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Lost in all the respect and hoopla surrounding Derek Jeter’s last season as part of the New York Yankees is the fact that the squad is still very much in the race for an American League playoff spot.

Entering play Monday, the Bronx Bombers were four games behind the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East and battling with the Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners and Kansas City Royals for wild-card positioning.

Perhaps a significant move or two at the trade deadline could push the Yankees over the top? 

With that in mind, here is a look at some of the latest rumors coming out of New York.

John Danks

Jayson Stark of ESPN.com filled fans in on the latest regarding New York’s potential pursuit of John Danks:

The White Sox had scouts watching the Yankees’ system, particularly the minor league catching surplus, in the past few days. It is yet one more indication the Yankees are focused on John Danks in their search for another starting pitcher.

It is certainly interesting that the Yankees are connected with Danks because many teams would take umbrage with his $14.25 million salary the next two years, but probably not New York. Danks may have a 9-6 record, but his 4.40 ERA is certainly far from elite, as are the 17 home runs he has allowed. 

Still, the Yankees pitching staff has taken some lumps in the injury department with CC Sabathia and Masahiro Tanaka. Adding Danks would provide some depth and another solid arm to a rotation that ranks 17th in the league in ERA.

He may not be a game-changer, but Danks would certainly give the Yankees a more formidable pitching group heading into the stretch run.

Platoon Search

Despite the pitching staff concerns, there are still some other needs. Stark had another update:

While the Yankees have looked into names like Josh Willingham, other clubs say they appear most focused this week on finding a right-handed hitting platoon partner in right field for Ichiro Suzuki, and one with no long-term salary commitments. So names like Chris Denorfia (Padres) and Justin Ruggiano (Cubs) are more likely than, say, Marlon Byrd or Alex Rios.

Ichiro hasn’t exactly dominated in New York, but he is batting .270 and is still a solid glove in the outfield. If he could platoon with someone consistently at age 40, his production would probably see an uptick. 

None of the names on that list Stark provided is going to single-handedly win the Yankees an American League pennant, but more depth is critical as the wear and tear of the season takes its toll in September. Keeping fresh legs in the outfield, especially one that features older veterans like Ichiro, could be the difference in a future game or two.

Looking for Pitching

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports filled fans in on the Yankees’ search for some other more notable names:

The rival Red Sox are said to listening on ace Jon Lester and others now, but he’s more likely a winter free-agent consideration for them than a trade possibility for New York.

While Cliff Lee could become an option later if he pitches some better games in his return after a two-month absence with an elbow issue, the Yankees aren’t focused on him now since he’s all but sure to clear waivers in August and remain a trade candidate.

Lee’s teammate Cole Hamels seems barely available, and even if he is, the Yankees probably don’t have the upper-level prospects to do such a deal.

That doesn’t exactly seem promising from New York’s perspective, but one American League scout had a more positive take, via Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe:

They have more in their farm system than people think. They have some arms, they have the Aaron Judge kid, [Luis] Severino, [Gary] Sanchez, [Peter] O’Brien, [Eric] Jagielo. If they wanted to make a deal, they have enough to give up.

The name that really jumps out from that list of pitchers is Jon Lester. If the Yankees do pursue him in the offseason, it wouldn’t be much of a stretch seeing them throw big-time money his way. In fact, New York tossing dollars at the best arm on the market is almost a rite of passage for any offseason. 

It’s hard to see Boston trading a pitcher of Lester’s caliber, who just so happens to be among the best lefties in all of baseball, to its chief rival. That being said, stranger things have happened at the MLB trade deadline.

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In the thick of the National League East race, the Atlanta Braves would be wise to make a move or two before MLB‘s non-waiver trade deadline passes on Thursday.

There are two glaring holes on this roster—left-handed relief and bench depth. The latest rumors certainly touch on the fact that the bullpen needs help, though there really isn’t too much going on in terms of bench help.

That said, there’s a bit of a surprising rumor that the Braves may be toying with ahead of the deadline that would make the lack of bench depth less apparent.

Read below for the latest buzz surrounding the Braves.

