MLB Trade Rumors: Six Things to Look Forward to Before July 31st

The trade deadline is a little over a week and a half away and, surprisingly, there hasn't been a whole lot of action over the past month.

The only big move that has taken place was the Texas Rangers landing left-hander Cliff Lee. Next to that, it seems teams are holding their cards close to their vests and not letting anyone else know what they're about to do.

The other problem may be the expensive price tag on a lot of players that could be had on the trade market. Teams are unlikely to pay a hefty price for players they may only have for a few months.

We may not see a whole lot of movement from anyone until late next week where the rumors will be flying, but the possibility of the big blockbuster deals may not come to pass this time around.

So, let's take a look at what we can look forward to in the next week and a half leading up to Major League Baseball's trade deadline on Saturday, July 31st.

White Sox, Nationals Haggle Over Adam Dunn

The White Sox, and general manager Ken Williams, have been going hard after Adam Dunn regardless of the fact that Dunn doesn't want to be a full-time DH.

Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times commented earlier today that Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo was acting like Dunn is Phillies' first baseman Ryan Howard as far as what he wants in return.

Williams was quoted in Cowley's article saying, "If I'm being honest and completely transparent right now of the price that is being asked for some of the players that we've inquired about, for us, it's more detrimental to our present and our future than we'd like."

While the Sox want Dunn, Rizzo seems to be getting in his own way. Over the next week and a half, I expect Rizzo to come down on his price and Dunn will be headed to Chicago.

More Interest in Jake Westbrook Than Roy Oswalt

During this past Sunday's loss to the Pirates, Houston Astros' right-hander Roy Oswalt suffered what the team called a left ankle contusion and he was pulled in the fourth inning of that game.

While Oswalt fully expects to make his next start, he will no longer be the hottest pitcher on the rumor sheets.

That name will probably end up being Indians' right-hander Jake Westbrook. FoxSports' Ken Rosenthal had an article out today that talked about the fact that Westbrook, if traded, will be owed $6 million next season by the acquiring team.

There are more than a few teams that are interested in adding him and will get better if they do so. However, the Indians haven't exactly made him available and have made it known that they have no problem hanging on to him through next season.

A few teams that will be hot and heavy on his heels will be the New York Mets and San Diego Padres. I would have thrown the Yankees in but I don't see them going after another starter.

Teams Will Be Hot on the Heels of David DeJesus

DeJesus seems to be a hot name on the trade market right now and there are plenty of teams that will be lined up to acquire him.

One team that's said to be very much interested in him is the San Diego Padres, who could use his offensive production in the lineup and glove in the outfield.

Other teams that will try to outbid the Padres are the San Francisco Giants as well as the Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox, who are also said to be interested.

As far as DeJesus' price tag, Yahoo! Sports' Jeff Passan said, "a major league-ready prospect, along with at least one midlevel prospect or a pair of lower-level players." Though Dan Hayes of the North County Times, via Twitter, says the Royals "want a Major League-ready pitcher and a top prospect."

New York Mets Will Try to Unload Oliver Perez

The New York Mets would desperately love to cut ties with left-hander Oliver Perez and might still try to unload him before next Saturday's trade deadline.

According to ESPN New York's Adam Rubin, the Mets apparently called the Kansas City Royals to see if they were interested in swapping Perez for Gil Meche. Both are owed $12 million, so the contracts would have canceled themselves out.

The Royals were not interested in the deal, so Perez remains in New York. I don't see a team willing to take on his kind of remaining salary unless the Mets offer to take on most of it.

Prince Fielder Could End Up in Yankee Pinstripes

The New York Yankees are after a few different players, one of which could be Milwaukee Brewers' first baseman Prince Fielder.

Though the Bronx Bombers could also seriously try to run down Adam Dunn, I think they will lose out to the White Sox and will turn their attention to Fielder. What I think the Yankees may be unwilling to do is sign him to a contract that is going to be worth more than $100 million.

His agent, Scott Boras, has already made it known that he will seek Mark Teixeira type money and already has the contract of Phillies' first baseman Ryan Howard to use as precedent.

Fielder ending up in New York will depend on Brian Cashman's willingness to deal away significant prospects to get the deal done.

Interest Will Cool Over Corey Hart

Thanks to Milwaukee's high asking price, teams will turn their attention to the likes of Florida's Cody Ross and Kansas City's David DeJesus.

Unless Milwaukee comes down on its price tag, it's going to be hanging onto Hart unless there's a team that loses out on both Ross and DeJesus. If that happens, I could see a team making a deal for him, but not what Milwaukee is asking.