Trade rumors: Brewers, Diamondbacks discussing Gallardo, others

The Milwaukee Brewers and Arizona Diamondbacks are in the midst of trade talks involving Brewers' pitchers Yovani Gallardo, Francisco Rodriguez, Jim Henderson and John Axford, according to Jon Morosi of FOXSports.com. CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman adds that Arizona's top pitching propect Tyler Skaggs has been discussed as well. While no deal seems to be close or imminent, Morosi notes that the discussions are "ongoing".

The Diamondbacks are targeting young and controllable starters in advance of the trade deadline, and have been linked to both Gallardo and Cubs' ace Jeff Samardzija, who is unlikely to be traded. Although Gallardo has a ten-team no-trade clause, he can not block trades to Arizona, as MLBDailyDish's Chris Cotillo reported last week.

Milwaukee, known to be sellers as the deadline approaches, may move Gallardo, Rodriguez, Henderson, Axford, lefty Michael Gonzalez and third baseman Aramis Ramirez before the 31st. They are looking for top prospects in return, so the Diamondbacks' deep farm system would seem to indicate a possible fit for a Gallardo trade.

Skaggs' name has been the one discussed already, and others will likely be mentioned in the coming days. The Diamondbacks also have assets like Randall Delgado, Archie Bradley, and Charles Brewer who may be more likely to be moved than Skaggs, who Steve Gilbert of MLB.com says the D-Backs have "no interest" in moving.

The Diamondbacks lack of interest in Marlins' starter Ricky Nolasco, who has drawn interest from the other four NL West teams, shows that they are primarily focused on a Gallardo trade at this point.