MLB Rumors: Analyzing Trade Talk Around Cole Hamels, Justin Upton and More

The Kansas City Royals pulled the trigger on the first major deal ahead of the MLB trade deadline on July 31. Now, the question is whether any other teams will follow suit.

The Royals laid down a marker for their intentions this year after acquiring Johnny Cueto on Sunday, per MLB.com's Jeffrey Flanagan. Although Cueto was considered one of the best players available, teams still looking to buy have plenty of other options at their disposals.

Let's take a look at some of the recent reports working their way through the rumor mill.

Cole Hamels

Matt Marton/Associated Press

With Cueto on the move, Cole Hamels becomes the undisputed best pitcher on the market. Not only that—Hamels is fresh off a no-hitter against the Chicago Cubs.

For a player with Hamels' pedigree, you'd think one start couldn't possibly alter the opinion of teams angling to add him ahead of the deadline. If anything, it simply affirmed how good he can be on his best day. According to ESPN.com's Jayson Stark, at least one scout is convinced:

Stark reported Sunday the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers are the top two teams in the race for Hamels at the moment:

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Both the Rangers and Dodgers view Hamels as an attractive alternative to this winter's deep class of free-agent aces, because he is under contract for three more years after this season and has a team or vesting option for a fourth season. The guaranteed portion of his contract runs through only his age-34 season -- whereas a group of free agents in or approaching their 30s, such as David Price, Johnny Cueto and Zack Greinke, will be looking for deals that take them into their late 30s.

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Fox Sports' Jon Paul Morosi tweeted earlier in the day the Rangers are talking over a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies but that a deal is by no means imminent.

As an aside, the New York Yankees are definitely out of the hunt if this report from Joel Sherman of the New York Post accurately represents the front office's mindset:

Sherman followed up with why the Yankees would be loath to take on the entirety of the money Hamels will earn:

Whatever team hopes to acquire Hamels will likely have to part with one or two top prospects while also taking on a large majority of his deal. It would seem the Yankees aren't prepared to take those steps.

If Hamels ends up anywhere but Los Angeles, then it will be a surprise. The Dodgers have the financial strength to meet the financial demands of the trade, and they have a deep enough farm system that they could afford to lose one or two of their most prized minor leaguers.

Justin Upton

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

In a perfect world for New York Mets fans, the team would trade for Justin Upton to augment its anemic offense en route to a World Series title.

Alas, no Mets fan likely reasonably believes the front office would be willing to pay for an expensive slugger like Upton. Even Mets general manager Sandy Alderson is aware of the pervading skepticism around the ownership's commitment to winning, per Mike Vorkunov of NJ.com:

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reported the San Diego Padres asked the Mets for one or two big prospects and wouldn't pay anything toward Upton's remaining salary. New York stepped away from the negotiating table at that point.

Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune also cast doubt as to how deep into discussions San Diego and New York were on an Upton trade. Lin's source "said the talks had not progressed as far as exchanging names."

At this point, it seems unlikely Upton goes anywhere, even though he's one of the best hitters on the market.

The Padres are only seven games back in the National League wild card, which isn't an insurmountable gap. They'd also receive a compensation pick in the event they extend a qualifying offer to Upton and he signs with another team in the offseason.

The motivation to keep Upton is probably strong. It would take a massive offer to convince San Diego otherwise, and it can be difficult to justify surrendering top prospects for what could be merely a rental player.

Minnesota Twins

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

Meanwhile, the Padres would likely be much more amenable to a trade for one of their middle relievers.

Morosi reported the Minnesota Twins could be looking at somebody out of San Diego's bullpen:

Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press spoke to Twins general manager Terry Ryan, who spoke about the team's need to add relievers who can consistently miss bats.

"That's an advantage, for sure," Ryan said. "You like to get people out regardless, but there is a time and an opportunity that a strikeout makes a lot more sense. It's very much advantageous."

Adding Shawn Kelley or Joaquin Benoit would certainly help in that regard. Kelley's 10.03 strikeouts per nine innings are more than any other Twins reliever, while Benoit's 8.02 K/9 would be fifth-best.

The Twins could go for broke and bet it all on winning in 2015, but they have the framework for what should be a contender for years to come. There's no need to completely overhaul the roster.

Trading for a veteran like Kelley or Benoit would be a nice move since it would help the team but not cost an arm and a leg.