Orioles trade rumors: Bud Norris, Matt Garza among possibilities

The Baltimore Orioles, currently 2.5 games behind the Boston Red Sox in the AL East, are in the midst of a comprehensive search to add an established starting pitcher before the trade deadline.

Here's a rundown of some of the possibilities:

Bud Norris (Astros)

The Orioles are "highly interested" in Houston Astros' starter Bud Norris and have had multiple talks with Houston in recent days, according to MASN.com's Roch Kubatko. Norris, who has been linked to the Pirates and Giants in trade rumors, is one of the most likely arms to get traded in early July. While many teams seem interested in him, Baltimore seems to have the most serious interest in him to this point and may emerge as the favorite to acquire him as other teams shift their focus to other starter options on the market.

Orioles 'aggressively pursuing' rotation upgrades, sitting on 2B

Baltimore is considering Ricky Nolasco, Bud Norris, Jason Vargas, and others -- but will likely stand pat at 2nd base.

Matt Garza (Cubs)

After being lukewarm on him at first, the Orioles now have interest in Chicago Cubs' starter Matt Garza, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.

Heyman adds that the O's currently find the Cubs' asking price for Garza to be too high, although they have scouted him in recent days, according to a report from MLB.com's Carrie Muskat.

As detailed in yesterday's piece, Garza is expected to be traded very soon and is drawing interest from many teams.

Yovani Gallardo (Brewers)

Milwaukee Brewers' starter Yovani Gallardo, who may be the most attractive pitcher on the trade market this summer, seems like a perfect fit for the Orioles, but they are one of ten teams on his no-trade list, as MLBDailyDish's Chris Cotillo reported yesterday. Because the Brewers would like to make a deal with no restrictions, Gallardo to the Orioles is an unlikely scenario at this point.

Ricky Nolasco (Marlins)

Miami Marlins' righty Ricky Nolasco, who is expected to be traded very soon, has been consistently linked to the Orioles, but Ken Rosenthal and Jon Morosi of FOXSports.com report that they are "less confident' in their chances to acquire him. The Dodgers, Padres, and Giants are seen as Nolasco's most serious suitors, and a deal should happen soon.

Edinson Volquez (Padres)

The Orioles and San Diego Padres may be able to match up on a July trade, according to Bill Center of U-T San Diego, who writes that Baltimore is interested in Edinson Volquez and San Diego is interested in Orioles' righty Jake Arrieta. With the Padres known to be active in talks for other starters, they are not expected to move Volquez before the deadline.

Other options:

The Orioles are also looking at Andrew Cashner (Padres), Scott Feldman (Cubs), Jake Peavy (White Sox), and Joe Saunders (Mariners), according to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun.

More from MLB Daily Dish:

• Brewers trade rumors: Yovani Gallardo has a ten-team no-trade list
• Cubs trade rumors: Matt Garza drawing interest from many teams
• Yankees rumors: Robinson Cano likely headed for free agency
• Phillies trade rumors: Red Sox, Yankees interested in Michael Young
• Join the MLBDD community and write a fanpost!