Updating Top Suitors for 2016 MLB Trade Deadline's Impact Targets

The Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline is rapidly approaching, and already we've seen some significant action on the MLB trade market.

Among the names that already have been on the move this month include Drew Pomeranz, Aroldis Chapman, Brad Ziegler, Melvin Upton Jr., Mike Montgomery, Joaquin Benoit, Drew Storen, Aaron Hill and Lucas Harrell.

That said, there are still plenty of impact players on the market, as the next couple of days figure to be equally busy with teams looking to shore up their rosters for the stretch run.

For now, here is a quick run through the top impact players still thought to be available and the latest rumors surrounding where they could possibly land over the next four days.

RF Jay Bruce, Cincinnati Reds

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Player Overview

After back-to-back disappointing seasons, outfielder Jay Bruce has bounced back in a big way to give the Cincinnati Reds one of the most valuable trade chips on the market.

The 29-year-old hit .222 with a .695 OPS (91 OPS+) in 2014 and 2015 while dealing with a variety of injuries.

He's returned to form this year, though, posting a .271/.323/.572 line with 22 doubles, 25 home runs and an NL-leading 79 RBI while earning his third All-Star nod.

On top of his rejuvenated bat, Bruce also comes with the added value of being more than just a rental bat, as he comes with a reasonable $13 million team option for 2017.

Rumors/Speculation

• Earlier this month, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports listed the Indians, Rangers, Nationals, Orioles, Giants and Dodgers as teams who have at least checked in on Bruce.

• However, it would appear the Indians are not serious in their pursuit. They are instead focused on landing a left-handed reliever, per Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. Catcher also figures to be a priority.

• Jon Heyman of Today's Knuckleball zeroed in on the Dodgers as a potential landing spot for Bruce, saying he's a "much more likely" target than Carlos Gonzalez or Ryan Braun in the team's pursuit of a power-hitting outfielder.

• As of Tuesday, the Reds have "picked up the pace" in their efforts to move Bruce, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN. There are at least four teams in the mix, and the Reds are seeking a top prospect in return.

C Jonathan Lucroy, Milwaukee Brewers

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Player Overview

Jonathan Lucroy struggled through an injury-plagued 2015 season that saw him miss time with a broken toe and concussion issues, but he has returned to being one of the league's best all-around catchers here in 2016.

The 30-year-old is hitting .300/.361/.486 with 17 doubles, 13 home runs and 50 RBI, showing similar form to what we saw in 2014 when he finished fourth in NL MVP voting.

He's also thrown out 40 percent of would-be base stealers and ranks as one of the league's better pitch framers, per Stat Corner.

Lucroy would be one of the top trade chips on the market on the strength of his on-field production alone, but he also has one of the most team-friendly contracts in baseball with a $4 million salary this season and a $5.25 million team option for 2017.

Rumors/Speculation

• The New York Mets have shown interest in Lucroy, offering up a package built around incumbent catcher Travis d'Arnaud and a "blue-chip" prospect, according to Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News.

• T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com tweets that the Texas Rangers are "not really in" on Lucroy at this point and are instead more focused on the pitching side of things.

• Losing starting catcher Yan Gomes to a shoulder injury and a setback in the recovery of outfielder Michael Brantley has put the Cleveland Indians in the market for an offensive addition, and they are in on Lucroy, per Buster Olney of ESPN.

• Though they are not in a position to contend now, the Atlanta Braves are looking to solidify their catching situation for 2017, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. With a loaded farm system, they have the pieces to grab Lucroy if he does in fact wind up being their target.

• Jerry Crasnick of ESPN tweeted on Wednesday afternoon that talks "are intensifying" and that the offers for Lucroy are "getting more serious" as his odds of moving before the deadline appear to be increasing.

• The Detroit Tigers are interested in Lucroy and are one of five teams in the mix for his services, according to Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press.

C Derek Norris, San Diego Padres

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Player Overview

After making his first All-Star appearance with Oakland in 2014, Derek Norris was traded to the San Diego Padres in 2015 and posted a .709 OPS while setting new career highs in hits (129), doubles (33), home runs (14), RBI (62) and runs scored (65).

