MLB Trade Rumors: Top 5 Teams Targeting Jose Reyes

As the season stretches on and the New York Mets fall further behind in the National League East, the Jose Reyes trade rumors will only intensify.

Many teams have been rumored to be interested in Reyes, who is set to become a free agent at the end of the season.

Though several teams have Reyes on their radar, only a handful of teams are likely to be in the running for the shortstop’s services.

Here are the top five teams that are targeting Jose Reyes.

5. Milwaukee Brewers

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MILWAUKEE - JUNE 04: Ryan Braun #8 (L) and Prince Fiedler #28 (R) of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrate after teammate Corey Hart #1 hit a three-run, inside-the-park home run in the 4th inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks on June 4, 2008 at Miller Park i

Although they just traded away a lot of their prospects for pitcher Zack Greinke, the Brewers have been rumored to be in the running for Reyes this summer.

If the Brewers are serious about acquiring Reyes, they will most likely need a third team in the mix.

Third baseman Mat Gamel would be the center piece of any deal, but the Mets already have David Wright at the hot corner.

The Brewers could ship Gamel, as well as some of their raw talent in class A ball and lower to a third team.  The third team could in turn trade prospects to the Mets.

It’s a long shot, but the hearing the Brewers’ name pop up is very interesting.

4. St. Louis Cardinals

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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 14: Albert Pujols #5 of the St Louis Cardinals is greeted by Matt Holliday #7 as he scores on his home run in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 14, 2011 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. (Photo

Though the Cardinals have a great lineup featuring Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday, Colby Rasmus and Lance Berkman, they could target Reyes to fill the void in the top of their lineup.

Shortstop Ryan Theriot doesn’t strike fear in anyone, and they could use Reyes’ speed in front of their heavy hitters. 

However, Reyes would just be a rental for the remainder of the season.  The Cardinals will let him leave at the end of the season in order to save money to resign Albert Pujols.

Although the Cardinals could instead go after pitching before the deadline, if starters Chris Carpenter, Jaime Garcia and Kyle Lohse keep performing well, St. Louis could make a run at Jose Reyes.  Having Reyes could help them get to the World Series and show Pujols that he can win another ring in St. Louis.

3. Los Angeles Angels

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ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 7: Pitching coach Mike Butcher (C) of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim meets with pitcher Jered Weaver #36 and catcher Jeff Mathis $5 during the fifth inning against the Cleveland Indians on May 7, 2011 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Cal

There have only been whispers about the Angels acquiring Jose Reyes, but those whispers include the fact that the Angels have many talented prospects they could ship to New York for Reyes.

The Angels are also in a large market with money to spend, so they could have the ability to sign Reyes after the season, much like Matt Holliday and the Cardinals a couple seasons ago.

If the Angels continue to challenge the Rangers for the AL West title, the Jose Reyes whispers could grow louder.

2. Boston Red Sox

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BOSTON, MA - MAY 08: Adrian Gonzalez #28 of the Boston Red Sox is congratulated by teammate Carl Crawford #13 after Gonzalez scored in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins on May 8, 2011 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/

The Boston Red Sox are one of two teams that have the most buzz surrounding a Jose Reyes trade.

Though Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated reports that it is “highly unlikey” that the Red Sox will give up enough to acquire Jose Reyes, things could definitely change come July.

If the Red Sox still haven’t caught the Yankees or Rays, and if Carl Crawford continues to struggle, don’t be surprised if the Red Sox start talking about acquiring the New York shortstop.

As with any big name player on the market, don’t count Boston out.

1. San Francisco Giants

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - APRIL 09: Tim Lincecum #55 of the San Francisco Giants holds up his World Series ring before the start of the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at AT&T Park on April 9, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Eric Risberg-Poo

The San Francisco Giants appear to be the favorite to land Jose Reyes if he is to be traded this summer.

Several people, including ESPN’s Buster Olney, have speculated that the defending champs could acquire Reyes.

Pitching prospect Zack Wheeler would be the key to any deal involving Reyes, along with other prospects.

Wheeler is the no. 55 prospect according to Baseball America, and the Giants already have enough pitching.  What they need is something to jolt their offense which has been subpar for a second straight season.

A Reyes-Wheeler deal makes the most sense, which is only contributing to the Reyes to San Fran rumor.