Five MLB deadline trades I’d like to see, starting with a stunning three-team deal

With less than one week remaining before the MLB trade deadline, speculation about potential deals is increasing. This follows the recent trade where the Seattle Mariners acquired Josh Naylor from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The article presents three hypothetical trade proposals for discussion and critique:

Proposed Trade 1 (Three-Team Deal):
* **Boston Red Sox receive:** RHP Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins. The Red Sox need starting pitching to bolster their rotation alongside Crochet, Bello, and Giolito for a playoff push. Cabrera, 27, has a 3.48 ERA over 17 starts and is under team control through 2028, though his medical history (recent elbow MRI, past injuries) would need review.
* **San Diego Padres receive:** LF Jarren Duran from the Boston Red Sox. The Padres would aim to create a highly athletic outfield (Tatis Jr., Merrill, Duran) and add a power/speed bat to help close the 5-game gap on the Dodgers. Duran, 28, has an $8M team option for 2026.
* **Miami Marlins receive:** C Ethan Salas from the Padres and RHP Luis Perales from the Red Sox. The Marlins would acquire long-term assets: Salas (19, Double-A, currently injured) as their future catcher, and Perales (22, Tommy John surgery last July, 2.94 ERA in 2023 minors) who has potential similar to Cabrera. The prospects' team control and the Marlins' contention timeline make this fit.

Proposed Trade 2 (Cubs & Pirates):
* **Chicago Cubs receive:** RHP Mitch Keller from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Needing a starter after Justin Steele's season-ending surgery to contend in the NL Central, the Cubs would acquire Keller. He has a 3.53 ERA and 1.16 WHIP over 21 starts and is owed $55.7M over the next three seasons.
* **Pittsburgh Pirates receive:** OF Owen Caissie and INF Cristian Hernandez from the Cubs. Seeking offense (rank last in runs and HRs), the Pirates would get Caissie (23, Triple-A, .278/.379/.569, 20 HRs, considered MLB-ready) and Hernandez (21, High-A, .272, 36 steals, profiles as future leadoff hitter).

Proposed Trade 3 (Yankees & Royals):
* **New York Yankees receive:** 3B Maikel Garcia from the Kansas City Royals. Presented as an alternative if Eugenio Suárez isn't acquired, Garcia (25, All-Star) is slashing .291/.345/.440 with 26 doubles, 8 HRs, and 19 SBs (though caught 9 times). He ranks highly defensively (89th percentile OAA, 78th percentile arm strength) and is under team control through 2029.
* **Kansas City Royals receive:** OF Jasson Domínguez from the New York Yankees.