Every year, teams are faced with a decision as the MLB trade deadline approaches.

Some squads try to bolster its current roster for a playoff push, while others look for talent to help the future.

Pittsburgh general manager Neal Huntington found a way to do both.

There was no blockbuster deal for the Pirates, but a massive splash at the trade deadline typically doesn’t translate to an October parade, anyway.

Of the past five World Series champions, the biggest names acquired at the deadline were Edwin Jackson and Rafael Furcal for the 2011 Cardinals; Ramon Ramirez for the ’10 Giants; Joe Blanton for the ’08 Phillies and Eric Gagne — whose career promptly fell off a cliff — for the ’07 Red Sox.

Remember the headlines in New York when the Yankees picked up Jerry Hairston at the 2009 deadline? Me neither.

Trades are usually used to complement a team, whether it be at the minor or major league level, rather than give it a complete makeover.

Huntington gave the Pirates a better chance to become mainstays in the pennant race by scooping up players capable of helping the Bucs this season, while building for the future, as well.

Let’s break down the acquisitions:

• Wandy Rodriguez

Rodriguez is no Zack Greinke, but he brings security to an inconsistent pitching rotation.

It cost three minor leaguers to land Rodriguez, but he’s under contract through next season and since 2008, he’s tallied a 3.46 ERA and 7.9 strikeouts per nine innings.

He might not be an ace, but Rodriguez is a proven No. 2 or 3 type of starter.

• Travis Snider

This was a deal in which teams swapped players who haven’t lived up to draft-day hype. Pittsburgh sent Brad Lincoln — the No. 4 overall pick in the 2006 draft — to Toronto for Snider, who was selected 10 picks later at No. 14 in ’06.

Snider, now 24, made his MLB debut at the age of 20. Based on his production, it’s fair to say he was probably rushed, but the tools are still there. Lincoln seemed to be a likely successor to Joel Hanrahan as the Pittsburgh closer, but the sacrifice is an intelligent gamble for a potential stud corner outfielder with serious power.

The Pirates have him under club control until 2016, and he could go through some frustrating dry spells — basically, an outfield version of Pedro Alvarez — but a change of scenery might just bring out Snider’s upside.

• Gaby Sanchez

This could turn into a complete steal.

Sure, the 28-year-old scuffled this season with the Marlins. However, like Snider, this is a great low-risk, high-reward deal for the Pirates.

Sanchez finished fourth in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2010, before earning a trip to the All-Star game last year.

The Marlins courted Albert Pujols over the offseason, which might have been enough to shake Sanchez’s confidence. He’s been solid against lefties in his career, which at worst, gives the Pirates a perfect platoon mate for Garrett Jones.

• Chad Qualls

The Bucs sent Casey McGehee to the Yankees for bullpen depth once the Sanchez acquisition made him expendable.

I don’t trust Qualls, but that has little to do with his 4.89 ERA.

I just don’t trust anything from New York.

He does have a 3.85 career ERA with 51 saves, though.

Even if Qualls is a bust, the trio of Rodriguez, Snider and Sanchez gives Pittsburgh a better team than it had a week ago, both in 2012 and beyond.

Jason Orfao is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.