MLB Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz on James Shields, Yovani Gallardo and More

The Major League Baseball non-waiver trade deadline is quickly approaching. Aces are flying out of town, but the San Diego Padres' James Shields and Texas Rangers' Yovani Gallardo haven't been moved as of yet.

That could change soon.

According to ESPN.com, the Rangers have reportedly traded for Philadelphia Phillies ace Cole Hamels. That could open the floodgates on the other potential deals for other available starting pitchers.

That includes Shields and Gallardo.

ESPN.com's Jayson Stark seems to believe the Padres will trade Shields, although this recent tweet indicates the San Francisco Giants might not be the place where he ultimately lands:

There's currently eight teams within five games of the lowest wild-card spot in their respective leagues. With so many teams still alive in the chase for the postseason, it seems almost certain we'll see more deals for pitching before Friday's deadline.

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

According to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com, the Los Angeles Dodgers are a team to watch closely as it pertains to Gallardo and the Cincinnati Reds' Mike Leake:

Because the Dodgers didn't get Hamels, one of these players would seemingly be a prime target for the team. With Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw already anchoring the staff, Gallardo or Leake would fit in nicely as a third or fourth starter.

While it may seem the Dodgers' intentions are clear, the same cannot be said for the New York Mets. On Wednesday, it seemed as if the team had completed a trade for Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Carlos Gomez. However, according to sources referenced by Adam Rubin and Kieran Darcy of ESPN.com, the trade was nixed when the Mets were reportedly scared off by Gomez's medical report.

Jeff Chiu/Associated Press

Gomez's agent Scott Boras insists his client is in good health. Per Rubin and Darcy, Boras said the following about Gomez: 

"

He's in first-class physical condition without issue. We monitor our players closely. If there was ever an issue with him, we would have him seen by experts in a particular area. He has not been seen by any outside physicians this year. Other than a hamstring issue, he's been in great physical health. He plans on playing in the big leagues for the next 15 years.

"

Apparently the Mets weren't buying it.

Adding bats is still a priority for the Mets as they try to catch the Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates in the race for the wild card, or the Washington Nationals in the National League East. New York will have to go to Plan B, and it's unclear which player the Mets will target now that the deal for Gomez isn't going to happen.