MLB

We're coming up on the 2014 MLB trade deadline, and trade rumors are heating up. Baseball fans know about big-name players on the trading block like David Price, but what about some surprise stars who might be traded?

Check out Scott Miller break down the biggest surprise stars who could be traded at the 2014 deadline. 

All stats accurate as of July 25.

Don't look away now. The MLB player-swapping season is just days away from ending (except for the occasional waiver-wire deal), and every team is exploring potential angles for success.

There is no shortage of trade talk with the July 31 deadline fast approaching. Let's take a look at the latest rumors on tap in the majors. 

Cardinals Showing Interest in Peavy

Once a year, tiny Cooperstown, New York becomes the most important sports town in America.  

The transformation occurs when baseball's year class of historic greats is ceremoniously inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, forever cementing their status as heroes and ambassadors of our national pastime.

This year's class is a truly remarkable one. It features two 300-game winners, a member of the 500-home run club and three managers with eight World Series rings between them.

Much of the focus in baseball this time of year revolves around the trade deadline, but this weekend Cooperstown, New York, will take center stage for the 2014 Baseball Hall of Fame ceremony. 

There are times when it is hard to get excited about a Hall of Fame class, like last year when the only people inducted were a former executive (Jacob Ruppert), a player who died in 1939 (Deacon White) and an umpire (Hank O'Day).

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig once again illustrated why he's one of the most exciting players in baseball Friday night, leading the offensive charge by tying a club record with three triples in an 8-1 win over

The final weekend before the trade deadline is upon us, so all the rumors and speculation are dominating the discussion points across Major League Baseball at the moment.

That doesn't mean everything over the past week has been centered on what may or may not happen by July 31, though. Numerous players may be swapping shirts in the coming days, but there is still plenty of action on the field.

After watching the games, analyzing the numbers and dissecting the rumors, the most important narratives of the week have emerged. And here are the biggest takeaways.

If Yasiel Puig is having a sophomore slump, it might be the best sophomore slump of all time.

There's been a lot of handwringing lately about the Los Angeles Dodgers' second-year outfielder. He's hit just one home run since June 1 and had a disastrous showing in the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game.

The swagger, suddenly, has turned to uncertainty.

With the All-Star Game behind us, it's time for the real season to begin. One advantage of Major League Baseball's extensive regular season is that it gives younger players plenty of time to develop.

The second half of the MLB season always features the emergence of several star players. Whether they are on a team chasing a division title, or in the midst of a rebuilding process, they should now be comfortable and see an increase in their performance level. 

Updates from Saturday, July 26

MLB Lineups reports Josh Hamilton is not in the Angels' lineup:

James Schmehl of MLive provides more details:

Original Text:

This is Derek Jeter's final season playing baseball, and he's enjoying every second of it.

Friday's game between the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays was just another example.

In the third inning, teammate Ichiro Suzuki homered for the first time since last August. When he arrived back to the dugout, Jeter gave him a blank stare.