Rumors and speculation are at the forefront of the Major League Baseball world this week, as the July 31,  non-waiver trade deadline approaches on 4 p.m. ET Wednesday. 

Every team, good or bad, has a specific plan that they want to execute this time of year. If you are a bad or disappointing team, you want to look toward 2014 and beyond by trading aging players and expiring contracts to replenish your system. 

On the flip side, the teams that really drive the deadline are contenders. Those that have identified their flaws, carried out plenty of scouting, and preparing offers they hope will satisfy the other general managers. 

If only things were that simple. Right now, what we get is a lot of whispers from around the league that will end up being nothing more than that. Bringing in a second wild-card team to each league has given more hope to franchises that otherwise would be planning their offseason moves. 

As we look at all the latest news and rumors coming out, here are our thoughts on what is being said. 

4 p.m. ET

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