MLB Trade Rumors

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. 

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.

Don't look away now. The MLB player-swapping season is just days away from ending (except for the occasional waiver-wire deal), and every team is exploring potential angles for success.

There is no shortage of trade talk with the July 31 deadline fast approaching. Let's take a look at the latest rumors on tap in the majors. 

Cardinals Showing Interest in Peavy

The July 31 MLB trade deadline is fast approaching, and each franchise currently finds itself in one of two categories: It's either a buyer or a seller. While contenders are looking to acquire top-tier talent in an effort to make a push for the playoffs, gutter-dwellers are aiming to offload players and their corresponding lucrative contracts.

The 2014 MLB trade deadline is just about a week away, so a lot of rumors will be swirling around. It's tough to figure out what is true and what is just smoke. It's still early, but the Cincinnati Reds have already been linked to a few players. 

Cincinnati doesn't have the payroll flexibility to make a major move unless it trades away a key player. At this point, the Reds are still in contention, so don't expect them to get rid of any important pieces.

The New York Yankees have a bit of a problem.

So do the rest of the teams on the market, but the Yankees are perhaps the most notable thanks to the club's ability to remain relevant in the face of adversity.

As is the case with most of the teams looking to upgrade on the mound through free agency in the hopes of chasing a World Series, the Yankees don't have a ton of cost-effective options—especially with Cliff Lee's recent return to the mound being nothing short of a disaster.

That sound of button-mashing you hear from every direction is 30 Major League Baseball general managers making phone calls to see if they will be able to consummate a deal that will put their team on the path to a World Series. 

Trade deadline season is fascinating to watch because everyone behind the scenes, much like fans who have to hear the rampant speculation, are either going to be ecstatic or miserable based on what happens. 

With a mere nine days remaining until the MLB trade deadline on July 31, rumors are swirling around multiple contenders and pretenders around the league.

A few surprise teams like the Tampa Bay Rays and Texas Rangers are well outside of the mix and looking to move veteran players. Then there are franchises looking to make the postseason this year hoping to add those valuable assets.

Nine days until the July 31 MLB non-waiver trade deadline.

That means that Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. has approximately 216 hours to decide if he wants to cash in several large trade chips. He could wait until after July 31, of course, but then he risks limiting his leverage by a considerable margin.

That infamous time of year has rolled around. The MLB trade deadline is fast approaching, and we should see plenty of familiar faces in new places in short order.

While some teams are aiming to bolster their rosters in an effort to make pushes for the postseason, others are looking to the future and will trade current assets with expensive contracts.