MLB Trade Rumors: Updating the Latest News Swirling Around the NL West

Fighting for playoff berths atop the NL West, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants are duking it out for playoff position down the stretch.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are stuck in the middle of the pack—not yet cellar dwellers but still behind Los Angeles and San Francisco.

At the bottom of the NL West, the Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres might be heading into rebuilding mode as 2012 has become a lost season.

With teams buying and selling before the trade deadline, the next few days could have a lot of action in the NL West.

Here is the latest trade news surrounding the division.

Arizona Diamondbacks

The last couple weeks have been busy for the D-Backs.

After dealing 3B Ryan Roberts to the Tampa Bay Rays and deciding to hold off on moving OF Justin Upton, Arizona might decide to go with what it has for the rest of the season.

In replacing Roberts, the Diamondbacks made a solid move in acquiring 3B Chris Johnson from the Houston Astros.

But don't entirely rule out a deadline deal for the D-Backs.

Acquiring another pitcher might be of interest to Arizona, especially if management thinks this team could make a serious postseason run.

Nevertheless, the D-Backs have not made much noise in the standings. They are locked into third place in the NL West and will need to get hot if they hope to pass up the Dodgers and the Giants.

Colorado Rockies

This close to the deadline it is unlikely that Colorado will deal OF Michael Cuddyer or reliever Matt Belisle.

Still, the Rockies have some assets that they can move including 1B Jason Giambi, pitcher Matt Reynolds and pitcher Rafael Betancourt.

Having just moved 2B Marco Scutaro to the Giants, the Rockies could make some other deals in the next couple days.

Betancourt has already gotten interest from the Rangers, who are looking to add to their bullpen in their race against the Angels in the AL West.

Rockies' management is hoping that this season is more of an aberration than it is a trend for the team. With so many injuries, this squad never quite found it's groove.

San Diego Padres

Stuck in last place in the NL West, the Padres are going nowhere fast.

After extending the contract of star closer Huston Street and inking OF Carlos Quentin to a three-year extension, the Padres could flip the two assets in a later date, or be in full rebuilding mode.

With no chance of making the postseason, San Diego could be looking to sell at the trade deadline.

3B Chase Headley has been rumored lately, and could be on his way out soon.

The Yankees have always gone the extra mile in acquiring more power for a deep postseason run. With Alex Rodriguez out with a broken hand, Headley could be the perfect replacement at 3B.

San Francisco Giants

Neck and neck with the Dodgers in the standings, the Giants are looking to add a piece to hold off their division rival.

The Giants made a nice move by acquiring Marco Scutaro from the Rockies, who should be a nice boost heading into August.

Still, San Francisco will need something more if it hopes to make a deep run in the postseason.

Perhaps management will go all in and make a move for Phillies' OF Hunter Pence, as the two teams have been in discussion lately.

What the Giants decide to do at the deadline will be crucial in dictating how the NL West shakes out.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers have made an effort to address their hitting woes by acquiring Hanley Ramirez from the Marlins last week.

While it is too early to determine if the Dodgers made out well on the trade, LA still needs another solid pitcher and more offensive firepower if it is serious about making a run at a championship.

Adding to their bullpen, the Dodgers also acquired reliever Brandon League late Monday night from the Seattle Mariners.

Looking into other moves, the Cubs and Dodgers have been discussing a deal for Ryan Dempster and OF Alfonso Soriano. Both players would seemingly satisfy some of the squad's critical needs.

Alternatively, the Dodgers have also been rumored to have interest in the Marlins' Josh Johnson and the Rays' James Shields, if the Dempster deal doesn't pan out.

If Josh Beckett is traded from the Red Sox, Los Angeles could also be a destination.

Offensively, LA would love to acquire a hitter of the caliber of the Phillies' Shane Victorino. Philadelphia might demand too much for their solid CF, making the Dodgers look elsewhere in an effort to fill their lineup with more good hitters.

Bringing in one more weapon could be just what it takes for the Dodgers to jump the Giants for good and bring home the NL West crown.