MLB Trade Rumors: Hottest Reports as 2017 Deadline's End Approaches

MLB contenders have reaalized the needlessness of waiting until the final hour.

Heading into the final weekend before Monday's non-waiver trade deadline, a few squads have already finalized transactions to fortify title hopefuls.

The Chicago Cubs (Jose Quintana), Arizona Diamondbacks (J.D. Martinez), New York Yankees (Todd Frazier, David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle), Tampa Bay Rays (Lucas Duda and multiple relievers) and Boston Red Sox (Eduardo Nunez) have already snatched major pieces off the board.

Plenty of prime trade candidates, however, remain. Not everyone completed their summer shopping, and some teams have not yet openly committed to buying or selling. The demand for big bats has proved noticeably weak, but several high-profile pitchers have spawned rounds of speculation.

Let's look at the latest chatter surrounding three hurlers.

Rangers Ready to Move Yu Darvish

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Yu Darvish could alter a playoff race and October series, but he may play out his contract with the Texas Rangers if they're intent on competing for an American League wild-card spot.

A recent report from Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal, published on Facebook, indicates otherwise. 

"The Rangers are telling interested clubs that they will move right-hander Yu Darvish, according to major-league sources," Rosenthal wrote late Thursday evening. "They are confident they will get a quality return, and actively exchanging names with teams."

Yet he also noted that the ace can block a trade to 10 teams, including the Cubs, Red Sox and Cleveland Indians. He also speculated that Texas would be hesitant to ship him to the Houston Astros out of fear of him getting cozy and staying with their American League West foe beyond 2017.

He cited Rangers general manager Jon Daniels telling ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick otherwise.

"If the right baseball decision for the Rangers is trading [a player] in the division or in-state, I don't have a problem with that," Daniels said.

They now must see if suitors will see him as a top-tier stud. Darvish jeopardized Texas' leveraging power by relinquishing 10 runs to the Miami Marlins on Wednesday. His ERA has ballooned to 4.01 after surrendering 24 earned runs over five July starts.

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The 30-year-old nevertheless sports a career 3.42 ERA and 11.0 strikeouts per nine innings. Recent struggles should not damage the demand for a front-line starter.

Along with the Astros, the Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers stand out as other contenders with deep farm systems to expunge for a costly rental. Although Darvish is the Dodgers' top pitching target, according to FanRag Sports' Jon Heyman, they are reportedly hesitant to move their premier prospects.

The Rangers are understandably seeking a marquee minor leaguer, with Fox Sports Jon Morosi listing two of the Dodgers' top talents as their primary asking price:

Clayton Kershaw's back injury shouldn't trigger an overpay, but Darvish would still make a formidable No. 2 playoff starter.

Marlins No Longer Shopping Dan Straily?

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That was fun while it lasted.

On Thursday, Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan said the Marlins will entertain offers for Dan Straily:

There's little urgency to move a 28-year-old starting pitcher still stuck in the arbitration cycle. Yet a mid-level arm with a 3.84 ERA and 1.18 WHIP hardly warrants an "untouchable" label. With the organization heading toward another grand-scale rebuild, it makes sense to dangle one of their more moveable big leaguers.

Their openness to trade Straily reportedly ended in a hurry. On Friday, USA Today's Bob Nightengale said the Marlins are no longer entertaining proposals:

MLB.com's Mark Feinsand offered a conflicting report:

Before the All-Star break, Miami Herald's Clark Spencer listed Straily alongside Christian Yelich, Marcell Ozuna, J.T. Realmuto and Justin Bour as off limits. Straily has since surrendered 19 hits and 10 runs in two starts, which perhaps led the Marlins to hear out suitors.

Whether or not they're still listening, they seem unlikely to move him by Monday afternoon. He's not a franchise cornerstone whom they must build around, but he's still their most productive starter on a small contract. 

They should keep the lines open in case someone blows them away. Otherwise, there's no hurry to sell Straily.

Zach Britton Trade Still Possible

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The Baltimore Orioles have sent out mixed messages regarding their deadline status. Just when it looked like they were ready to sell, general manager Dan Duquette indicated otherwise to reporters last Saturday, per an Associated Press report, via ESPN.com.

"That second wild card gives you a lot of hope," Duquette said. "We're going to see what we can do this week to help our ballclub and strengthen the club so we can give you a contending team year in and year out." 

After sweeping the Rangers in four games, they dropped two of three bouts to both the Astros and Rays. While close enough to keep playoff hopes alive, they must leapfrog six teams behind the American League's worst pitching staff.

In other words, they should sell despite acquiring Jeremy Hellickson on Friday night, as first reported by Heyman. Even in an injury-plagued season, closer Zach Britton would yield a substantial return.

Two days after describing the odds of a trade as "growing slimmer by the day," Crasnick said the market could receive a late surge:

He elaborated that teams are looking for assurance of Britton's health due to a forearm injury that has limited him to 18 innings this season.

Calling Britton the "most enticing, intoxicating player available," Rosenthal said Baltimore's asking price remains high despite his tumultuous year. The 29-year-old has already matched last year's run tally (seven) in 49 fewer frames while compiling 14 strikeouts and eight walks.

Yet the closer who carved out a dominant 0.54 ERA last season could shift a postseason series if healthy and utilized properly. The Dodgers and Astros are best suited to take the risk, but don't be surprised if they're unwilling to match the Orioles' high demands.