MLB Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz on Zack Greinke and Top Stars Available

One of the great things about the Major League Baseball trade deadline is how fast everything can turn. What we know right now will completely change later in the day and 100 more times between now and July 31. 

Unlike past years, there are a large contingent of big-name players, led by Zack Greinke, available for the right price at this year's deadline.

With so many teams in buy mode, it can make for a very interesting 96 hours between Friday and Tuesday, when the 3:00 p.m. EST deadline hits. 

To keep you up to date, here is the latest buzz surrounding the biggest stars available at the deadline. 

Zack Greinke, Milwaukee Brewers

At this point, it just seems to be a matter of when, not if, the Brewers will trade the 28-year-old Greinke. Comments made by Milwaukee general manager Doug Melvin to USA Today confirmed what everyone has suspected. 

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"I'm very fond of him,'' Melvin said. "He's one of my favorite players I ever had. Really, he's been like a son to me. I enjoyed talking baseball with him. He's very passionate. He follows the game. It's been a great experience having him for a year and a half.

"There are so many good things about him, it's going to be difficult when we trade him.''

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Danny Knobler of CBS Sports lists the Rangers, Angels, Braves and White Sox as "the teams showing the most interest in Greinke."

Of those four teams, the Rangers have the most obvious need for a starting pitcher and the prospects to get a deal done. The only question is whether or not they want to part with a player like third baseman Mike Olt for two months of Greinke. 

Ryan Dempster, Chicago Cubs

With teammate Matt Garza likely to be staying in Chicago because of an injury that will prevent him from pitching until after the July 31 deadline, all eyes will be on Ryan Dempster. 

Dempster holds all the cards since he has 10-5 trade rights, meaning he has to approve any deal, so the Cubs are in a bind. 

According to Danny Knobler of CBS Sports, the Cubs could sweeten—if that's what you want to call it—their deal to the Dodgers by adding a bat to go along with Dempster. 

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The Dodgers and Cubs, stalled on what the Dodgers would give up in a trade for Ryan Dempster, have had some discussions on expanding the deal to also include Alfonso Soriano or Bryan LaHair, sources say.

The inclusion of Soriano or LaHair is still viewed as a longshot, perhaps even a "massive longshot," as one person briefed on the discussions described it.

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I know the Dodgers have major lineup problems right now, but Soriano would not be a good fit in the spacious outfield at Chavez Ravine. LaHair has fallen off a cliff since his red-hot start in April, with his average falling to .253 in May and .231 in June and July. 

Dempster appears to have eyes for Los Angeles, so the Cubs' options are limited. That said, they have plenty of time to find a deal that works for both sides. 

Francisco Liriano, Minnesota Twins

One of the more attractive arms on the market is Liriano. He has struggled mightily this season, though he has shown small glimpses where he looks like he is coming out of it. Since he is a free agent after this season, the Twins really have no incentive to keep him, other than they desperately need arms. 

Jayson Stark of ESPN reports that a Liriano deal is all but guaranteed before the July 31 trade deadline. 

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An executive of one team that has been in touch with the Twins estimates the chances they trade Liriano before the deadline at "nearly 100 percent," but said that after Liriano's ugly start Monday, the Twins are likely to wait until he pitches again this weekend in the hope he restores some of the value he kicked away in that start.

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I am not sure just how much Liriano can increase his value based on one start, but it might not hurt the Twins to test that strategy. 

Given all the problems the Twins have with pitching, both with the big league club and in their system, they need to look for any kind of arm available. Liriano isn't going to get them a big package, but he might bring a C-level prospect in return. 

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