MLB Trade Rumors: Latest Info on Available Stars from Non-Contenders

Chicago baseball is receiving tons of attention these days, but it's not because the Chicago Cubs or Chicago White Sox are contending. Both clubs are below .500, but both have a good deal of assets on their major league roster that contenders are eyeing for the stretch run.

The Cubs have already dealt ace Matt Garza to the Texas Rangers, but they probably aren't done. ESPN's Bruce Levine reports outfielder Nate Schierholtz is drawing interest from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Schierholtz's five-RBI performance against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday likely opened the eyes of Pirates management even more. He could be the next Cub to leave the north side.  

Things aren't much different on the other side of town.

The White Sox haven't officially begun their fire sale, but the interest in their players is there.  Levine also mentions White Sox outfielder Alex Rios as a possibility for the Pirates. ESPN's Jayson Stark tweeted this about White Sox starter Jake Peavy's upcoming start:

As teams scramble for dependable arms down the stretch, a player like Peavy is extremely attractive. Peavy is 8-4 with a 4.28 ERA this season and he's 33-29 over the last four seasons.

He's not a world beater, but for teams like the Braves that have suffered recent injuries to their starting rotation, Peavy looks like a potential godsend.

The Cubs and Sox are at the center of the action, but there are rumblings elsewhere. Here's a look at a few other players who could be changing uniforms.

Boston Red Sox Chasing Arms

The Red Sox are apparently in the market for more starting pitching. MLB Network's Peter Gammons tweets that the Red Sox are among the teams interested in Peavy, but there is also interest in the Milwaukee Brewers's Yovani Gallardo and the San Diego Padres' Edinson Volquez.

Of the three, Peavy has been the most effective. Volquez's ERA is a healthy 5.73 and Gallardo's is 4.88, but with the Red Sox offense and the motivation of pitching in the postseason, it could bring out the best in any of the three.

Rangers Looking For an Outfield Bat

Per Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Texas Rangers covet Miami Marlins stud Giancarlo Stanton, but the Marlins aren't giving him up. According to sources close to Rosenthal, the Rangers are looking at Stanton's teammate Justin Ruggiano and Padres outfielder Chris Denorfia.

Ruggiano has shown some power potential. He's blasted 12 home runs, but has hit for a horrible average (.201) like every other Marlins player. Denorfia is a bit more steady. He's hit .264 with seven homers and 29 RBI.

At this point, it is unclear whether either of them would represent a major improvement or be worth parting with any minor league talent—even the lowly-regarded type.

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