MLB Trade Rumors: All the Day's Hottest Rumors, Deadline News Around the League

The MLB non-waiver trade deadline is less than one week away and swirling reports insist that more player movement is inevitable.

I present the latest rumors from around the league.

Though some potential deals are stuck in the preliminary stages, several could be finalized on Wednesday.

Also, be prepared for surprises. Recent transactions involving Wandy Rodriguez and Ichiro Suzuki, for example, were completed quickly and quietly.

Verified news sources are following and reacting to these huge developing stories as July 31 nears.

Cole Hamels Staying in Philadelphia?

After slugging his first career home run—and pitching pretty darn well—Cole Hamels has become the only midseason priority for the Philadelphia Phillies. They hope to extend him over the next couple days before treating him as a trade chip, writes ESPN's Jayson Stark.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports believes that the two parties have just accomplished that.

Major-league sources informed him that a six-year deal worth upwards of $137.5 million is being completed. Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com clarified via Twitter that the total value is $144 million.

Those figures make it the second largest pitcher's contract in MLB history, behind only CC Sabathia's $161 million agreement from 2009.

Key tweet

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BREAKING: #Phillies, Hamels close on six-year extension for more than $137.5M. Story here: msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/phil…

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 25, 2012

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Hanley Ramirez Going to Hollywood?

More breaking news—Hanley Ramirez is the newest member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.

They and ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick agree that it is a four-player trade, including Han-Ram and reliever Randy Choate (from the Miami Marlins), and pitchers Nathan Eovaldi and Scott McGough (from the Dodgers).

This is jaw-dropping stuff!

Moving Omar Infante and Anibal Sanchez earlier in the week was a clear indication that the Fish were breaking up an underachieving team. Now, the former face of the organization is going west.

Ramirez will see action at shortstop and third base while Dee Gordon recovers from thumb surgery. Eventually, though, he'll be a fixture at the hot corner.

The three-time All-Star is owed roughly $36.5 million through the 2014 season.

Key tweet

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BLOCKBUSTER: Hanley Ramirez & Randy Choate to #Dodgers, Nathan Eovaldi & Scott McGough to #Marlins, sources tell @Ken_Rosenthal and me.

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 25, 2012

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Josh Johnson Could Be Next Victim of Fire Sale

Upon learning that Cole Hamels has been locked up, the Texas Rangers have shifted their focus to right-hander Josh Johnson (6-7, 4.14 ERA, 1.34 WHIP).

Craig Calcaterra of NBCSports.com connects the dots. With Texas scrambling to find able-bodied starting pitchers and the Miami Marlins reverting to their old ways, the teams appear to be ideal trade partners.

USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale has discovered that the Rangers would part with third-base prospect Mike Olt. He is projected to be a very productive player thanks to new-found patience at the plate.

Only hours after the relationship ended, the Marlins may have found the long-term replacement for Hanley Ramirez.

Key tweet

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The Rangers are talking to the Marlins about Josh Johnson dlvr.it/1vbnrM #mlb #hbt

— Hardball Talk (@HardballTalk) July 25, 2012

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Stephen Drew and Justin Upton Are Staying Put

The Arizona Diamondbacks sent infielder Ryan Roberts to the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night, but regulars Stephen Drew and Justin Upton won't be following him out the door.

At least, in the words of GM Kevin Towers, it's "highly unlikely" that either finish the summer in another uniform.

Towers is still committed to winning in 2012. He said that none of the offers he received for Drew or Upton were going to make the D-Backs a better team.

Drew could return to Arizona next year via mutual option, while Upton is under contract through 2015.

Key tweet

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#Dbacks Towers: No deal out there for SS Drew "that's going to make us better." With Roberts gone, certainly deal less likely before July 31

— Jack Magruder (@JackMagruder) July 24, 2012"

Ryan Dempster Has 'Pretty Good Idea' About Next Team

Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune hears that right-hander Ryan Dempster is weighing his options.

The Los Angeles Dodgers were early favorites to acquire the MLB ERA leader. Their reluctance to include Zach Lee—a 20-year-old pitching prospect—is holding up negotiations (per Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com).

The Chicago Cubs ace was rumored to be headed to the Atlanta Braves earlier in the week. That deal is still on the table, but Dempster is in no hurry to make a decision.

Ten-and-five rights allow him to veto any trade.

He told ESPNChicago.com's Doug Padilla that he is concentrating on Wednesday night's matchup vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates. It will be Dempster's final outing before the July 31 deadline.

Key tweet

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Demp: "I have a pretty good idea of where I want to go." Wouldn't discuss Braves/LA. Willing to take til deadline to decide.

— Paul Sullivan (@PWSullivan) July 24, 2012"

Los Angeles Angels, Tampa Bay Rays Discussing Deal

The Los Angeles Angels and Tampa Bay Rays are looking for pitching and catching, respectively.

ESPN's Tim Kurkjian said that a potential deal between the clubs involving James Shields, Peter Bourjos and Hank Conger has "fizzled out." The Angels wanted to throw in struggling starter Ervin Santana, and Tampa Bay wasn't eager to accept him.

The Rays will continue discussing because they see Bourjos, a 25-year-old center fielder, as their replacement for impending free agent B.J. Upton.

Key tweet

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Report: Angels, Rays discussing deal for Shields on.si.com/Pgo2Bq

— SI MLB (@si_mlb) July 25, 2012

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Bucs Want Another Bat

The Pittsburgh Pirates made a sizable splash on Tuesday when they added Wandy Rodriguez to their starting rotation.

However, the Bucs aren't yet set for a playoff run.

Jason A. Churchill (ESPN insider access required) has seen several reports that suggest they may deal for a corner outfielder to bolster their dangerous though inconsistent offense (four runs scored since July 22).

The NL wild-card contenders were linked to Carlos Quentin and Justin Upton before each were taken off the market.

Ben Nicholson-Smith of MLB Trade Rumors notes that the Philadelphia Phillies are shopping Hunter Pence (h/t Ken Rosenthal...again).

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Rosenthal On Marlins, Ichiro, Rangers, Pence bit.ly/OsP1pr #mlb

— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) July 24, 2012

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Untouchable MLB Prospects

The following coveted prospects will not be traded for MLB talent by their respective teams in the coming days:

Dylan Bundy and Manny Machado (Baltimore Orioles), Zach Lee (Los Angeles Dodgers), Taijuan Walker, Danny Hultzen, James Paxton and Nick Franklin (Seattle Mariners), and Jurickson Profar (Texas Rangers).

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