David Price, Jon Lester

Jon Lester and David Price squared off last Friday night, but that wasn’t the only clash going on in the ballpark. Multiple teams had scouts on hand to get a look at both starters ahead of the deadline, according to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal:

Both starters have been the subject of trade rumors recently, though it’s unclear which starter the Braves were in attendance for. Maybe it was both. Maybe it was just one of the two. Regardless, it appears that Atlanta isn’t comfortable with its rotation of Julio Teheran, Mike Minor, Ervin Santana, Aaron Harang and Alex Wood.

Both starters would be upgrades to the rotation. That said, the price may simply be too high for the Braves, and not only because of each left-hander’s pedigree. Their numbers this season are also superb:

The Braves have good talent in the farm system to deal, but acquiring starting pitching should not be the priority right now. Sure, it’s hard to argue with bringing in one of the two aforementioned aces, but shoring up other areas instead of masking them is paramount.

Instead of Lester or Price, the Braves need to find some depth.

Andrew Miller

“Atlanta has identified lefty in the pen as its biggest need,” writes CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman, and David O’Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Andrew Miller is one of the team’s top targets to fix the issues in the pen:

Miller has been great for the Boston Red Sox for three straight seasons. Since he began his tenure in Boston, Miller owns an ERA of 3.83 (3.56 FIP), 1.395 WHIP and 214 strikeouts in 176.1 innings pitched. Those numbers are a bit skewed, as he was a starter in his first season with the Sox.

Now strictly a reliever, Miller is a great lefty specialist. He can strike out any of the lefties in the American League, mostly because of his great fastball and decent control.

Miller is arguably the top lefty available. This is exactly the type of move the Braves need to make. Here’s why.

Take a look at the National League East. Powerful lefties like Bryce Harper, Chase Utley, Curtis Granderson and others grace the lineups of the Braves’ biggest rivals.

Currently without a lefty-stopper in the pen, the Braves have put themselves at risk against these hitters. Miller would mitigate the risk and give them a quality option to combat those hitters.

James Russell, Oliver Perez

The Braves are desperate to add a lefty arm. Just how desperate? Well, ESPN’s Jim Bowden (Insider subscription required) reports that the Braves have looked everywhere: “The Braves have touched base with every team that has an available left-handed reliever, with James Russell of the Cubs and Oliver Perez of the Arizona Diamondbacks among possibilities.”

The Chicago Cubs and Diamondbacks should both be in positions to sell. Neither is nearing a playoff push this season. Both Russell and Perez are assets who could net solid returns considering their status as specialists in the bullpen.

Perez has re-invented himself as a reliever over the past three seasons. This year has been his best, as evidenced by his 2.04 ERA (2.50 FIP), 1.160 WHIP and 46 strikeouts in 39.2 innings pitched.

Under contract through 2015, Perez would require slightly more to acquire than a rental would. A top-10 prospect should be enough to entice the D’Backs.

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Troy Tulowitzki is one of the best players in the game today. He not only hits for average but also has extraordinary power for a shortstop. Any team looking to acquire him by the trade deadline would have to be willing give up a hefty sum in return. A few teams are said to be interested in making a trade for Tulowitzki.

Of the teams rumored to be interested in his services, which do you think makes the most sense?

Watch as Bleacher Report National MLB columnist Scott Miller breaks down which teams are the best fits for Troy Tulowitzki.

All stats accurate as of July 28.

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The 2014 MLB trade deadline is looming, the rumors keep coming and it is becoming clear which teams are truly interested in bolstering the roster with some astute acquisitions rather than relying on the talent already at hand.

July 31 is the cutoff date. Beyond that, it’s pretty much the (often very minor) waiver-wire deals and possible free agents/call-ups to help out the team. July is where the truly excellent moves are made.

Let’s take a gander at the latest buzz surrounding some of the top players on the block and predict which teams will be making use of their talents by the time the trade deadline ends.

Jon Lester, LHP, Boston Red Sox

Jon Lester has professed his love for Beantown, but that doesn’t stop his name from popping up in the MLB rumor mill.

