MLB Trade Deadline: Cole Hamels and 5 Hottest Trade Targets

As the trade deadline approaches, teams will decide if they want to buy or sell as they feel out their current team and look toward the future. 

Ball clubs on the fence for playoff contention could be willing to dump some of their farm system in order to acquire a big-time player to push them over the top. 

Considering this, quite a few big-name players have been rumored to be shopped by their underachieving squads so far this season.

Let's take a look at the five hottest trade targets thus far.  

Zack Greinke, SP (Brewers)

With the Milwaukee Brewers struggling to keep pace in the NL Central, don't be surprised if they decide to dump some of their high-profile, expensive players, including Zack Greinke. 

After seven years with the lowly Royals, Greinke was sent to the Brewers in 2011 to try to push a good team over the top. 

While the ball club hasn't lived up to expectations, Greinke has done well over the past two seasons on the bump. 

Considered an All-Star snub this year, the righty is 9-2 with a 3.08 ERA and 106 strikeouts in 17 starts. 

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that the Baltimore Orioles are considered serious contenders to pry Greinke away from Milwaukee.

With the starting pitching concerns and the craving to stay in contention in the AL East, Baltimore would be a good fit for Greinke, especially since the hurler's past anxiety problems push him to small-market franchises.

Matt Garza, SP (Cubs)

The Cubs' season can't get any worse in the second half of the year, currently sitting as MLB's worst team (30-49). 

Considering how bad their year is going, the Cubs and front office man Theo Epstein are expected to be shopping a few players in order to bring in young, minor-league talent. 

One of these players is fireballer Matt Garza. 

While he owns a pedestrian 4.01 ERA, the hard-throwing righty is still a solid option on the hill and would provide an upgrade to many teams' starting rotations. 

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that the Red Sox are interested in acquiring Garza in hopes of securing their place in playoff contention.

Not only would Garza bolster a struggling rotation in Boston, but the pitcher also spent three years pitching for AL East-rival Tampa Bay Rays—experience that could prove valuable to the Sox later in the season.  

Chase Headley, 3B (Padres)

Without a doubt, up-and-coming infielder Chase Headley would produce the most value of any Padre on the trade market. 

Headley has been hitting the ball well all season for a .272 batting average, eight homers and 37 RBI. 

He also can play a reliable third base—something that's hard to come by, especially at the trade deadline. 

However, would San Diego deal Headley without knowing the future of its slugging outfielder Carlos Quentin?

Even though Headley would receive multiple looks on the trading block, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports suggests that the third baseman could be dealt in the offseason. 

With Headley under club control until 2014, the Padres are in no hurry to dump him as he could garner more value in the offseason if he improves on an already good 2012 campaign. 

Edwin Encarnacion, DH/3B (Blue Jays)

According to CBSSports baseball insider Jon Heyman, don't be surprised if Edwin Encarnacion becomes an available trade target if the Blue Jays begin to taper off. 

If the team is still in contention for a playoff spot and/or the AL East crown, then by no means will Toronto part with its second-best hitter this year.

However, if the Blue Jays begin to lose, they would be smart to swap Encarnacion for a group of prospects while his stock is at its highest. 

In 77 games, Encarnacion has been tearing the cover off the ball, smacking 22 homers, 55 RBI and a .292 batting average. 

A major All-Star snub, Encarnacion would be a hot commodity on the trading block this season—if he gets there. 

Cole Hamels, SP (Phillies)

After failing to reach a new deal this past offseason, there have been speculation and rumblings about the possibility of Cole Hamels leaving the Phillies since the season started. 

While most fans and pundits believed a move could be made in coming offseason through free agency, Phillies fans might not have the luxury of watching one of their aces for another half season. 

News broke a few days ago that the Phillies are gauging interest around the league for their southpaw Cy Young contender.

According to ESPN's Buster Olney, the Phils are looking for outfield and third base help in a deal that would have to include four or five upper echelon prospects.

However, just because the Phillies are figuring out a market for Hamels, it's not a done deal that they're going to trade their best pitcher of 2012. 

Olney also reported via Twitter that the Phillies would try one more time to re-sign Hamels before a trade would ever happen. 

If Hamels is dealt, it would easily be the blockbuster move of the trade deadline and could alter the shape of the playoff picture and the Phillies' direction.