MLB Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz on Matt Kemp, Jake Peavy and More

The trade deadline madness has only just begun. 

Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel were dealt to the Oakland Athletics at the beginning of July, while the New York Yankees just moved to acquire veteran third baseman Chase Headley. 

The quantity may not be there yet, but those are two moves that will undoubtedly have a major effect on the shape of the American League playoff race. 

With the trade deadline just a week away, the speculation of more moves is building exponentially. Let's take a look at the most recent gossip. 

Teams Asking About Matt Kemp, But Talks Aren't Serious

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

According to sources cited by Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal, four teams have inquired about Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp: the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners. 

And none of them sound real serious. 

The Sox, according to Rosenthal, came away feeling the Dodgers didn't want to make a move, while the other three seemed to inquire just because it was something to do: 

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The level of interest from each team varied – the Indians did not engage in substantive conversations with the Dodgers, and the Rangers’ interest was believed to be only cursory. The Mariners, meanwhile, consider themselves a “longshot” to land Kemp, according to a source.

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Even though Rosenthal reports "manager Don Mattingly and Kemp are at odds," it's not surprising that talks are in the pre-pubescent stages. Trading for the 29-year-old is complicated at best. 

He's owed $107 million from 2015 through 2019, an inexplicably steep price to pay for a player hitting .270/.330/.411 over the last two seasons. 

Still, a change of scenery could be good for Kemp, who isn't far removed from being one of the most feared hitters in the league. 

As Fox Sports' Jon Morosi points out, that's exactly what the Mariners—one of the four teams that have inquired—need: 

The M's are barely hanging on to the second wild-card spot, but they continue to waste what has been a marvelous pitching staff, from starters to the entire bullpen. 

Kemp is far more than some midseason rental, though, and it appears that teams are a bit gun-shy about giving up valuable pieces to take on his massive salary. 

Giants Interested in Jake Peavy?

Michael Dwyer/Associated Press

A year ago, the Red Sox acquired Jake Peavy at the trade deadline, a move that was integral in their World Series run. Every team dreams of making that kind of impact addition in July. 

And because those teams are clearly lazy, they're just going back to the same player again this summer. 

The St. Louis Cardinals were long thought to be the likeliest destination for Peavy, but ESPN's Buster Olney reported the San Francisco Giants are also a team to watch:

On the surface, Peavy's numbers are off-putting. He holds a 4.72 ERA and 1.43 WHIP and has allowed an AL-most 20 home runs. 

Still, he hits free agency in the winter (he won't be eligible for his 2015 option unless he magically tallies 131.1 innings over the remainder of the season), has important postseason experience, is a reliable veteran and would serve as a very nice back-of-the-rotation starter down the stretch for a contender. 

"I feel fine. I’m healthy. I have a lot of baseball left in me," he told The Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo. "If I’m here I’m gonna figure out a win, I’ll promise you that. If I’m somewhere else I’ll give it everything I have. I hope that’s here."

The Giants, who are battling the Dodgers at the top of the NL West, are just 23rd in the majors in starters' ERA, and Matt Cain was just placed on the disabled list. Ignore the uninspiring numbers—Peavy is an upgrade. 

Reds Going After Marlon Byrd?

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

The amount of right-handed power hitters seems unusually low this year, and as such, Marlon Byrd—even though he's owed $8 million in 2015—is attracting quite a bit of interest. 

According to ESPN's Jim Bowden, the newest rumored suitors are the Cincinnati Reds: 

Byrd is slugging .480 and has 19 home runs on the season. While he strikes out more frequently than all but seven qualified hitters across the entire league, there's no question he can add a bit of pop to any lineup. 

The Reds are surging with talent in the batter's box, but with Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips on the DL and Jay Bruce struggling, another bat could be necessary to keep pace in the stacked NL Central.