According to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal and Jon Morosi, the Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners are both in on acquiring Lester from the Boston Red Sox:

This is a dicey proposition for any team, as Lester’s contract is up in 2014 and he hasn’t ruled out going right back to Boston if traded.

“Why not? This is what I know, this is what I love and like I’ve said plenty of times, this is where I want to be,” he said, via the Boston Herald‘s Joey Knight.

The Mariners won’t mind bringing in another star with an AL East pedigree. As Rosenthal noted, they have been in on David Price, which shows they are very serious about bolstering the rotation.

The Baltimore Orioles could make a compelling offer, but the Red Sox might not want to trade Lester to a division rival. 

Seattle could offer their promising 21-year-old starter, Taijuan Walker, in a trade. However, they would likely want some sort of assurance that Lester wouldn’t go right back to the Red Sox when his contract finished up.

Prediction: Seattle Mariners

Cole Hamels, LHP, Philadelphia Phillies

According to Morosi, the Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals have the best chance of landing Philadelphia Phillies starter Cole Hamels:

Hamels is currently 5-5 on the season with a 2.72 ERA, 125 strikeouts and a 1.153 WHIP.

He’s no rental, either, as his contract runs through at least 2018, per Spotrac. This gives the Phillies plenty of leverage when negotiating trades with other teams, but it also takes away some of the urgency.

The Dodgers’ most prized asset in the minors is center fielder Joc Pederson, who currently boasts a .322/.455/.592 slash line in Triple-A ball this year. They shouldn’t be too desperate, as they already have four great starters in the rotation in Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Hyun-jin Ryu and Josh Beckett.

It’s unlikely the Phillies will want to take on one of the Dodgers’ giant outfield contracts, so it could be tough for them to come to an agreement.

The St. Louis Cardinals have a chance, but Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro can be tough to negotiate with, and the team has needs in other areas, such as catcher.

The price is indeed going to be too steep for either of these teams, which keeps Hamels in Philly until winter at the very least.

Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies

Kurt Suzuki, C, Minnesota Twins

This is a saga that could very well find a resolution before July 31. According to sources for KSTP.com’s Darren Wolfson, the Minnesota Twins are at an impasse in contract-extension talks with catcher Kurt Suzuki and won’t be able to reach an agreement anytime soon:

As CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman noted on July 25, the Orioles and Cardinals have both shown interest in trading for Suzuki.

Suzuki is on a one-year deal with the team and enjoying one of the finest seasons of his career, sporting a .309/.367/.392 slash line and 41 RBI so far.

One team that hasn’t been in the market for Suzuki but probably should be is the Dodgers. With so many injury-prone players in the lineup, they could definitely use another solid bat. Current Dodgers starting catcher A.J. Ellis is hitting just .199 on the season.

But no noise from the Dodgers on this front, which makes the Baltimore Orioles the most likely candidate for Suzuki’s services since Matt Wieters is out for the rest of the season while Yadier Molina is set to return for the Cardinals this year.

The Twins can use the Orioles’ desperation and tight AL East battle against them in an effort to drive up the price for Suzuki.

Prediction: Baltimore Orioles

All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com and updated as of July 28 unless otherwise noted.

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Ah, the trade deadline.

It’s that time of year where fans obsessively refresh Twitter and the careers of many baseball players and executives hang in the balance. 

Due to the addition of the second wild card to postseason play, the amount of teams willing to trade off notable pieces has declined. With more teams in the hunt to play in October, there are fewer impact players available on the market that buyers can go after.

That makes this trade deadline rather intriguing in two ways: 1) The teams that are clear sellers know the advantage they have in possessing pieces to deal with a big bounty headed back in return, and 2) there are many more teams interested in acquiring assets to fuel playoff runs.

With limited resources available on the market and increased competition, the trade deadline could be boom or bust. The two highest sellers are big-market teams that don’t need to make moves just for the sake of making a move, while buyers could blanch at high prices, which would freeze the trade market. On the flip side, sellers could have no trouble finding a trade package they like out of the varied options available to them.

Here are the five teams most likely to be aggressive heading into July 31, trade deadline day.

Begin Slideshow

Just over two days remain until the July 31 MLB non-waiver trade deadline.

