MLB Trade Rumors: Last-Second Updates on Potential Deadline Deals

With the MLB trade deadline coming up at 4 p.m. ET Wednesday, teams across the league are making last-ditch efforts to load up for a playoff run or unload for a rebuild. The trade front has been fairly quiet thus far, but things could very well heat up in the closing minutes.

Since so many teams are still in the running for a playoff spot, conventional wisdom suggests that at least a few chips are bound to fall.

Here is the latest on the hottest rumors that continue to persist with less than an hour remaining until the non-waiver deadline comes and goes.

Bud Norris

With Matt Garza and Jake Peavy out of the picture, Houston Astros starter Bud Norris has suddenly become the hottest starting pitching commodity on the market. A number of teams could potentially make a move for him, but the San Francisco Giants are unlikely to be one of them, according to ESPN's Jayson Stark.

The Baltimore Orioles are reportedly still in the running, though, which makes sense as pitching is Baltimore's biggest weakness. In order to remain competitive in the wild card race, the O's could really use another arm. Norris has been solid this season with a 6-9 record and 3.93 ERA, so he would slot nicely into their rotation.

Dioner Navarro

It can be argued that the St. Louis Cardinals have the best catcher in baseball in the form of Yadier Molina, but his availability down the stretch is in question as he has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a knee injury, according to the Associated Press. As a short-term replacement, the Cards have shown interest in Chicago Cubs backstop Dioner Navarro, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

Navarro has been extremely productive for the Cubbies this season with a .294 batting average, nine home runs and 20 RBI. Navarro was once considered one of the best catchers in baseball as he made the All-Star Game in 2008, but he has been an afterthought ever since. Navarro could have an opportunity to help a contender down the stretch.

Phil Hughes

The New York Yankees are in a difficult situation as they remain in the AL wild-card race but need to finish extremely strong in order to make the playoffs. Regardless of what their intentions are, trading free-agent-to-be Phil Hughes is probably a good idea. The Bombers have been shopping the once-promising pitcher to no avail, but Bob Nightengale of USA Today is reporting that the offers are starting to flow in.

While Hughes hasn't performed particularly well for the Yanks this season as his 4.58 ERA suggests, he is just 27 years old, and he is a former All-Star to boot. Hughes could potentially be an effective back-of-the-rotation guy down the stretch, especially if that team plays in a pitcher-friendly park. It's hard to imagine the Yankees re-signing him, so they might as well sell him off to the highest bidder.

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