Speculation surrounds Carl Crawford as non-waiver trade deadline looms

The non-waiver trade deadline looms later this month, and you can expect more contenders and bottom feeders will do what the Oakland Athletics and Chicago Cubs have already done. The A’s bulked up; the Cubs dumped salary. Here’s a look at some other players who might change places:

National League

Trade speculation quickly swirled around Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford after he recently returned from an injury and was relegated to a bench role. The Dodgers are paying Crawford $20.25 million this season and owe him another $62.25 million through 2017, so it’ll cost them to trade him.

Two relievers also are hot topics ahead of the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline: Jonathan Papelbon of the Philadelphia Phillies, who has 22 saves and a 1.21 ERA, and Huston Street of the San Diego Padres, who has 24 saves and a 1.09 ERA.

The Padres might shop veteran third baseman Chase Headley and the Miami Marlins might be willing to trade third baseman Casey McGehee, who is batting .319 with 53 RBIs.

American League

Two left-handed starting pitchers could be moved: David Price of the Tampa Bay Rays, who leads the league in strikeouts with 164, and John Danks of the Chicago White Sox, who is 8-6 with a 3.99 ERA.

But a question looms regarding Price: After a terrible start, Tampa Bay has played better of late despite still being 9 1/2 games out of first place. If the Rays gain on the leaders, would they want to part with Price?

Shortstop Elvis Andrus of the Rangers (.265, two home runs, 22 RBIs) is another candidate with last-place Texas looking to rebuild. But Andrus’ eight-year, $118-million contract extension that starts next year could be an impediment.

And with Oakland recently bulking up its starting rotation by trading for Chicago Cubs ace Jeff Samardzija and right-hander Jason Hammel, some wonder if the Angels will acquire more pitching to keep pace.

Although the Angels recently acquired relievers Jason Grilli from Pittsburgh and Joe Thatcher from Arizona, there’s speculation the club might pursue Street, or starters such as Price or Philadelphia’s Cole Hamels.