MLB Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz on Cole Hamels, Pedro Alvarez and More

There comes a time when well-thought-out plans must come to light. For MLB teams, as the calendar charges around third and heads for home—the non-waiver trade deadline of July 31 at 4 p.m. ET—the time is now.

Big names and faces sit on the block, bags perhaps already packed, real estate agents at the ready. No trade deadline is ever silent, not with contenders wanting to find the proverbial missing piece and pretenders looking to sell big contracts and reinforce for the future.

With the above in mind, it's best to catch up on the hottest buzz from the rumor mill. While a few days away, the biggest action of the trade-deadline period starts now.

Cole Hamels and the Cubs?

Michael Perez/Associated Press

As expected, Cole Hamels of the Philadelphia Phillies is one of the biggest names on the block as the deadline approaches. Unexpected, though, is this year's surging, young Chicago Cubs roster capable of stealing a wild-card slot.

It's only right the two forces come together.

According to David Kaplan of CSN Chicago, the playoff hopefuls are one step ahead as they eye the postseason:

"

MLB sources confirmed to me this afternoon that the Cubs have been in discussions with the Philadelphia Phillies on a deal for Cole Hamels who has three years left on his current contract plus an option year. While he is an expensive piece he fits the needs of the team to upgrade their rotation while adding a player who would be a part of the team beyond the rest of this season.

"

There are a few problems for the Cubs. For one, there is no chance they will be the lone team interested in the 31-year-old hurler with a 3.91 ERA, 124 fanned batters and a 1.25 WHIP, per ESPN.com.

Two, as ESPN's Jayson Stark points out, the Phillies will need to want to move him:

It's a tricky situation all around, but especially for the Cubs. Each year, it seems the globe has to watch to see if the Phillies want to commit to a fire sale or convince themselves they will be contenders next year and it's best to hold on to talent.

For the Cubs, though, this is new territory. The team has a good thing going with young talent. Is it time to swing for the fences per se and sacrifice some of the young talent to win now or fall back and watch as things develop?

A Cubs-Hamels relationship makes sense, but it's impossible to know which way things will swing.

Pedro Alvarez on the Block

Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

Some teams don't hide their intentions, broadcasting loud and clear what they want and for how much.

This is the case with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Pedro Alvarez after his transition from third to first base continues to flounder. The problem is, it doesn't seem like there is any interest in the No. 2 pick from the 2008 draft.

Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan provided the report:

It's hard to imagine the Pirates getting much in return. Alvarez features a .233/.302/.434 slash line and miserable minus-0.6 WAR, per ESPN.com. Fielding is a major issue considering he's committed 15 errors this year at first base.

Then again, Alvarez leads the Pirates in home runs (14), and the team needs as much hitting as possible.

Look for a team in the American League to come calling, if anything, as Alvarez seems a smart slot as a DH at this point. Pittsburgh, though, might want to brace itself for minimal return.

Cleveland's Trade Block

Duane Burleson/Associated Press

The Cleveland Indians sit with 45 wins entering the weekend and a fourth-place slot in the AL Central division.

As such, Cleveland is an obvious focal point of the rumor mill thanks to a rotation with plenty to offer other teams—for the right price, of course.

That sounds like what it will all come down to, as Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal explained:

It's not hard to see why there is interest.

Corey Kluber, the 2014 AL Cy Young winner, sits at 5-11 but features a 3.59 ERA with 166 strikeouts and a 1.12 WHIP. Granted, he just surrendered six runs in a July 24 loss to the Chicago White Sox, but other teams see the light if they convince themselves a change of scenery would do Kluber some good.

The Indians feature young tradable talent, too. Trevor Bauer is just 24 years old and has made good on a rough situation with a 4.29 ERA and an 8-7 mark. Danny Salazar is in similar territory at 25 with a 3.78 ERA and 8-5 record.

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox seem to have different priorities considering the former sits in first place in its division and needs arms, while the latter is in last place in its own and is eying the future. 

Regardless, it's clear the two front offices, and any other team thinking of picking up the phone, better come with a strong offer or look elsewhere.

Stats and info courtesy of MLB.com unless otherwise specified.