MLB Trade Rumors: 5 Teams Most Likely Looking to Trade with the Houston Astros

With the MLB trade deadline less than a week away, the Houston Astros have a few important decisions to make.

All-Star Hunter Pence and borderline ace Wandy Rodriguez are two of the major players that've been rumored around the trade market.

Pence, according to SI.com, is going to be hard to get, but the right package could land the elite outfielder somewhere outside of the NL Central.

Rodriguez, on the other hand, according to Jayson Stark and other numerous reports, has been thoroughly discussed in different trade scenarios over the past few days, making it nearly imminent that the 'Stros best pitcher will be dealt.

It's a possibility that other low-key positional players like Bill Hall and Clint Barmes are also on the market, according to Jayson Stark once again.

Maybe even Michael Bourn could stand to leave, but who knows at this point.

Regardless of what actually happens over the next few days, all rumors aside, some team is going to be very happy if they land one of these dynamic players in their prime.

Here are the top five teams that are most likely to do business with Houston by the end of the week.

5. Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers need a solid No. 2 starting pitcher.

Considering Colby Lewis has been relatively unpredictable from start to start thus far, Matt Harrison is inexperienced in the postseason as well as performing deep into the year and Alexi Ogando is bound to decrease in stamina in his first full season ever, the time is now to go out and grab Wandy Rodriguez.

Houston has already entertained different offers from teams regarding Rodriguez, who would be a great addition to any starter-starved playoff contender.

If you add him, along with the Rangers dynamic offense, he could turn out to be one of the most productive pitchers in the second half of the season and into October.

For the Astros, trading Rodriguez to Texas could make a a lot of sense if Nolan Ryan and company are willing to deal either Mitch Moreland or Derek Holland in return.

Either way, Rodriguez makes for a great fit in Arlington and is the only reason why the Rangers should entertain talks with Houston over the next few days.

4. San Francisco Giants

There are two reasons why the San Francisco Giants should consider trade talks with the Houston Astros.

One being the elusive Hunter Pence, and the other being the readily available Clint Barmes.

Shortstop Brandon Crawford hasn't worked out too well on the offensive side of things for the Giants and manager Bruce Bochy, compiling a horrific .200 average through 145 at-bats.

Barmes, on the other hand, has hit .320 over his last 50 plate appearances with three home runs and six RBI, making him a great upgrade candidate for a struggling offense.

Upgrading Barmes for Crawford could be a huge move for the Giants even if they still try to pry Carlos Beltran away from New York.

Sometimes it's the little deals that can put a team over the top. With the pitching they have, acquiring a more productive shortstop could launch the Giants back into World Series contention.

As for Hunter Pence, I think it's pretty obvious that the Giants would take him at this point, but they'd have to surely surrender either Brandon Belt or Madison Bumgarner.

3. New York Yankees

It's no secret that the New York Yankees need a starting pitcher.

Similar to the Texas Rangers, New York has failed to produce a clear-cut No. 2 option that can consistently win after C.C. Sabathia lays down his usually weekly smack down.

At one point, A.J. Burnett looked like he could command that role heading into the postseason, but his ERA has fell to a lackluster 4.21.

Add that to the fact that Phil Hughes has looked just as bad as he did before his recovery from "dead arm." Also add the issue with age and longevity regarding Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia, and general manager Brian Cashman has one serious problem on his hands.

That's where Wandy Rodriguez comes into play.

Besides maybe Hiroki Kuroda, he's one of the most readily available No. 2 pitchers around and could easily reshape his winning success by leaving Houston and putting on pinstripes.

Because let's be honest, do you really think the Yankees are going to sit on their explosive offense and let pitching ruin their playoff chances?

I doubt it.  Count on something being worked out soon.

2. Atlanta Braves

Unlike the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers, the Atlanta Braves have pitching.

To be exact, they have plenty of it to last them well into the playoffs.

With that said, I think it's about time for Atlanta to add a bat.

It's been pretty evident that Jason Heyward is not going to regain his 2010 form anytime this season, so it's safe to say he's out of the equation for a second-half surge.

Dan Uggla, who the Braves acquired before the start of the season, is starting to hit for power, but his average is still a dismal .198.

Combine that with the fact that Chipper Jones is a walking mummy, and acquiring a consistent bat becomes a dyer need for the team going forward.

At this point, it seems that if Hunter Pence were to be traded, he'd go to Atlanta.

The Braves have a very sufficient artillery at their disposal, including prospects Julio Teheran, Jonny Venters, Mike Minor and even Brandon Beachy.

If Atlanta can manage to escape this week with Pence in a Braves uniform, they could easily make up the six-game hole they're currently facing in the NL East.

1. St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals come in at No. 1 for one reason.

Colby Rasmus.

Rasmus has consistently been thrown into the fire of MLB trade talks over the past few weeks and seemingly is ready to leave town.

If the young outfielder is moved sometime over the next few days, what better of a fit then dealing him to Houston for Hunter Pence.

Who knows, the Astros may even consider doing a clean swap when you take into account that Rasmus is four years younger.

Even if the Cardinals have to thrown in a prospect or two in order to land Pence, it would instantly make them favorites to win the tightly woven NL Central.

Alongside Albert Pujols, Lance Berkman and Matt Holliday, Pence could be in line for the best two months of baseball he's ever played.

This has got to be a serious notion on the minds of Cardinals' management.