MLB Trade Deadline: Last-Minute Deals That Could Make All the Difference

Most of the biggest names expected to be dealt before the MLB trade deadline have been moved. So who’s left that can make a major impact on the playoff race? Mostly just San Diego Padres.

With their flurry of offseason trades seemingly not working the way they’d hoped, the Padres and general manager A.J. Preller could make another series of moves leading up to the deadline to help other contenders. Preller showed a penchant for working fast this offseason and will need to do the same on Friday.

Justin Upton and Craig Kimbrel certainly have the most potential to turn a contender into a serious contender.

Let’s break down the latest Twitter buzz leading up to Friday’s 4 p.m. ET trade deadline.

Justin Upton

Upton is probably the biggest bat left on the market and has been linked to teams such as the New York Mets and Baltimore Orioles, per Fox Sports' Jon Morosi:

The Orioles are still trying to fill the power void left by Nelson Cruz.

The Chicago White Sox's recent seven-game win streak has turned them from possible sellers of Jeff Samardzija to potential buyers. CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman reported that they could be in on Upton as well:

The Mets were very near a deal—really, the closest a team can actually come to making a deal without actually making it—to acquire Carlos Gomez from the Milwaukee Brewers. New York has possibly the best system of prospects of any team in the market for Upton, but will it pay a premium for a rental? 

Heyman reports, no.

“The Mets walked away (from discussions with the Padres) after a suggestion that included a big prospect or two and no payment toward Upton's $14.5 million salary,” Heyman wrote.

The Mets appear to have moved on to other outfielders, such as the Cincinnati Reds’ Jay Bruce, per ESPN's Buster Olney:

One thing is for certain: The Mets need some kind of offensive help.

The Mets have also been seen as a potential destination for the Colorado Rockies’ Carlos Gonzalez. On the surface, it would be a good fit for both sides, as the Rockies likely want pitching and nobody has more than New York.

For Upton’s part, he’s said as recently as the middle of the month that he prefers to stay in San Diego. Even before the season began, Upton was willing to ink a long-term deal to remain with the Padres.

Here’s what he told ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick in mid-July: “I haven’t given up on the team. I really like the guys, and I really like the clubhouse.”

Craig Kimbrel

For the most part, talk about Kimbrel has been more quiet than with other stars. Most notably, the Yankees have shown interest, which would give them a super-bullpen, but they're reluctant to include top prospects.

Heyman reported that the Yankees balked on a potential Kimbrel deal after the Padres mentioned one of New York’s “four untouchable prospects.”

“The Yankees, however, have been steadfast in their resolve not to surrender any of their top four prospects: [Jorge] Mateo plus pitcher Luis Severino, outfielder Aaron Judge and first baseman Greg Bird,” Heyman wrote.

More recent developments on Kimbrel have the Houston Astros, who reportedly acquired Gomez and Mike Fiers from the Brewers, as a potential landing spot for Kimbrel. The Astros have arguably done the most to make a postseason push this deadline, as they sit two games up on the Los Angeles Angels in the AL West.

Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reported that the Padres could be in the market for a center fielder, and with the recent addition of Gomez, Houston could oblige:

Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle reported that nothing is imminent between the Padres and Astros:

"

Sources say Astros and Padres are talking. Says one: “We’re not close to anything.”

— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) July 31, 2015"

Other Padres

The Padres have also reportedly fielded offers on pitchers Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross in deals.

The Padres’ offseason moves happened fast, and if they’re going to be sellers, they’ll need to work even faster as the deadline looms. As recently as Wednesday, ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark reported that San Diego would be “super-active” at the deadline:

The Cubs have been in pursuit of pitching and have arguably the most farm-system depth available. According to Heyman, the Padres covet Javier Baez.

"The Padres, looking for shortstop, infielders, lefty bats and young controllable pieces while soliciting offers for just about anyone, have talked to the (Cubs) about slugging prospect Javier Baez," he wrote. "The Cubs have so many excellent prospects that Baez could be an odd man out for them."

The Cubs seemingly have bigger needs, however, as they’ve scuffled offensively. Chicago ranks 23rd in runs, 27th in slugging percentage and 29th in average.

Be sure to follow Bleacher Report’s MLB Trade Deadline Tracker for all the latest news leading up to 4 p.m. ET and beyond.

All stats and info courtesy of ESPN.com unless otherwise noted.

Follow Aaron Brand on Twitter @AaronBrand47.