Rumor roundup: Deals ignite Deadline talk

The Trade Deadline dominoes have started to fall, with Scott Kazmir going to the Astros and Aramis Ramirez headed back to Pittsburgh.

Those deals have only served to ignite the rest of the rumor mill. Eight days remain until the non-waiver Deadline hits, and the trade frenzy has already begun. Here's a look at some of the more high-profile rumors from Thursday.

• David Price turned in another ace-caliber performance on Wednesday, but the Tigers squandered his eight solid frames with an extra-innings loss to the Mariners. Price doesn't appear to be on the block right now, but if the Tigers drift much further from contention in the next week, things could change.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports reports that it's unlikely the Tigers bring back Price for the 2016 season. (Price is a free agent after this year.) The Tigers evidently feel they'll have a hard time signing Price, who could ask for Max Scherzer-type money in the offseason. Scherzer was offered a $144 million extension from the Tigers, which he turned down -- a decision that ultimately earned him another $66 million when he signed with the Nationals instead.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale tweeted that Price is at the very top of the Dodgers' wish list -- and certainly other teams must feel the same way. Price, after all, is 9-3 with a 2.31 ERA. But Nightengale adds that the Tigers won't make a decision on Price until next week.

As it currently stands, Detroit is very much in contention, four games behind Minnesota for the second Wild Card spot. But the Tigers' situation could change in the next eight days. If it does, the news that Price probably won't be back for the 2016 season could affect whether the Tigers decide to keep him in '15.

• The Toronto Blue Jays, who were reportedly among the teams interested in Kazmir, are in dire need of starting pitching, and Reds ace Johnny Cueto could be at the top of their list.

As it happens, MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports that Reds general manager Walt Jocketty was given the "green light" by ownership to begin a rebuilding phase. Jocketty, however, clarified, saying, "We're not going to give away players."

• The Royals need pitching, too, and Jon Morosi of FOXSports tweets that they're also in the mix for Cueto, as well as Yovani Gallardo. Writing for FOXSports.com, Dave Cameron says no team needs Cueto more than the Royals.

Sources: Royals considering Yovani Gallardo and Johnny Cueto, among many other options for their rotation. @FOXSports

- Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 23, 2015

As for Gallardo, the Rangers and Dodgers have evidently had discussions about the right-hander, but no deal is close. Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News says Texas may hang on to Gallardo if the return isn't great. In that case, the Rangers would guarantee themselves at least a compensatory first-round Draft pick when Gallardo -- a free-agent-to-be -- turns down his qualifying offer.

• The Braves could be one of the more active teams at this season's Trade Deadline, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. All three of their Johnsons appear to be on the block -- Chris, Jim and Kelly, that is. And if the Braves can find a contender interested in catcher A.J. Pierzynski, he could be dealt, too.

But the big name -- ace Julio Teheran -- is likely to stay put, at least until the winter, according to both MLB.com and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Bowman said the Braves have also been asked about Nick Markakis, who is unavailable.

• MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reports that at least four teams are in on Marlins reliever Steve Cishek -- the Cardinals and the Twins are evidently among them. Cishek, who is having a bit of a down year, is arbitration-eligible at the end of the season but won't become a free agent until after the 2017 season.