MLB Trade Rumors: Latest Deadline Buzz Surrounding Yankees, Cubs and More

The MLB trade deadline is nearly here, with only a few hours separating us from the transaction cutoff time.

This is often one of the most exciting days of the summer for baseball fans, and 2013 should be no different.

Let’s take a look at who could be on the move, where they are going, which clubs are buying, which are selling and more in Wednesday’s rumor roundup.

Yankees Interested in Rios

The New York Yankees are intrigued by the possibility of bringing Alex Rios to the Big Apple, but they would first need the veteran outfielder to waive his no-trade clause to facilitate any deal. 

MLB.com's Scott Merkin first reported the rumor via Twitter on Tuesday:

Rios was vague when addressing the possibility of being dealt, telling the media, via Merkin:

"

Yep, I don't want to talk about trades. There's been too many things being said. It's a distraction right now. But hopefully it's Aug. 1 and it's in the past. Whatever happens, if I'm here, I'm here. If I'm somewhere else ... It would be nice for this to be all over, you know?

"

With Ichiro Suzuki, Brett Gardner, Vernon Wells, Alfonso Soriano and Curtis Granderson (who has been injured most of the season) already on the roster, it will be interesting to see how the Yankees plan to use Rios if they acquire him. The club is doing well with talent at each outfield spot.

Rios is hitting .272/.324/.428 with 12 home runs and 49 RBI in 400 at-bats in 2013.

Cubs Up in the Air

The Chicago Cubs have received offers for outfielder Nate Schierholtz and reliever James Russell and now need to make a decision on whether or not to take the bait and ship these talents off to new locations.

According to ESPN Chicago’s Bruce Levine, the Pittsburgh Pirates have taken an interest in Schierholtz, while the Braves have been keeping tabs on Russell for the past week.

If the Pirates can nab Schierholtz, they would be getting a 29-year-old in the prime of his career who is hitting .272 with 14 home runs and 43 RBI in 2013.

Schierholtz has hit two game-winning home runs in the past week and would definitely be a great addition to Pittsburgh’s lineup at this juncture. He also serves as a solid outfielder. 

As for Russell, the three-year veteran believes that experiencing a playoff run would be the “coolest thing in the world” and sees the bright side of being dealt, as reported by Levine.

Russell holds a 3.08 ERA with 29 strikeouts in 38.0 innings pitched this year.

Michael Young’s Heart is with Texas

The Philadelphia Phillies' fire sale should begin shortly, but third baseman Michael Young has made it clear that he isn’t interested in relocating unless it is to head back to the Texas Rangers—where he is the all-time hits leader.

According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, Phils general manager Ruben Amaro doesn’t believe that Young will be dealt and told MLB Network that there is only a slight chance that something is worked out in the coming hours.

That report comes largely because of the no-trade clause that Young possesses, as per Rosenthal.

The 36-year-old star has every right to exercise the not-trade clause if he feels the situation isn’t suitable for him.

It’ll be interesting to see which players end up moving away from the City of Brotherly Love after all is said and done today.