In other words, information and innuendo are going to start flying at a rapid rate across various information channels. And at this time of year, MLB fans wouldn’t have it any other way.

So let’s take a look at some of the bigger names that are presumably on the trade block.

For the sake of brevity, we will keep it simple. Here are three MLB trade scenarios based on actual need and published rumors through the end of Monday, July 28. 

As a standard note, the following proposals are nothing more than postulation. The point here is to build a trade based on someone else’s written or spoken word.

They are balanced deals that are fair for each team, though, and take into consideration each franchise’s strengths and weaknesses.  

Begin Slideshow

With the MLB trade deadline approaching in two days, speculation surrounding the biggest names on the market figures to reach a fever pitch shortly. With tight races in five of the six divisions, the plethora of teams in contention should create a seller’s market for the organizations that have decided to build for the future.

Though the trade deadline has brought duds in recent years, this summer offers the promise of marquee All-Stars potentially on the move. Of course, not all the noise will result in tangible action. But as the Oakland Athletics showed when they acquired Jeff Samardzija, a team willing to pay for immediate dividends can drastically alter the complexion of the pennant race.

So which teams could follow Oakland’s footsteps and forge a consequential move of their own? Digging through the noise, here are a few rumors surrounding former All-Stars that could come to fruition over the next 48 hours.

Tulo in Beantown?

Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki has been the biggest name available for the past few weeks, but seemingly nothing imminent has emerged. However, The Boston Globe‘s Pete Abraham reported of a source indicating Tulowitzki’s willingness to move north:

As splashy as that move sounds, Tulowitzki would be a bizarre acquisition for the Red Sox. Boston general manager Ben Cherington recently waved the white flag on his team’s title defense after a five-game losing streak against AL East opponents. Moreover, with Xander Bogaerts openly pining to return to shortstop, acquiring Tulowitzki would likely alienate the Sox’s brightest young star.

There’s also the matter of Tulowitzki being currently on the disabled list with a hip flexor strain. For all his talents, the shortstop has a checkered injury history, and the Red Sox demonstrated a refusal to commit big money to a similar player when they allowed Jacoby Ellsbury to walk in the offseason.

Tulowitzki seems highly unlikely to move anywhere at all. It’s unclear whether or not the Rockies will return to contender status while Tulo remains in his prime, but Colorado does not appear inclined to move the face of their franchise.

Price Staying or Going?

Even with a recent winning streak, the Tampa Bay Rays remain 7.5 games out of first place in the AL East and have five teams ahead of them in the race for the second wild-card berth. Thus, ace starter David Price remains firmly on the market.

The winning streak would seemingly have diminished the chances of Price moving, considering the day-to-day snap judgments front offices must make about buying or selling. However, The Boston Globe‘s Nick Cafardo relayed an opinion from one anonymous scout who believed that Price would still move:

‘I still think when push comes to shove, the Rays will deal him,’ opined one National League special adviser. ‘They’ve come a long way to get to this point and they’re still five or six games under .500. How much longer can they sustain that? So it’s a tough call and you don’t want to be perceived as waving the white flag, but there’s demand for him.’

It’s unclear who would pay the exorbitant price (no pun intended) the Rays have demanded. The Los Angeles Dodgers have long been linked to Price, and Fox Sports’ Jon Morosi piggybacked on the speculation of Price moving to the NL West:

But the Dodgers could find themselves pursuing Lester. Given the Red Sox’s clearer intentions to sell, as well as Lester likely coming with a lower price tag, the Dodgers could very well abandon their pursuit of Price. 

A darkhorse team like the Seattle Mariners or Chicago Cubs could still swipe Price away. However, given how difficult it is for the Rays to contend on their shoestring budget, retaining a modicum of postseason hope might be the wisest route.

Papelbon’s Ultimatum

The Philadelphia Phillies appear on the verge of removing themselves from delusions of contending and selling off their veteran roster. Veteran closer Jonathan Papelbon would seem like a prime candidate to go, but according to the New York Post‘s Joel Sherman, the 33-year-old is also ready to exercise his no-trade clause:

The Phillies’ hurdles in trading Jonathan Papelbon only grow higher and higher.

