MLB Rumors: Latest Buzz on Big Names on the 2017 Trade Market

Two MLB trade bombshells occurred on Tuesday evening as the Detroit Tigers sent outfielder J.D. Martinez to the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Chicago White Sox dealt third baseman Todd Frazier to the New York Yankees along with relievers David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle.

The non-waiver trade deadline isn't until July 31, so some other big-name players will be packing their bags within the next week-and-a-half.

Here's a look at the latest chatter on San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija, Oakland Athletics first baseman Yonder Alonso and a quartet of Baltimore Orioles.

Jeff Samardzija

According to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle, Jeff "The Shark" Samardzija is coveted on the trade market, in addition to reliever Hunter Strickland.

Focusing on Samardzija, the 32-year-old has had a rough 2017 campaign, going 4-11 with a 4.86 ERA. Homers have been an issue this year, as Samardzija has given up 20 dingers in 19 starts.

However, he has struck out more than a batter per inning, punching out 135 hitters in 124 frames. 

Furthermore, as Schulman noted, teams like Samardzija's durability, and he has a proven track record of staying on the field. He's made no fewer than 32 starts in four of the last seasons, and he's taken the mound every fifth day this season.

With the Giants' season long over, as they currently occupy last place in the National League West, a Samardzija move would not be surprising, especially because so many teams are still in the playoff mix and looking for arms.

Through games played on Tuesday, six American League teams were fewer than five games back of the New York Yankees for the second wild-card spot. The National League has a much wider gap, but the top four teams in the Central Division are only separated by four losses.

Therefore, even though Samardzija hasn't had a great year, a bidding war for his services could be on the horizon.

Yonder Alonso

Per Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, the New York Yankees are interested in Oakland Athletics first baseman Yonder Alonso.

This news dropped before the Yanks traded a prospect haul (including 2016 first-round pick Blake Rutherford) to the White Sox in the aforementioned Frazier deal. Frazier is a third baseman by trade, but Heyman says he might split some time at both corner positions:

Although the Yankees just traded away some of their assets and Frazier should get some time at first, the Bronx Bombers could still look to acquire Alonso, simply because the position has been a giant question mark all season.

Greg Bird, Chris Carter, Ji-Man Choi and Garrett Cooper have taken turns there this year, but no one has grabbed hold of the position just yet.

Alonso would be a steady presence at first base, and he would receive a significant park upgrade. He's managed to hit 21 home runs this year while playing half of his games in the dark, cold cavern that is O.co Coliseum. Imagine what the left-handed hitter can do in New York with the short porch in right field on humid August and September nights.

The Yanks shouldn't sell the farm for Alonso, especially because the 30-year-old is a free agent after this year, but if the price is right, then this seems like a great fit.

Baltimore Orioles

Per Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the O's might be sellers at the trade deadline, with a focus on moving some bullpen arms and right fielder Seth Smith.

As Rosenthal reported on Sunday, those three relievers are left-handed closer Zach Britton and right-handed setup men Darren O'Day and Brad Brach. Rosenthal also noted that center fielder Adam Jones, third baseman Manny Machado and reliever Mychal Givens are not going anywhere this month.

It's undoubtedly been a disappointing season in Baltimore, as the O's have free-fallen following a 22-10 start that catapulted them into first in the American League East. Since then, Baltimore has gone just 22-39 and is fighting just to stay out of the East cellar.

Starting pitching and disappointing individual offensive seasons have been the primary culprits. The bats could certainly come around (they did in Tuesday's 12-1 win over Texas, at least), but the rotation is a large concern, especially given all the young talent Baltimore has in its starting five.

The bullpen has been the team's strength even though Britton was on the disabled list for two months, as the O's have the 10th-best reliever ERA in baseball. Dismantling that crew, in addition to dealing off the 34-year-old Smith (11 home runs, .264 batting average) would mean that a complete overhaul is on the horizon.