, Cole Hamels, and David Price will receive much of the media attention when discussing potential deals, but many other solid veterans will change teams and potentially impact playoff races down the stretch.

In this piece I have tried to give a reasonable idea of the prospect costs involved in potentially acquiring these veterans, but try not to focus too closely (or harshly) at the players I mention. Nevertheless these are 5 trades that I believe these various contenders should make to improve their teams and help clinch a playoff berth this fall.

The Washington Nationals Trade Prospects OF Rafael Bautista, LHP Hector Silvestre, and RHP Blake Treinen to Arizona for LHP Oliver Perez and SS Nick Ahmed

The Nationals roster currently is healthy, and the only places seemingly to easily upgrade the roster would be with a bench hitter or a left-handed relief specialist. Additionally, in recent days there have been rumors that Washington is looking to acquire a shortstop prospect to protect themselves in case Ian Desmond departs via free agency after 2015. This hypothetical trade allows the Nationals to get a left-handed specialist in Oliver Perez, a player the team reportedly had interest in last winter and whom is under contract for 2015, and Ahmed, a dynamic, near major league ready shortstop prospect.

In return the Diamondbacks receive a major league ready starting pitcher in Treinen, a groundball specialist who would be a good fit in Arizona’s home park, along with two emerging low-A prospects in Silvestre and Bautista. While it is difficult to envision this type of prospect-for-prospect type deal occurring midseason, this trade could benefit each team and the players involved both short and long-term.

The Baltimore Orioles Trade Prospects LHP Tim Berry and RHP Jimmy Yacabonis to Philadelphia for RHP A.J. Burnett

While Orioles fans are clamoring for a higher profile pitching acquisition, unless Baltimore wants to part with Dylan Bundy, Kevin Gausman, or Hunter Harvey, they will need to set their sights a bit lower. The team, however, could use another reliable starter as they chase the AL East crown, and Phillies A.J. Burnett would be a terrific addition to their rotation.
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Considering Burnett is making $15 million this season and has a mutual $15 million option for 2015, the Phillies may want to clear much of his remaining salary and turn the veteran pitcher into two young arms.

Kansas City Royals Acquire OF Josh Willingham from the Minnesota Twins for INF Cheslor Cuthbert and RHP Luis Santos

Although trades within the same division are difficult, the fit between Kansas City, who desperately needs a right-handed power hitter and Minnesota, who has Josh Willingham and continues to languish in the standings. Minnesota should not be interested in offering impending free agent Willingham arbitration, so they should look to convert this asset into 1-2 prospects. The Twins will not lack for suitors with Willingham, but the Royals have a deep farm system and should  trump other offers to acquire this slugger.

Milwaukee Brewers Receive 1B Kendrys Morales from Minnesota for RHP Ariel Pena

Minnesota signed Morales last month hoping he would ignite the Twins offense or serve as a possible trade chip this summer. He has started slowly but Morales has begun to shown signs of life at the plate, and could be a major upgrade offensively from the combination of Lyle Overbay and Mark Reynolds. An impending free agent, the switch-hitting Morales should have plenty of teams looking to acquire him to bolster their roster ahead of the playoff chase.

The Atlanta Braves acquire OF Jonny Gomes and LHP Andrew Miller from Boston in exchange for RHPs Alec Grosser, Carlos Salazar, and a 3rd prospect

It is difficult to envision the World Champion Red Sox selling this summer, but currently in last place in the AL East and 10 games under .500, Boston will need quite a hot streak the next few weeks to avoid a massive sell-off.

Assuming they are sellers, two pieces that will interest contenders will be impending free agents Jonny Gomes, a notorious lefty masher, and Andrew Miller, a left-handed reliever currently enjoying a breakout season. These two players would fill Atlanta’s two biggest weaknesses, and their reasonable salaries could fit within their budget. Presently Atlanta does not have the strongest farm system but they have plenty of young pitchers to pique the interest the Red Sox.