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There is no shortage of big names on the block as we head toward the 2016 MLB trade deadline on Aug. 1.

As teams prepare for their playoff pushes, they want impact players who can make a difference for the rest of the regular season and beyond. Of course, those stars aren't going to come cheap. The contending squads will have to give up noteworthy talent in return, which this year also includes high-profile players.

Trade season is upon us, and while the Boston Red Sox have been the most aggressive team thus far, swinging deals for a starting pitcher (Drew Pomeranz) and reliever (Brad Ziegler) in recent weeks, the rest of baseball is sure to catch up in no time.

After all, the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline will be here before you know it. Considering how quickly the All-Star break seemed to arrive, the 11 shopping days that teams have left will pass in the blink of an eye.

That doesn't leave much time to answer some burning questions.

They sit across the negotiating table as adversaries, but Rob Manfred and Tony Clark are also partners.

As the commissioner of Major League Baseball and the head of its players union, respectively, Manfred and Clark have significant differences, but also common goals. There's little they agree on more than the need to bring the game to younger audiences, to increase baseball's appeal to the next generation.

The Los Angeles Dodgers' 2016 season is riding on Clayton Kershaw's back.

Literally.

Boston Red Sox first baseman Hanley Ramirez sported a mere eight home runs in 2016 coming into Wednesday's game at Fenway Park against the San Francisco Giants, but he looked like a 50-homer presence in the lineup during his team's 11-7 victory.

Texas Rangers outfielder Shin-Soo Choo is heading to the 15-day disabled list with a back injury, per Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.  

Continue for updates.

Prince Fielder's dreadful 2016 season has taken another bad turn, with the Texas Rangers placing the former All-Star on the disabled list on Wednesday because of neck problems. 

Continue for updates. 

The Chicago Cubs have addressed their need for help in the bullpen by acquiring left-hander Mike Montgomery from the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday. 

With Major League Baseball's trade deadline looming on August 1, there are some big names who could be on the trading block, including Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy.    

On Wednesday, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney that the Brewers and Cleveland Indians are "in talks" for the two-time All-Star. 

Continue for updates.

July means sellers reign supreme in Major League Baseball. 

That rings true at least from an attention standpoint, as teams that are out of contention are ready to turn an eye to the future and make a splash. It's not the most difficult thing to pull off, either, not with so many contenders willing to take the bait each year.