His second season in San Diego has not gone quite as smoothly.

Norris is still showing good pop with 14 doubles and 12 home runs, but he's hitting just .199 and his .629 OPS ranks 166th among 174 players with at least 300 plate appearances.

On the plus side, he's an above-average pitch framer and his 1.2 dWAR ranks second among all catchers this season.

Norris is also still only 27 years old and under team control through the 2018 season.

Rumors/Speculation

• Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports tweeted on Sunday that the Padres were "pushing hard" to move Norris, along with their ongoing efforts to trade pitcher Andrew Cashner.

• The Texas Rangers showed interest in Norris during the offseason, and according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, he was actually their preferred target to Jonathan Lucroy at the time.

• Given his remaining team control, it's fair to speculate that Norris could be a fit with the Atlanta Braves as they search to shore up the catching position in 2017, per Mark Bowman of MLB.com.

• The performance of former top prospect Austin Hedges could be added incentive for the Padres to unload Norris. Always viewed as an elite defender, the 23-year-old Hedges has slashed .353/.396/.695 with 11 doubles, 17 home runs and 61 RBI in 202 plate appearances for Triple-A El Paso.

RF Josh Reddick, Oakland Athletics

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Player Overview

Since joining the Oakland Athletics prior to the 2012 season, Josh Reddick ranks 14th among all MLB outfielders with a 16.3 WAR.

He's dealt with various injuries throughout his career, including a fractured thumb earlier this season that cost him over a month, but he has been a consistent performer on both sides of the ball when healthy.

There were some talks of a potential extension with Oakland during the offseason, but nothing came to fruition, and now he seems like a safe bet to be moved ahead of the Aug. 1 deadline.

The 29-year-old is hitting .300/.375/.443 with 10 doubles, seven home runs and 27 RBI in 259 plate appearances so far this season, and his 10.8 percent walk rate is the best of his career.

Rumors/Speculation

• At the beginning of July, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle listed the Royals, Giants, Cubs, Dodgers, Blue Jays and Nationals as contenders who have scouted Reddick.

• As one might expect, there is some overlap in the markets for Reddick and fellow outfielder Jay Bruce. The Dodgers, Cubs and Indians are potential landing spots for both players, according to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports.

• Morosi specifically noted the Cubs' interest earlier in the month, adding that Reddick was originally drafted by Cubs team president Theo Epstein during his time in the Boston organization.

• Holding on to Reddick and extending him a qualifying offer remains an option: "The A’s could keep (Rich) Hill and make him a qualifying offer...it’s far less likely they’d do so with Hill than outfielder Josh Reddick, however," Slusser wrote.

Other Hitters to Watch

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The versatile Steve Pearce could be a fit for a number of contenders.

• RF Carlos Beltran, New York Yankees

Yankees GM Brian Cashman called Beltran a "big difference maker for us" and said that the team is "going to be very careful" in regard to exploring potential trades for him, according to Brendan Kuty of NJ.com. Rolling the dice on a qualifying offer in the offseason remains a possibility.

• OF Peter Bourjos, Philadelphia Phillies

Jeff Todd of MLBTradeRumors ranked Bourjos as his No. 16 overall trade candidate, but a recent shoulder injury could land him on the disabled list. Since June 21, he's rebuilt some value with a .304/.347/.478 line that includes 11 extra-base hits and 19 runs scored in 126 plate appearances.

• 3B Yunel Escobar, Los Angels Angels

Escobar is one of the few obvious trade candidates on the Angels, as he's hitting .325 with 22 doubles in the final year of his contract. The Mets and Giants were rumored to be interested back in late June, according to Pedro Moura of the Los Angeles Times.

• OF Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies

The Rockies don't seem interested in trading Gonzalez, according to a video from Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. He goes on to note that current GM Jeff Bridich's contract reportedly runs through the end of next season, so keeping CarGo on board gives him the best chance to win in what will be a contract year of sorts.

