Rumor Mill Roundup: July 21

With the trade deadline right around the corner, our MLB editor brings you the top five rumors every day until July 31.

- The Mets have no idea what to expect from Ryan Church the rest of the way and the Fernando Tatis-Endy Chavez combination in left field probably isn't going to cut, so everyone, including manager Jerry Manuel, is expecting the team to add an outfielder before the trade deadline. Just don't expect that outfielder to be of the Adam Dunn or Matt Holliday variety -- they just don't have the chips. New York has one of the shallowest farm systems in baseball as a consequence of the Johan Santana trade, particularly in the coveted major-league ready category.

That leaves the Mets looking at players like Xavier Nady, Raul Ibanez and Casey Blake, which really is fine. They need an upgrade on what they currently have in left field and some insurance for their injured right fielder to win the NL East, not a star player.

- The Cubs have already added starter Rich Harden and reliever Chad Gaudin, but they're still looking for pitching. A high-ranking team official took in A.J. Burnett's last start for the Blue Jays. A looming DL trip for closer Kerry Wood could change the team's focus, though. Wood's injury is not believed to be serious, but the team's bullpen was heavily taxed over the first half, and now they're down their best arm. Suddenly Damaso Marte, Brian Fuentes and Huston Street have to be looking pretty good to GM Jim Hendry.

- The Red Sox have been awfully quiet the last few weeks. Part of that is their front office strategy, but part of it is also their wait-and-see approach with David Ortiz. He's looked as good as ever in rehab, so Boston is likely turning its attention to a bullpen that ranks 11th in the American League in ERA, writes the Boston Herald's Michael Silverman. The Red Sox are hoping that Justin Masterson will transition smoothly into their major league bullpen and that they won't need to add a setup man externally. Even if Masterson is a revelation, Boston is still probably going to want another arm like Fuentes or Marte.

- Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter are likely to return to St. Louis' rotation in August, but just what kind of boost they'll provide remains to be seen, especially in the case of Carpenter who hasn't faced major league hitters since last season. That leaves Cardinals GM John Mozeliak in a tough spot as he assesses possible moves before the deadline. I still like Burnett, who was born in Arkansas and grew up a Cards fan, to end up in St. Louis.

- The Tigers are still in the race and reluctant to trade Ivan Rodriguez as a result, but if Detroit falls out of contention there is a good chance it could sneak the catcher through waivers sometime in August.