Rays moving closer to trading Jeremy Hellickson

The Rays are moving closer on a trade that would send right-hander Jeremy Hellickson to a National League team, according to a report from Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Though the favorite to land Hellickson is not yet known, Sherman predicts that a deal will likely get done by the end of the week.

According to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, the Diamondbacks are one of the teams interested in Hellickson, who sources say was drawing at least mild interest from as many as ten clubs last week. The 27-year old has struggled over the past two seasons while being hampered with some injuries, but will likely net a solid return for the Rays as a result of his two great seasons in 2011 and 2012, when he posted ERAs of 2.95 and 3.10, respectively.

Speculation in media reports today has had the Phillies and Braves as potential landing spots for Hellickson, though the Braves seem to be an unlikely destination due to their unwillingness to add another question mark to their rotation mix. Pure speculation based on team needs here, but I could see the Marlins, Cubs, Pirates and Dodgers as good fits for Hellickson.