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The trade deadline season is just above the horizon, and the stove is starting to heat up as the Rays issued a trade to the Kansas City Royals. The Tampa Bay Rays have sent right-handed pitcher Joey Krehbiel to the Royals in exchange for cash considerations.

But as the July 31 trade deadline approaches, that seems like the much more likely outcome. In the past month, the Red Sox have gotten scorching hot and the Rays have fallen all the way down to 53-52, right on the border of "sell" territory.

C HICAGO –– With the MLB trade deadline approaching on Thursday, the White Sox made a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays. Minor league infielder Tristan Gray is headed to Tampa in exchange for cash considerations, the White Sox announced.

With their infield depleted by injuries, the Rays turned to a familiar face to upgrade their depth on Saturday. Tampa Bay acquired infielder Tristan Gray from the White Sox for cash considerations and added him to the active roster in Cincinnati.

There might be a new, tantalizing, and downright 'perfect' fit for Craig Breslow and the Boston Red Sox on the trade deadline market.

The Tampa Bay Rays are struggling, and if they sell at the deadline, the Boston Red Sox seem like an ideal fit for Yandy Diaz, ESPN's Buster Olney says.

The direction the team will go and how much it will do still seem to be in play as Thursday’s deadline approaches.