MLB Trade Rumors: Latest on Alex Rios, Cliff Lee and More

With the MLB trade deadline quickly approaching, rumors are only going to continue to run rampant. 

Some may not enjoy the endless stream of speculation, conjecture and "sources," but they are an inevitability during this time of the year. 

Many teams see themselves as one piece away from being legitimate World Series contenders, while others have already given up on the season and are ready to further build for the future. 

Then there are the teams that are stuck somewhere in between buying and selling and are thus completely unpredictable. 

As the rumors heat up, let's take a look at the biggest names currently being discussed in potential deadline deals. 

Alex Rios to the Pirates?

According to CSN Chicago's David Kaplan, we may not be speculating on this one for much longer, as Alex Rios to the Pittsburgh Pirates is reportedly very close to being done:

It makes sense. 

At 40-63, the Chicago White Sox are nowhere near contention. Rios, who has long been rumored to be trade bait, would bring back a significant return. 

He's a solid right-handed bat. He's hitting .272/.324/.428 this season with 12 homers, 22 steals and 53 runs scored—and his home/away splits have to be tantalizing for a team looking to move him away from U.S. Cellular Field:

Moreover, he isn't just a rental. He has a team option through the 2015 season, thus maximizing the return for the White Sox. 

As for the Pirates, it's exactly what they need to solidify a chance at the World Series. 

At 62-42, the team looks set to secure the franchise's first winning season and postseason appearance since 1992, but it needs to act like contenders at the deadline. 

The starting pitching has been spectacular. The "Shark Tank" bullpen has been even better. But the hitting, which ranks 11th in the National League in batting average and 10th in OPS, has been inconsistent.

Rios would quickly quell that problem and help the Pirates avoid another late-season meltdown.

Cliff Lee Not Cheap

With a 3.05 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP and over three years remaining on his contract, Cliff Lee is a valuable commodity. 

And with eight losses in a row, the Philadelphia Phillies have slipped into "seller" territory, making the former Cy Young available. 

But the price tag is steep, according to The Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo: "From every indication Phillies won't settle for anything less than Bogaerts at the head of any package for Lee."

Eesh. That would be Xander Bogaerts, who was rated by Baseball America as the No. 8 prospect before the start of the season—and has only lived up to that praise. 

Between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket, the young Red Sox stud has hit a combined .298/.396/.495 with 14 homers, 59 RBI, 61 runs scored and seven stolen bases.

It's almost impossible to overstate the value of a 20-year-old shortstop already displaying this kind of power and plate discipline (23 walks to 29 strikeouts in Triple A) at such a high level. 

Lee would undoubtedly improve the Red Sox's World Series chances, but shipping away Bogaerts could haunt the franchise for a long time. 

Michael Young Only Wants to Go "Home"

Another player who has become available during the Phillies' recent slide is veteran Michael Young. 

Although many squads are interested, however, Young has a no-trade clause and is willing to waive it for only one team, per FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal: "Phillies' Michael Young [will] only approve trade to #Rangers. Has full no-trade clause."

Young, of course, spent his first 13 MLB seasons with the Texas Rangers, establishing himself as a versatile defender and hit machine at the plate. 

In his first season away from Texas, he is hitting .277/.342/.402 while almost exclusively playing third base. 

Although he isn't the All-Star he used to be, he's a fan favorite who would give the Rangers a necessary boost at DH—filling in for Lance Berkman, who may be done for the season—as they attempt to make a run at the postseason.