MLB Trade Rumors: Which Divisions Are Most Likely To Be Affected?

The MLB trade deadline is only a week away, and rumors are being shoved down our throats. While many teams are set for large makeovers, which divisions are ready to change the most?

The AL West and NL West are both close races at the top, but they shouldn't change much. The Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Angels just don't seem primed to make any big moves, and I don't see them catching the San Francisco Giants or Texas Rangers, respectively.

In the NL East, the Philadelphia Phillies hold a six-game lead over the Atlanta Braves, while the New York Mets are another 8.5 games behind Atlanta. There's too much separation, and too much of a likelihood that the Phils will make a move, to indicate much change in that division.

That leaves the AL East, AL Central and NL Central as the three divisions most likely to see major movement. Here's a closer look at those divisions.

AL East

The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees are separated by just three games, and while the rest of the division won't change much, you can rest assured that these big clubs will be making moves. 

With these teams, it's not really a question of who they've been linked to, but a question of who they haven't been linked to. 

You hear it all. Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com has them both interested in Ubaldo Jimenez and Wandy Rodriguez. ESPNBoston.com confirms the Red Sox like Carlos Beltran. The Yanks want James Shields, and Heath Bell is a target. Hunter Pence may be on Boston's radar.

It doesn't stop, but that's the nature of this time of year, and in reality, both of these clubs actually will make deals, so expect a bit of a shake-up near the top of the East.  

AL Central

If I had to make a prediction, I would guess that the Detroit Tigers keep their lead in the AL Central—I would put very little money on that guess, though.

The Central is wide open right now. The Cleveland Indians are just one game back, the Chicago White Sox are 3.5 games back and even the Minnesota Twins are a reasonable seven games out. 

On top of that, none of these teams are powerhouses, as Detroit leads the division with just a .529 winning percentage. Anything can happen.

The Tigers and Indians have already made it very clear that they are buyers, but don't sleep on the White Sox or Twins making moves. The Sox have reportedly "accelerated" talks with St. Louis about center fielder Colby Rasmus.

The Twins, on the other hand, aren't going after any huge names, but it appears they are interested in reliever Koji Uehara, and are holding on to Michael Cuddyer. The Twins certainly have the talent to get back into the race, and it seems they have the same thoughts.

With four teams ready to make noise (whether it be loud or quiet) at the deadline, this division seems sure to see some type of mix-up.  

NL Central

There is no division with a tighter race than the NL Central. Currently, the Pittsburgh Pirates, Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals are all tied for the division lead.

The Cincinnati Reds, last year's division champion, are just three games out. 

All of these teams are going to be buyers at the deadline, and in fact, the Milwaukee Brewers have already made a move, acquiring reliever Francisco Rodriguez from the Mets. 

The Reds have been linked to Ubaldo Jimenez, the Cardinals have interest in Heath Bell and the Pirates like Carlos Beltran, Carlos Pena and Hunter Pence.

Those aren't small names. The NL Central is ready to make a huge splash, and considering how close the teams are currently, you can be guaranteed there will be a big shake-up in a couple of weeks.