MLB Trade Talk: Big Names That Will Be on the Move

Now that the All-Star Game is complete, teams that have been unwilling to put star players on the block may be ready to engage other clubs in trade talks for their big-name commodities.

The Cincinnati Reds, for instance, were hosting the All-Star Game and didn't want to send a bad message to their fans by breaking up the team before the Midsummer Classic.

So let's take a look at the latest trade news around the league, with the deadline a couple of weeks away.

Johnny Cueto

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

The Reds' prized right-hander is being pursued by a number of playoff contenders. 

Bob Nightengale of USA Today tweeted on Tuesday that the Houston Astros, Toronto Blue Jays and Kansas City Royals are all looking at Cueto:

According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Astros in particular have shown significant interest in Cueto , who he may be their top target as the deadline approaches. Heyman wrote that many sources league-wide believe Cincinnati will put the starting pitcher on the trading block now that the All-Star game has passed. 

The fact that Cueto—who is 6-6 with a 2.73 ERA and 0.90 WHIP at the break—was pulled at 66 pitches in his last outing against the Miami Marlins could signal that the Reds are being very conservative with him to make sure he doesn't get hurt, which would impact his trade value.

It is true that the Astros need to improve their rotation behind Dallas Keuchel and Collin McHugh. They're trying to limit Lance McCullers' innings in the second half, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, and there's nothing but question marks on the back end of the starting staff.

They led the AL West for almost the entire first half but dropped six in a row going into the break to fall a half-game behind the Los Angeles Angels.

There's no doubt Cueto would greatly help Houston's chances, but whether he ultimately ends up there will be determined in the coming weeks.

Cole Hamels

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

Despite a miserable start against the San Francisco Giants in which Hamels allowed a career-high nine runs and 12 hits in 3.1 innings, Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. is not concerned about the southpaw's trade value.

"No, I'm not worried about Cole Hamels and his trade value," Amaro said, via CSN Philly. "People know what he is."

In 18 starts this season, Hamels is 5-7 with a 3.63 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP, but he's 0-3 with a 4.89 ERA since June 1.

Amaro thinks it's possible that all the trade rumors may be taking a mental toll on Hamels, affecting his pitching.

"Under the circumstances, it's not easy being Cole Hamels right now," Amaro said, according to CSN Philly. "Even though he's getting paid a whole lot of money, still they're human beings, and those thing could affect you some." 

Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe joked during Tuesday night's All-Star Game that Hamels will join the Boston Red Sox by the deadline:

On a more serious note, the Los Angeles Dodgers would like to improve their rotation, as they're still not completely comfortable with Brett Anderson, Carlos Frias and Mike Bolsinger behind the two All-Stars anchoring the rotation.

They have been linked to Hamels throughout the season, and Mark Saxon of ESPN.com wrote about what adding the left-hander would mean for that team:

"

Meanwhile, one of the pitchers the Dodgers covet most just left town. Cole Hamels didn't pitch here though if the Dodgers had their druthers, he will before the season is out, and no, the Phillies don't have any games left in L.A. .... Kershaw said he prepares for his starts by watching video of Hamels working against the opponent he is about to face. Hamels' repertoire is the most similar to his own, he reasons. That is, of course, high praise from a three-time Cy Young winner.

"

It remains unclear where Hamels is most likely to wind up, but it would be remiss of the Phillies to hold on to him. He's signed through 2019 for $23.5 million a year, and it wouldn't make sense for a rebuilding team to keep Hamels instead of trading him for prospects who will be able contribute when the team is ready to compete. 

San Diego's Yard Sale

Matt York/Associated Press

The San Diego Padres were the darlings of the offseason, going through a two-week stretch where it seemed as if they acquired a star player every other day. But the big moves haven't paid off, as the team sits 10 games behind the first-place Dodgers in the NL West, culminating in a report from Jon Morosi of Fox Sports last week that they might be sellers at the trade deadline.

In the Toronto Blue Jays, the Padres may have a trade partner willing to take a couple of players off their hands.

Toronto is in need of a closer and a starting pitcher, while the Padres have a handful of pitchers they're willing to move. 

According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, Morosi said that Toronto may be able to put together a package for Padres closer Craig Kimbrel and one of the starting pitchers San Diego is willing to part ways with. That includes James Shields, Ian Kennedy, Tyson Ross and Andrew Cashner.

It will come at a high price, however, with the Jays possibly having to surrender top pitching prospects Jeff Hoffman and Daniel Norris in a deal with San Diego, as noted by Rosenthal.

That might be a risk worth taking if you're Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos, considering the team already has a championship-caliber lineup. They're first in the majors in runs scored, slugging percentage and OPS, and third in home runs.  

A 4.18 team ERA and the sixth-most runs allowed in all of baseball are the reasons Toronto is a game under .500. 

Even so, the Jays trail the New York Yankees by just 4.5 games in the AL East, and if they can acquire Kimbrel, along with another starter from the Padres, they will be one of the more dangerous teams in the AL.