• UT Eduardo Nunez, Minnesota Twins

According to Buster Olney of ESPN, Nunez is among the offensive options being evaluated by the Cleveland Indians. The 29-year-old has split his time this season between shortstop and third base, but he's also capable of playing second base and the corner outfield spots, which makes him a potential option for a number of clubs. He also comes with team control through the 2017 season.

• UT Steve Pearce, Tampa Bay Rays

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN lists the Giants and Indians as speculative fits for Pearce. The 33-year-old has been a terrific bargain on a one-year, $4.75 million deal, posting a .312/.384/.528 line that includes 11 doubles and 10 home runs over 224 plate appearances. Joel Sherman of the New York Post confirmed the Indians' interest, noting that Pearce is "very likely" to be dealt before the deadline.

• 3B Danny Valencia, Oakland Athletics

Somewhat surprisingly, Valencia has not generated much in the way of trade interest, and Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle takes that one step further: "With little trade interest in Danny Valencia and the A’s deciding to go young, Valencia...might wind up as a DFA, as he was in Toronto at this time last season."

• Others of Note

The hefty contracts of Ryan Braun (MIL) and Matt Kemp (SD), coupled with the availability of other outfielders like Jay Bruce and Josh Reddick, likely means those two big names stay put. There has also been little development in the shortstop market, so expect Zack Cozart (CIN) to be stationary as well.

SP Andrew Cashner, San Diego Padres

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Player Overview

Andrew Cashner has flashed front-line potential at times during his five seasons with the San Diego Padres, but inconsistency and injuries have kept him from emerging as the staff ace the team hoped it was getting when it acquired him from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Anthony Rizzo.

The big 6'6" right-hander has made 16 starts so far this season, going 4-7 with a 4.76 ERA, 1.387 WHIP and 67 strikeouts in 79.1 innings.

Those numbers aren't great on the surface, but he's pitched well of late among increasing trade rumors.

Over his last three starts, he's gone 1-0 with a 2.55 ERA, 0.792 WHIP and .180 opponents' batting average, striking out 23 and walking just three in 17.1 innings of work.

That's enough to make the 29-year-old free-agent-to-be one of the more appealing arms in a thin market.

Rumors/Speculation

• T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com confirmed the Texas Rangers' interest in Cashner, though that was prior to the team's recent acquisition of Lucas Harrell from the Atlanta Braves.

• Cashner was listed along with Michael Pineda (NYY) and Jeremy Hellickson (PHI) as pitchers the Miami Marlins are looking at as they seek to improve the rotation, per Jon Morosi of Fox Sports.

• The Baltimore Orioles were targeting a pair of Padres players in Melvin Upton and Cashner earlier this month, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. They missed out on Upton but could still use help in the starting rotation.

• Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle notes the San Francisco Giants' interest in Cashner, though their focus is on upgrading the bullpen, and they would consider converting him to relief if he were in fact acquired. Morosi confirmed on Wednesday that the Giants are still in the mix.

• There had been enough progress in trade talks that some, including Morosi, believed Cashner could be scratched from his most recent start on Tuesday. That didn't happen, though, and he went on to pitch six strong innings.

RP Wade Davis, Kansas City Royals

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Player Overview

Since making the full-time move to the bullpen in 2014, Wade Davis has been one of the most dominant relievers in baseball for the Kansas City Royals.

During that time, he's pitched to a 1.09 ERA, 0.873 WHIP and 11.4 K/9 over 175 appearances, and he's converted 38 of 41 save chances since taking over as the team's closer last season.

Davis signed what has turned out to be a very team-friendly six-year, $27.6 million deal shortly after breaking into the majors with the Tampa Bay Rays.

That deal is capped off with a $10 million team option for the 2017 season, giving the 30-year-old the added value of being more than just a two-month rental.

Rumors/Speculation

• Jon Heyman of Today's Knuckleball was among the first to suggest that the Royals could look to sell at the deadline, listing Davis alongside Kelvin Herrera, Edinson Volquez and Lorenzo Cain as players who could be shopped.

• According to another report from Heyman, the Washington Nationals and "a few other teams" have checked in on Davis, and as one would expect the asking price exceeds what it took the Chicago Cubs to acquire Aroldis Chapman.

