The Pirates, hunting for a fourth straight playoff appearance, aren't waiting until the last minute before the Trade Deadline to open discussions with other clubs. Pittsburgh has talked with the Yankees about potentially acquiring right-hander Nathan Eovaldi, according to a report from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Rob Biertempfel on Saturday.
Eovaldi, a 26-year-old flamethrower in his second season with the Yankees, has had an up-and-down 2016. Eovaldi is 7-6 with a 5.11 ERA in 19 games this season, and he was moved to the bullpen this month after 16 starts to open the year. He is scheduled to move back into New York's rotation this week.
The Pirates have been looking to shore up the back of their rotation, with Jon Niese, a possible trade chip, moved to the 'pen. They had previously expressed interest in Eovaldi in 2014 when he was with the Marlins, according to Biertempfel's report, but the Yankees acquired him that offseason.
Here is a look at some other rumors circulating ahead of the Aug. 1 non-waiver Trade Deadline.

Rangers seeking pitching
Texas reportedly had interest in left-hander Drew Pomeranz before Boston acquired him Thursday, but it doesn't seem that will end the American League West leaders' search for rotation help.
"We're focused on the pitching side," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said Friday on his approach to the Deadline.
So with Pomeranz off the board, who could be in play? The club has been active in talks with the Rays, who could offer right-hander Jake Odorizzi or lefty Matt Moore, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan. Texas is "casting a wide net," according to SB Nation's Chris Cotillo, and also could have interest in Atlanta's Julio Teheran, Oakland's Rich Hill and Minnesota's Ervin Santana.

Jays also after arms
It doesn't appear the Blue Jays will come anywhere close to matching last July's haul, which included David Price and Troy Tulowitzki. But Toronto, chasing a second straight AL East title, still could bolster its roster in the coming weeks.
The Jays' primary concern is their rotation, with the bullpen a secondary focus, according to Cotillo, who reported that the club is trying to avoid surrendering top pitching prospects in return.
MLB.com's Gregor Chisholm recently named Hill and Santana as starting possibilities, with righty Jeremy Jeffress of the Brewers and lefties Fernando Abad of the Twins and Jake McGee of the Rockies potential relief additions.
Could Yanks sell?
When the Yankees opened the second half by losing to the Red Sox on Friday, it dropped them below .500, at 44-45. That would seem to suggest the team is headed for a sell-off at the Deadline -- except for the fact that goes against its usual way of doing business.

As Morosi wrote, Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner must give the go-ahead for general manager Brian Cashman to ship off the likes of Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller. And with assets such as those two elite lefty relievers, plus veteran outfielders Carlos Beltrán and Brett Gardner, New York could in fact be quite active if it does decide to sell.