MLB Trade Rumors: All the Latest Whispers, News and Speculation

It's hard to believe the MLB season is almost two months old.

With that, the rumors have begun as contenders start to look for those missing pieces. A few teams are already out of the races and will look to get some value in trades that could help in the next few years.

Here's a look at the latest whispers, news and speculation surrounding teams and players.

Soriano More Open to Trade

Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports Chicago Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano may be more open to a trade this year, after rejecting a trade to the San Francisco Giants last year.

Soriano said:

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Yeah...But it depends on them. It depends what the team wants. A chance to win, that's the most important thing. But it depends on the front office. It's not on me.

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Soriano is still due $18 million next year, so whatever team takes him on would have to be willing to pay him.

For a player that has yet to win a World Series, Soriano realizes he's getting toward the end of his career. Winning a ring has to be on his mind more than money.

As if that's not enough for the Cubs, players like Matt Garza, Scott Feldman, David DeJesus and Carlos Marmol could also be headed out of town, according to another post by Wittenmyer (subscription required).

Braves Need Bullpen Help

The Atlanta Braves are in a lot of trouble with season-ending surgeries to relievers Eric O'Flaherty and Jonny Venters.

ESPN's Buster Olney reports (subscription required) that with the addition of the extra wild card, teams aren't relegated to selling assets this early. That leaves Atlanta seeking help within the organization, for now.

A move for relief help will be made, but it's still too early, according to Mark Bradley of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (subscription required).

The Braves will likely make a move, but until teams start to throw up a white flag, they'll have to look for help internally.

Orioles Looking for Ace

The Baltimore Orioles are in need of help in the rotation.

According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Orioles could go either direction in looking for help.

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Among the most talented pitchers who are free-agents-to-be, the Orioles are said to have little if any interest in Matt Garza, who's still working his way back from injury. There are several mid-rotation types (i.e. Ricky Nolasco, Edinson Volquez, Jason Vargas) who could possibly work for them, but before they'd rush into any second-tier choices, they might look at their in-house candidates.

We've got to find some decent starting pitching,' general manager Dan Duquette said by phone. If you're going to be in the hunt, you're going to need better-than-average starters.'

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Kevin Gausman made his big-league debut on Thursday, giving the Orioles a little relief.

However, don't be surprised to see the Orioles make a move prior to the deadline.

Andre Ethier Will Be Hard to Move

Regardless of any team's desire to acquire Andre Ethier, his salary will be a major sticking point for many teams.

According to ESPN's Buster Olney (subscription required), the Los Angeles Dodgers have multiple in-house options to replace him, but Ethier's contract is getting in the way.

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But the Dodgers probably need to commit to some sort of solution with the left-handed-hitting Ethier before they call up one of those young players, and rival officials think it’ll be incredibly difficult for them to trade Ethier unless they are willing to swallow a whole lot of money.

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As Olney points out, Ethier is owed $15.5 million in 2014, $18 million in 2015 and 2016, and $17.5 million in 2017. Also don't forget a $17.5 million vesting option for 2018.

Olney does, however, believe the New York Mets would be a good destination for Ethier, considering their need of good players in the outfield. However, it would also hinge on his contract.

If Ethier is to be moved, the Dodgers will have to eat some of that contract. Otherwise, they'll be stuck with him for at least the next few years.

Cliff Lee Possibly Moving?

As the Philadelphia Phillies continue to struggle, the topic of Cliff Lee on the trading block has reemerged.

According to Philly.com, trading Lee could signal the Phillies are beginning the rebuilding process.

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If the Phillies can't turn this season around, Ruben Amaro might have to face the prospect of dealing Lee and doing what he didn't have the guts to do in the offseason—starting the rebuilding process.

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Rob Kelley of bostonsuperblog.com believes the Orioles and Los Angeles Angels would be perfect suitors for Lee.

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They (Angels) are in fourth place in their own division, currently eight games below .500 and 10.5 games out of first. Needless to say, things are not going as planned, and part of the problem is the team’s starting pitching...

...the Orioles are still weak on the mound. While calling up Kevin Gausman for tonight’s game could give Baltimore a boost, the team still needs to upgrade its rotation in order to keep up with the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays. Trading for Lee would immediately place the Orioles right in the thick of things in terms of postseason contenders.

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Trading Lee is likely still at least a month away, the need is there for both teams as both have the prospects to make the Phillies interested.

Texas Looking at Jose Bautista

According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, it's still early, but the Texas Rangers are interested in Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista.

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File this under “way too early” because who knows if the Jays will get back in the race. But teams like Texas are already looking at a potential power bat for the second half of the season, and Bautista and fellow Toronto basher Edwin Encarnacion certainly fit the mold. The Jays certainly don’t want to give up on what they started, but at some point, do they try to get the most for these guys?

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As Cafardo said, it's still too early, but what a major coup this would be for the Rangers.

The fact that the Rangers have the pieces in the minors to make such a deal doesn't make this seem as far fetched as one might believe.