MLB Trade Rumors: Biggest Pieces on Market and Where They're Heading

As we come down to the final few days leading up to the July 31st MLB trade deadline, some big names expecting to be moved still reside on cellar-dwellers. Let's take a look at the latest buzz on what the destinations for these trade chips might be.

Jake Peavy 

While Peavy has quite the impressive injury history (a fractured rib being the latest), he is arguably the hottest commodity right now:

Oh, and add one more to the list:

Initially, the BoSox and Cards seemed to be the frontrunners for the righty, but the Braves are now in hot pursuit of him as well.

The crippling blow to Tim Hudson along with Paul Maholm's DL trip have left Atlanta at an unforeseen loss for starters. Brandon Beachy is coming back, but with the possible impending switch to the bullpen for Kris Medlen, the Braves need another rotation piece.

According to Heyman, it's Boston that needs to jump on Peavy, considering the uncertainty of Clay Buchholz's future. They certainly have the means to afford Peavy, and their list of prospects—a few of them, such as Xander Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley, being majors-ready—is vast. 

Alex Rios

Yes, yet another player from Chicago who will be on the move.

Currently, it seems like Texas is the best option:

The Rangers are in need of a right-handed bat, and considering the departure of Mike Olt and the suspicion around Nelson Cruz and Biogenesis, they may soon be in need for an outfielder as well.

Even though the AL Central should really be a lockup for the Tigers, they haven't been as dominant as expected. Kansas City is below .500 and seven games back, but CBS Sports' Danny Knobler writes that they may still try to acquire the right fielder:

But there's no point to this. The Royals aren't strong enough to make a playoff push, even with Detroit faltering here and there. And between the powerhouse that is the Al East and the Rangers-Athletics race, a Wild Card spot just isn't happening either.

Ervin Santana

While it's unclear what Kansas City's course of action is going to be for the remainder of the 2013 season, Santana, like Peavy, is drawing heavy interest from a number of teams. So much so that this happened:

Lately, Santana has been impressing, so the asking price will likely be high:

In addition to looking at Peavy, the Braves have also been scouting Santana, according to Scooby Axson of Sports Illustrated. Considering how much other teams are swarming over Peavy, this could be a more reasonable route to take.

The Braves have some talent in their farm system—notably Cody Martin, a guy who can put on both a starter and reliever hat—who could be inviting for a middling but improving franchise like Kansas City.