The MLB trade deadline is coming and that means rumors will be popping up everywhere and names like David Price, Marlon Byrd, Cliff Lee, AJ Burnett, Ben Zobrist, Antonio Bastardo and Jonathan Papelbon are considered targets and possible to move, as teams like the St. Louis Cardinals, Seattle Mariners, Cincinnati Reds and NY Yankees are interested in making deals.
According to Hardball Talk, the Giants, Cardinals, Mariners and Indians are interested in Price and some of those teams also could be talking to the Rays about Ben Zobrist as well. The Rays are hanging around in the AL East, but they are considering being sellers, as are the Phillies with Burnett, Byrd and Papelbon. The Mariners are right in the thick of the playoff race and they are in position in the wild card and are in desperate need of a right handed bat. Byrd and Zobrist have both been mentioned as targets for the team.
Price has been the main target of talks because he has not signed a long term deal with the Rays and is close to free agency. The Rays don't usually pay players what Price should get on the market and now teams are looking at deals for him, but some are weary of making a move without a commitment from Price. The Mariners are looking at a deal knowing that Price will likely not sign an extension, while the Cardinals are interested in Price, but only if he is going to sign a deal with the team.
According to Hardball Talk, the Cardinals are interested in making a deal for Price since the team is dealing with a number of injuries in the rotation, but they do not want to give up a top prospect just to see Price walk in two years. The Mariners are not as worried, as they see this two year window as a time for them to make the playoffs and they can deal with getting a draft pick if Price leaves as a free agent after next season. The Cardinals likely would have to part with Oscar Taveras or Carlos Martinez and to do that, which is why they are looking at him making a commitment to the team.
Price has been very solid this season and he has a 3.00 ERA and over 150 strikeouts this season despite playing for a bad team and he continues to pitch well. The Cardinals know that Price is a great pitcher, but they are looking at keeping him long term if they make a deal and he likely would cost over $100 million and that is a lot for the Cards to shell out. The Reds are looking to make deals and Hardball Talk reports they are interested in Byrd and Bastardo from the Phillies.
The Pirates are looking back at former starter AJ Burnett, while the Giants and Mariners could battle for Zobrist. The Rays have Zobrist as a main target and he could move over Price. The Yankees are in desperate need of pitching and many teams will be looking for that at the deadline.