• Jayson Stark of ESPN wrote: "The Nationals were in on Aroldis Chapman right to the end. Now, according to clubs talking with them, they are turning their attention to other big-name closers. Andrew Miller, Wade Davis and David Robertson are on the Nats' radar, but the price might be too hefty, especially for Miller or Davis, neither of whom is a lock to be moved before the deadline."

• On Wednesday, Heyman wrote that Davis is "someone who interests" the Los Angeles Dodgers. Pairing him with incumbent Kenley Jansen would give them a formidable one-two punch at the back of the bullpen.

SP Jeremy Hellickson, Philadelphia Phillies

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Player Overview

Jeremy Hellickson was the AL Rookie of the Year in 2011 while pitching for the Tampa Bay Rays, but he has never quite been able to match the success he enjoyed in his first season.

He's been traded each of the past two offseasons, first to the Arizona Diamondbacks and then to the rebuilding Philadelphia Phillies, and he's pitching well enough this season that he's likely positioned himself for a multi-year deal in free agency this coming winter.

The Opening Day starter this season for the Phillies, Hellickson has gone 7-7 with a 3.65 ERA, 1.122 WHIP and 107 strikeouts in 125.2 innings of work.

The 29-year-old has been particularly good lately, rattling off six quality starts in his last seven games and going 3-2 with a 2.20 ERA, 0.844 WHIP and .199 batting average in 45 innings of work during that span.

Rumors/Speculation

• The Miami Marlins are targeting Hellickson, according to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com, as they look to bolster a starting rotation that is by far their biggest weakness. The Marlins have seen firsthand how good Hellickson can be, as he's gone 2-0 with a 2.13 ERA and 0.868 WHIP in four starts against them this year.

• Jayson Stark of ESPN listed the Marlins, Orioles, Giants, Pirates and Rangers as teams that "have been watching him closely" leading up to the deadline.

• In that same piece, Stark wrote the following on the Phillies' expected return: "...The Phillies are looking for a young player who 'isn't your best prospect but would fit somewhere in your top five prospects' in return. Their rationale is that, as a Scott Boras client approaching free agency, Hellickson is a player they would almost certainly tender a qualifying offer to this winter, with confidence that he'd be unlikely to take it."

SP Rich Hill, Oakland Athletics

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Player Overview

Rich Hill was still pitching in the independent league at this time last season.

The Boston Red Sox signed the veteran left-hander in August, and he showed enough in four starts down the stretch to land a one-year, $6 million deal from the Oakland Athletics.

That looked like the steal of the offseason when the 36-year-old began the season 8-3 with a 2.25 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 64 innings over his first 11 starts.

However, he's made just three starts since May 29, first dealing with a groin injury and now trying to get past a blister that forced him out of his most recent start after just one batter and has now sidelined him since July 17.

Hill was lining up to be the prize of the trade deadline and a huge trade chip for the A's, but now it will all come down to whether teams are willing to roll the dice on his health.

Rumors/Speculation

• The Texas Rangers were in on Drew Pomeranz before he was traded to the Boston Red Sox and they are in on Hill as well, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.

• The A's reportedly asked for pitching prospect Anderson Espinoza, who was eventually shipped to the San Diego Padres in exchange for Pomeranz, in their talks with the Red Sox about Hill, per Buster Olney of ESPN.

• Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports wrote that the Red Sox, Rangers, Orioles, Blue Jays, Dodgers and Tigers are all expected to be in the mix to acquire Hill.

• After throwing a 50-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday, Hill "likes his chance(s)" to pitch this coming Sunday, according to John Hickey of the Bay Area News Group. That would give him one last audition ahead of the Monday deadline.
  

RP Andrew Miller, New York Yankees

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Player Overview

Andrew Miller was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2006 draft and a key piece of the trade that sent Miguel Cabrera from the Florida Marlins to the Detroit Tigers.

The big 6'7" left-hander never quite figured it out as a starter, going 21-29 with a 5.79 ERA in 359.1 innings over his first six seasons in the majors.

