MLB Trade Deadline: 15 deals that should happen

These 15 deals could help contending teams at the MLB Trade Deadline on August 1

With pennant races heating up across the nation, teams are already thinking about what direction to take at the MLB Trade Deadline.

The 2016 MLB Trade Deadline is set for 4:00 p.m. Eastern on August 1, one day later than in previous years. While this deadline is not shaping up to be quite as active as usual, a few big names will still be on the move.

As we’ve seen over the past four years, the addition of the second Wild Card makes teams much more hesitant to sell at the deadline, as most clubs believe they still have a shot at the postseason. That’s particularly true this season in the American League, where a number of teams are bunched up in Wild Card contention.

Over in the National League, a few contenders have separated themselves, while some last place teams are already in the process of rebuilding. Buyers will look to grab whatever pieces they can from the likes of the Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds, among others.

A lot of deadline strategy will be determined by how a few fringe AL teams do over the next month, particularly the New York Yankees. Given the lack of pitching available both at the deadline and next offseason, a few general managers may be willing to move some unexpected starters for huge returns as well.

The Chicago White Sox have already made a deal to grab starter James Shields from the San Diego Padres, a move that has backfired so far. These 15 deals could lead to better results for contenders at the 2016 trade deadline.

Next: 15. Jeremy Hellickson to the San Francisco Giants