And then there is this: Papelbon has a no-trade clause and has let the Phillies know he will not accept a trade to a place where he will be a setup man or in a shared closer situation. It is closing or nothing.

The Los Angeles Angels and Detroit Tigers loomed as two contenders in need of bullpen relief, but both have ameliorated those issues with Huston Street and Joakim Soria, respectively. Moreover, with four earned runs allowed in his past five appearances, Papelbon is not making himself particularly enticing to scouts:

The Dodgers (again) have been connected to Papelbon in the past according to Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles (h/t NJ.com’s Randy Miller), and the desire for bullpen help remains in Los Angeles. CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman reported that the Phillies would be willing to eat some of the $18 million remaining on Papelbon’s contract to facilitate a deal. However, given the Dodgers’ bottomless pockets, that is simply chump change that would do little to pique their interest.

If the Phillies are genuine about rebuilding, Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee and Chase Utley would probably return enough to jumpstart their uninspiring farm system. Unfortunately, all three have no-trade clauses, making significant change an unlikely proposition for the last-place Phillies.

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With just days to go until the July 31 trade deadline, the MLB rumors are rampant as teams fight to position themselves as championship contenders or sell off assets and play for next year. 

There are quite a few rumblings concerning big names on big-market franchises, and a potential blockbuster always adds a jolt to the excitement around the 100-game mark of the season. 

Let’s take a look at some of the potential moves that could go down before the playoff push.

Jon Lester Garnering Interest

The Boston Red Sox look like cellar sellers with a 47-56 record that has them firmly entrenched in last place in the AL East. According to ESPNBoston.com’s Gordon Edes, the team could have a potential trade partner for starting pitcher Jon Lester:

One major-league source said the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have been mentioned as a potential landing spot for Rays ace David Price, have had discussions with the Sox regarding Lester, but if so, those talks have not progressed very far to date.

The Dodgers were Boston’s trading partner for the blockbuster 2012 trade that sent Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and Josh Beckett west.

The Los Angeles Dodgers may not seem to need rotation help at first glance, with the likes of Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke, but the back end of the rotation has faltered a bit. 

Hyun-jin Ryu is susceptible to the occasional spotty start, while Dan Haren has gone completely off the rails. The 33-year-old righty is 1-4 with a 6.92 ERA in his last five starts, per Baseball-Reference.com. However, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly still has some faith in Haren.

He said, via MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick:

In Pittsburgh, their leading winner has eight wins and Danny’s got eight wins. Dan Haren has done a pretty good job. It’s like we cut him up because he’s not Kershaw, Greinke, Ryu. I take exception to people who want to throw him aside. At this pace, he’ll win 14 or 15 games.

This confidence may be the reason talks have not progressed very far, as Haren did pitch very well early in the season and could return to form.

It should also be noted that Lester had made it known he could very well boomerang right back to the Red Sox after a trade without any issue.

“Yeah, why not?” Lester said, via Edes. “I mean, this is what I know, this is what I love. Like I’ve said many times, this is where I want to be. If they trade me, I completely understand.”

That would certainly be quite the haul if the Red Sox got some spare parts or prospects and have their trade piece come right back to them.

Matt Kemp Might Not Be Going Anywhere

The Los Angeles Dodgers have a glut of players in their outfield. Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig, Carl Crawford and Scott Van Slyke are all healthy and capable players.

It makes sense to alleviate the pressure by engineering a deal for one of these players, but according to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, the Dodgers aren’t close to any significant deals and are wary of trading Kemp:

There have been rumblings about a potential Hollywood exit for Matt Kemp. The center fielder’s agent, Dave Stewart, recently made some fairly cryptic comments that have fueled talks of a Kemp exit.

“Eight years is a long time to be in one place,” Stewart told CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman. “Sometimes change is good. This might be the time to change.”

It will be tough to move Kemp and his gigantic contract, which is set to pay him approximately $21.5 million a year through 2019, per Spotrac.

