The MLB trade deadline is fast approaching and with a number of teams in contention and dealing with injuries and weak spots on the roster, teams will be looking to deal and some of the biggest names include Matt Garza, Alex Rios, Tim Lincecum and Phil Hughes.
There are a number of teams that will be looking for a trade and some that have been mentioned in talks include the Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers, Cardinals, Rockies and Red Sox among others, while the Mariners, Cubs and Astros all could be sellers. Garza appears to be the most likely name to get traded, as the Cubs are out of it and he has pitched well of late, starting 11 games with a 3.17 ERA and 62/20 K/BB ratio in 71 innings and he will be one of the prizes of the deadline.
Garza has been linked to a number of teams, including the Cardinals, Blue Jays, Rangers, and Indians and he can be a top of the line starter for most teams. The Cubs are hoping to get some solid pieces for Garza and Theo Epstein will wait until he gets a deal that he likes before pulling the trigger. ESPN is reporting that the Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays are the top contenders for Garza and the trade talk should heat up in the coming weeks.
Alex Rios has turned himself into a trade option with the way he has played this year, as he is hitting above .270 with 11 homers, 40 RBI and 19 steals and teams were impressed with what he did lasts season, hitting .304 with 25 home runs, 91 RBI and 23 stolen bases. The Rangers could also be in the market for Rios after Josh Hamilton left last season and he also could go to a team like the Rockies or the Tigers.
Hughes has been mentioned in talks all season and even though his stats of 4-9 record and a 4.57 ERA aren't great, he has pitched better than that at times and could be valuable down the stretch. After his no-hitter, Lincecum has also been targeted by a number of teams, including the Tigers according to Fox Sports.
