MLB Trade Rumors: Latest on Hunter Pence, Jason Giambi and Jeremy Guthrie

According to sources at ESPN and FOX Sports, there have been a flood of trade rumors coming in as Major League Baseball closes in on its trade deadline. Lately, it's been surrounding Hunter Pence, Jason Giambi and Jeremy Guthrie.

As the season continues, potential playoff contenders become clearer, while those who will have to wait until next season may be more willing to let go of their talent.

Teams definitively in last place, like the Houston Astros and Baltimore Orioles, are amongst the organizations more willing to showcase their talent in order to relieve financial burdens and prepare for the following year.

Let's take a look at the latest in trade talks and rumors.

Jason Giambi

It has been a rather surprising season from the 16 year veteran Jason Giambi. Despite a disappointing few seasons in Oakland and Colorado, following his stint with the New York Yankees, Giambi is currently batting .266 with 10 home runs and 23 RBI.

More impressively, he's sporting a .364 OBP and .639 SLG.

According to Ken Rosenthal at FOXSports.com, the Colorado Rockies are "drawing interest in Giambi. His preference is to stay. Team will consult him before making any move."

Jason A. Churchill of ESPN suggests that "Giambi's role is certain to be as a DH and pinch hitter, so an AL club is more likely to see value in him, including the New York Yankees, who have issues at DH."

Although Giambi is saying he'd like to stay in Colorado, he was rather upset upon departing from New York and seemed to enjoy his stay with the team. Perhaps a return is possible.

Jeremy Guthrie

Despite a poor 4-13 record this season, Jeremy Guthrie has put together a decent 4.35 ERA and 1.34 WHIP, which, apparently, has been enough to start garnering the attention of several teams around Major League Baseball.

The fact that he pitches in the American League East for the Baltimore Orioles isn't likely to help his numbers either.

According to Jon Morosi over at FOXSports.com, the Detroit Tigers "had a scout watching Jeremy Guthrie in Baltimore earlier this week. So the interest there is ongoing."

Because the Orioles are looking to build for the future, if they dealt Guthrie, they'll likely be looking for young pitching in return, although the Texas Rangers, St. Louis Cardinals, Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox all seem to be potential fits, according to Jason A. Chuchill of ESPN.

The Orioles are nearly 20 games back at this point in the season, so letting go of Guthrie, whose contract ends after this season, seems likely.

Hunter Pence

The Houston Astros have the honor of being the only team in baseball currently in sixth place in their division. Although the National League Central isn't overwhelmingly strong, the Astros are still nearly 20 games back and have the worst record in the league.

Therefore, it would make sense to deal Hunter Pence, who is having a fantastic year thus far. Pence is currently batting .316 with 11 homers, 61 RBI, a .361 OBP and .484 SLG.

According to Doug Mittler of ESPN, the most likely candidates to look for additional batting are the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves.

Buster Olney of ESPN reports that "The Phillies would prefer to structure any of their Hunter Pence offers around Vance Worley."

Worley, a 23 year old right-handed pitching prospect has compiled an impressive 7-2 record with a 1.91 ERA in 17 games with the Philadelphia Phillies in the last two seasons.