Dan Szymborski believed trading for Kemp could doom another general manager in a column for ESPN Insider (subscription required):

At this point, with Kemp in the post-star phase of his career, the situation that most comes to mind is the infamous trade that saw the Los Angeles Angels send Mike Napoli to the Toronto Blue Jays for the privilege of drastically overpaying Vernon Wells.

Any general manager looking to acquire Kemp this summer better remember that trade, because bringing in Kemp for anything but a bargain-basement price is likely not going to lead to October trophies but rather November résumé updating.

The Dodgers should try to part ways with Kemp, Ethier or Crawford. All three are injury risks, and the future of the franchise, Joc Pederson, is stuck in Triple A with a ridiculous .327/.458/.594 slash line. Kemp’s trade value could be the best it will be for a long time; he hit .317 in June and .381 over the past week, per Baseball-Reference.com.

Pederson, a center fielder, and Puig have the potential to become one of the best young outfield pairings in the majors. The only thing stopping them is the pileup of players at the big club.

Miami Marlins Could be Buyers at the Trade Deadline

The Miami Marlins were always going to be a tough read at the trade deadline. They have excellent building blocks in the form of Giancarlo Stanton and Christian Yelich, not to mention the potential return of flamethrower Jose Fernandez next season.

They’re 49-53 and 7.5 games back of the Washington Nationals in the NL East, but there is an outside chance at a wild-card spot if they pick things up over the past few weeks. According to MLB.com beat writer Joe Frisaro, that might be exactly what the team has in mind for its trade-deadline strategy:

Five days before the deadline, the Marlins are hoping to become buyers. Winning four of five to open their road trip has raised optimism and hope they can make a playoff push. 

A starting pitcher is on their shopping list, but the urgency could subside if Brad Hand and Jacob Turner reach their potential in a hurry. Hand is doing so, coming off an impressive two straight wins of throwing at least seven innings.

This could be a huge gamble for the Marlins. If they try to buy their way into the playoff race, they would face a difficult task in beating out the top teams in the NL like the Milwaukee Brewers, San Francisco Giants and Nationals.

They do need help at the back end of the rotation. Pairing a solid pitcher with the likes of Henderson Alvarez and Tom Koehler could give them a playoff bump but just barely. Jacob Turner has struggled so far in the rotation, sporting a 6.03 ERA.

Frisaro also noted that Marlins are uninterested in dealing Stanton at this time. The team should definitely hold on to their star slugger, but being aggressive and buying players might not be the best move for them long term, especially when they do have stars to build around.

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Once you hit the final stretch before Major League Baseball’s July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, all of those rumors that have been bantered about for weeks start coming into focus. Not all of them will happen, but it’s much clearer who is and isn’t available. 

Unfortunately, as we have seen in recent years, the most exciting moves usually just end up being for middle relievers because teams are so reluctant to deal anything that might have future value for the chance to win now. 

There are also financial ramifications that have to be taken into consideration, which is why one thing you will hear a lot this time of year is teams kicking in money to make a deal happen. Not all clubs are willing to do that, which can be the difference between making a move and standing pat. 

Here are some of the deals being discussed that involve teams trading a big league asset and kicking in money to make them happen. 

Phillies Working to Move Papelbon

Even though the Philadelphia Phillies have been reluctant to move any of their aging homegrown players, general manager Ruben Amaro has no problem exploring the trade market for anyone who is an “outsider.”

Closer Jonathan Papelbon appears to be right at the top of the chopping block, as Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com has reported the Phillies are willing to chip in some cash to cover the money he is owed through 2015. 

The Phillies are telling teams they’d absorb a portion of the $18 million remaining on closer Jonathan Papelbon’s deal if they are interested in trading for the closer.

Papelbon’s market seems light, if existent, after both the Angels and Tigers filled back-end bullpen needs with Huston Street and Joakim Soria, respectively.

As Heyman mentioned, the market for closers has changed dramatically in the last week with arguably the two teams in most desperate need of back-end arms filling those holes.

It also doesn’t help that Papelbon’s 2015 salary ($13 million guaranteed) is markedly higher than what Huston Street ($7 million team option) and Joakim Soria ($7 million team option) are set to earn. Unless the Phillies want to kick in $6 million next season to even things out, it’s hard to envision a scenario where he gets dealt. 

