MLB rumors: 7 players to expect to see discussed final trade day

With the trade deadline coming down to the wire, the following players are swirling around the MLB rumors mill. 

The MLB trade deadline expires at 6 PM E.T., so teams across the league are hammering the phone lines in hopes of improving their team before the final buzzer sounds.

For teams in the postseason picture, it’s all about short-term growth. Pitching has been a hot commodity in recent days, with even the most well-rounded contenders eagerly accruing more arms to furnish their bullpens ahead of the stretch run.

For teams outside the postseason picture, it’s about maintaining the long view. Some teams are essentially waiving the white flag on postseason contention. The Mariners, for example, have decided to sell on multiple key contributors despite being only 5.0 games out of first place in the AL West.

Here are the key names circulating the MLB rumors mill ahead of tonight’s deadline.

MLB Rumors: Several teams interested in Mariners’ Teoscar Hernandez

The Mariners have already traded CP Paul Sewald and OF A.J. Pollock, the latter of whom was a prized offseason addition. Teoscar Hernandez fits a similar bill: he’s in his first season with Seattle and in the final year of his contract. While his lows have not approached the lows of Pollock, Hernandez has struggled to live up to expectations. He leads the league in strikeouts and is batting .238, a low mark in his career.

Teams in dire need of outfield help should gladly kick the tires on Hernandez, who still provides a lot of pop off the bat. He has 16 homers on the season and he was in the All-Star game a couple years ago. He has always been a low-contact, high-power kind of hitter and there are teams out there in need of his ability to drive in runs.

The Phillies, Blue Jays, and Giants are among “at least a half-dozen” teams interested in Hernandez, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network.