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

- So what are those pesky Yankees up to anyway? First things first: they are absolutely in the AL East race, just three games behind the Red Sox and 3 1/2 behind division-leading Tampa Bay. They've also got clear needs -- namely pitching depth and offensive help, either at catcher, now that Jorge Posada's season is in doubt, or at one of the corners.


New York's top brass will meet tomorrow in Tampa to discuss what, if any, moves they should make before the deadline, but indications are that the team is willing to deal prospects and make a run. The name with the most heat is Mariners left-hander Jarrod Washburn, who wouldn't be a flashy pickup, but would give the Yankees a reliable innings-eater to put at the back of their rotation. He'd certainly be an upgrade over Darrell Rasner or Sidney Ponson. Seattle is not impressed with center fielder Melky Cabrera, but has been scouting New York's Double-A affiliate Trenton. That's where the Yankees' top hitting prospect, Austin Jackson, has been playing all year.

- Concerns about Huston Street's performance and stuff don't seem to be scaring off teams. According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Reds have shown some interest in the Oakland closer. Cincinnati GM Walt Jocketty certainly can't consider his team a contender, but there is reason to think it can make a run as soon as next season, and Street isn't eligible to be a free agent for another three years. He also has two players with uncertain futures -- Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr. Dunn is the type of player you'd figure A's GM Billy Beane would covet, but he might have to send more than Street to land the slugger.

- The Rockies continue to ask quite a bit for closer Brian Fuentes, demanding a premium starting pitching prospect from the teams interested. In the case of the Red Sox, they are believed to have asked for Clay Buchholz, in the case of the Yankees for Ian Kennedy and in the case of the Rays for Wade Davis. Fuentes would make an excellent addition to any contender's bullpen, but not at that kind of price.

- The Padres have already dealt Randy Wolf and Tony Clark, but they might not be finished. GM Kevin Towers says he is unlikely to trade any of his younger players, including third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff, but Greg Maddux and right fielder Brian Giles remain possibilities. With a no-trade clause, Maddux could be difficult to move and he's rumored to only want a deal to a West Coast team, making the Dodgers one of the only possibilities. Giles, who has 10-5 rights (10 years in the majors, five years with his current team), can also block a trade. Given Jim Edmonds' resurgence once he got out of spacious Petco Park, Giles could make sense for quite a few contenders looking for a corner outfield bat.

- The Red Sox are believed to have scouted both Pittsburgh's available relievers, Damaso Marte and John Grabow. Given Justin Masterson's sparkling debut in relief today (2 2/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 K), they might start to cool on adding another arm to their bullpen. Many scouts have tabbed Masterson as an elite reliever down the line anyway.