Another problem the Phillies will have dealing Papelbon is his attitude. You love a late-inning reliever with swagger and bravado, but when you are telling reporters, like Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, that an entire organization needs to change, it’s not a way to endear yourself to other coaches and general mangers. 

Papelbon isn’t the dominant force he once was, with declining strikeout rates in each of the last three seasons, but he’s still effective at the end of games, as evidenced by his low ERA (1.91) and FIP totals (2.72) this season. 

Mets Ramping Up Effort to Move Colon

Even though teams subscribe to the theory that you can never have too much pitching, especially in light of the run on Tommy John surgeries in the last year, the New York Mets know there’s no point in retaining a pitcher over 40 when you aren’t competing for a playoff spot. 

Andy Martino of the New York Daily News reports the Mets are not above kicking in money to help cover Bartolo Colon’s salary through 2015 if they can find a trade partner for the right-hander. 

In fact, if the Mets move Colon before the deadline, that is how it will probably go down, according to several executives briefed on the process: Right near the end, after teams know what is happening with the other three starters.

We are also told, via sources, that the Mets are willing to eat approximately $2 million what remains on Colon’s two-year, $20 million contract ($11 million next season).

Under normal circumstances, $11 million would be a lot of money for a starting pitcher. However, when you consider what a league-average starter gets on the market, that actually seems like a bargain. 

If the Mets are throwing in $2 million, bringing an acquiring team’s bill down to $9 million next season, suddenly Colon looks a lot more attractive. There are limitations to his game as a 41-year-old who allows more than one hit per inning, but the ability to pepper the strike zone, not walk hitters (19 in 134 innings) and take the ball every fifth day is extremely valuable. 

With Tampa Bay surging in the American League East, it’s unlikely David Price gets dealt this summer. Cliff Lee just came off the disabled list, had a bad start against San Francisco on Monday and is guaranteed $25 million next year. 

Colon might be the best and safest trade option for teams in need of starting pitching help down the stretch. He comes with extra value because of an affordable contract for next season, so a deadline deal would make a lot of sense. 

Cleveland Wants Offense and Pitching

Unless Nick Swisher, Asdrubal Cabrera, Michael Bourn and Jason Kipnis have been playing possum the first three months of the season, Cleveland’s offense is going to be mediocre the rest of the year. 

If that’s the case, it puts more pressure on a starting rotation that ranks 26th in ERA. It’s no wonder, then, that Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports the team is looking to find a right-handed bat or starting pitcher:

After that, they’d like to add a No.1 starter between now and the end of August, but that seems improbable at the moment.

If they can’t do that, they’ve been talking to teams about acquiring an outfielder to help their sagging offense and protect them against left-handers. They’ve talked about acquiring starters and role players.

Terry Francona’s squad has a budding star in the rotation with Corey Kluber. The 28-year-old is tied for third among American League starters with 3.9 wins above replacement, per Baseball-Reference.com, and is sixth in strikeouts per nine innings (9.76) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.91). 

With Trevor Bauer developing nicely this season with a 3.93 ERA and 82 strikeouts in 84.2 innings, Cleveland has young, cost-controlled pitching talent to work with, so offense would be a better area to address. 

Unfortunately, due to injuries that have limited Kipnis and Bourn this year and Swisher looking like a relic already at the age of 33, there’s not a lot the front office can do to supplement the position players.

Cleveland’s payroll is already at $84 million, its highest mark since 2001, so there’s limited financial flexibility. The most likely scenario has general manager Chris Antonetti not making any moves until the offseason, when Cabrera and Justin Masterson, making a combined $19.7 million in 2014, come off the books.

Stats and contract information courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com. 

If you want to talk sports, hit me up on Twitter. 

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Divisional and wild-card races across baseball are extremely tight with the trade deadline approaching, so it comes as no surprise that there has been plenty of wheeling and dealing already.

Even with several top chips falling thus far, many more players could potentially be on the move prior to the July 31 non-waiver deadline. There aren’t a ton of teams truly out of contention, which means that much of the league consists of buyers.