Everything changed when the Boston Red Sox moved him to the bullpen full-time in 2012.

Since then, he's posted a 2.21 ERA, 0.949 WHIP and 14.2 K/9 in 267 appearances, emerging as one of the game's truly dominant relievers and landing a four-year, $36 million deal prior to the 2015 season in the process.

With two years and $18 million left on that deal, the New York Yankees hold one of the market's most valuable trade chips. However, the Yankees will no doubt try to contend again next year, so he's no lock to be moved.

Rumors/Speculation

• Earlier this month, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post reported that the Yankees had told Miller that "if something blew them away, they would take it" in regard to whether or not he'd be traded this summer.

• Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tweeted that the Rangers are looking at relievers and that Miller is "on the radar" in their search for bullpen help.

• The Yankees didn't back down from their request of Kyle Schwarber in trade talks with the Chicago Cubs about Miller, as Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports detailed. The Cubs wound up keeping Schwarber and instead trading a package of four prospects to the Yankees in exchange for Aroldis Chapman.

• Leading up to the Chapman trade, the Yankees were telling teams they were going to hold on to Miller, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.

• Rosenthal tweeted that the Cleveland Indians' No. 1 priority is finding a left-handed reliever and that Miller is probably their top target. In another tweet, he noted that the Indians' entire pitching staff is currently right-handed and that Miller could be used in a variety of roles.

• Jayson Stark of ESPN wrote: "The Nationals were in on Aroldis Chapman right to the end. Now, according to clubs talking with them, they are turning their attention to other big-name closers. Andrew Miller, Wade Davis and David Robertson are on the Nats' radar, but the price might be too hefty, especially for Miller or Davis, neither of whom is a lock to be moved before the deadline."

Other Pitchers to Watch

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

The Angels could opt to sell Hector Santiago in a thin market for pitching.

• SP Chris Archer, Matt Moore and Jake Odorizzi, Tampa Bay Rays

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times wrote that the Rays are discussing their trio of potentially available starters with "at least 10 teams" and that they will likely wait until right at the deadline to decide whether or not to deal.

• SP Ricky Nolasco and Ervin Santana, Minnesota Twins

The Twins are "more focused on moving Santana and Nolasco" than anything else, according to Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. That's easier said than done, with both pitchers still owed a decent chunk of change.

• RP Jeremy Jeffress and Will Smith, Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers have been trying to package one of their coveted relievers with Jonathan Lucroy or Ryan Braun to maximize a potential return package, according to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle. The Cleveland Indians have shown interest in a potential Lucroy/Smith package, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.

• RP Jeanmar Gomez, Philadelphia Phillies

The San Francisco Giants have scouted Gomez, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN, and so have the Detroit Tigers, per Jon Morosi of Fox Sports. The 28-year-old has emerged as the unexpected closer for the Phillies this season, converting 26 of 29 save chances with a 2.70 ERA.

• SP Hector Santiago, Los Angeles Angels

A number of teams have inquired about Santiago and the Angels are willing to listen, per Jerry Crasnick of ESPN. The Miami Marlins are one team showing interest, according to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports, as they continue to canvas the starting pitching market.

• SP James Shields, Chicago White Sox

Shields already has been traded once this season and could be on the move again, as the White Sox are willing to listen to offers, according to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports. After a disastrous start to his White Sox career, the veteran has posted a 1.71 ERA in his last six starts.

• RP Huston Street, Los Angeles Angels and RP David Robertson, Chicago White Sox

If the asking price for Andrew Miller and Wade Davis remains high enough that teams are scared off, these two could emerge as a "Plan B" of sorts for clubs still looking to upgrade the back of their bullpen.

• Others of Note

On the starting pitching side of things, Jorge De La Rosa (COL), Jon Niese (PIT), Ivan Nova (NYY) and Wade Miley (SEA) could all be targeted as fallback options for teams looking to add rotation depth. As for relievers, Boone Logan (COL), Joe Smith (LAA), Fernando Abad and Brandon Kintzler (MIN) could also provide some middle-inning help.

All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com and FanGraphs, unless otherwise noted.