Some teams have refrained from making deals thus far, but the pressure will mount as the deadline draws closer. With that in mind, here are the latest rumors regarding some of the hottest names currently on the trade market.

Kurt Suzuki

One of the most pleasant surprises in baseball this season has been the play of Minnesota Twins catcher Kurt Suzuki. With Joe Mauer moving over to first base, Suzuki was faced with the unenviable task of replacing him. To say that Suzuki has been satisfactory would be an understatement, as the 30-year-old backstop earned the first All-Star nod of his career.

He is currently hitting .309 with two home runs and 41 RBI while also doing a solid job behind the plate. Suzuki is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, though, and the Twins simply aren’t in contention. Because of that, he is definitely a candidate to be traded in the coming days.

According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, two potential playoff teams have emerged as the main suitors for Suzuki’s services:

That list may now be whittled down to one, however, as the St. Louis Cardinals have signed A.J. Pierzynski, per Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports:

Minnesota’s options may be limited, but the Baltimore Orioles make a lot of sense as a potential trading partner. With Matt Wieters out for the season due to Tommy John surgery, they are in desperate need of a regular starter.

Suzuki fits the bill and would make a lot of sense in a Baltimore lineup that boasts big boppers such as Nelson Cruz, Adam Jones and Chris Davis. The O’s also have a talent-rich farm system, so the Twins should be able to get a decent return for their unlikely All-Star.

Ryan Howard

It wasn’t too long ago that Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard was considered one of the best power hitters in the game. He clubbed 45 or more home runs every season from 2006 through 2009, but the former National League MVP resembles a totally different player these days.

Although Howard’s power production this season has been decent with 15 home runs and 60 RBI, he is hitting just .224 and is a liability in the field as well. The Phils are going nowhere fast, but they are saddled with Howard’s massive contract through at least the 2016 season.

In an effort to get Howard out of town and clear the way for younger players to emerge, though, the Phillies are willing to eat the bulk of the $70 million left on his contract, according to Heyman.

The 34-year-old lefty has been losing playing time to Darin Ruf lately, but he remains undeterred, per Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com.

You know, you try to stay positive. I know people are going to put a lot on either how much money I make, or what I’m doing on the field, this or that or whatever, but at the end of the day, you go out there and try, you try to do what you can. I’m really just trying to get back in the flow of things, trying new things, lowering my hands. Trying to get back into the flow of everything. It is what it is right now. You just try to continue to work. It’s all you can do.

It is difficult to say if any teams would be willing to take a chance on Howard, but an American League team might be the most likely suitor since Howard could be a designated hitter. It is nothing more than speculation, but the New York Yankees may be worth keeping an eye on when it comes to Howard.

First baseman Mark Teixeira has dealt with injuries all season long, and Howard could thrive with the short porch in right field. The Yanks have been very active already, and it could be worth taking a chance on a powerful guy like Howard.

Jorge De La Rosa

There appears to be a dearth of quality pitchers available on the market with the likes of Jeff Samardzija, Jason Hammel and others having already been traded, but Colorado Rockies righty Jorge De La Rosa is a name worth monitoring.

De La Rosa has had an up-and-down career in terms of production and injuries, but he is currently pitching better than he ever has. De La Rosa had his best Major League season last year, as he went 16-6 with a 3.49 ERA. He is currently 11-6 with a 4.19 ERA in 2014, and there is no question that he is trending upward.

According to ESPN’s Jim Bowden, the Yankees are very much interested in acquiring the services of the scorching hurler:

The Yanks rotation has been riddled by injuries to the likes of Ivan Nova, CC Sabathia, Michael Pineda and Masahiro Tanaka this season. They have managed to hold it together with Hiroki Kuroda, Brandon McCarthy and others stepping up, but New York clearly needs more help in that regard.

De La Rosa may not be a true ace, but he is an innings-eater who has managed to excel despite pitching in Colorado. A move to New York might be refreshing for the 33-year-old veteran, especially with the Yanks in the thick of the playoff race.

As long as New York doesn’t have to sell the farm in order to do it, acquiring De La Rosa makes all the sense in the world.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.

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