Positives are hard to find for the bottom feeders of Major League Baseball.The trade deadline presents struggling franchises with an opportunity to recoup their losses and invest in their future by bringing in prospects in exchange for stars who can make an impact for contending teams.Most of the last-place teams in the American and National Leagues have already been mentioned in the rumor mill http://www.dodgersfanproshop.com/authentic-mark-lowe-jersey , and as contenders get more desperate to make additions, more speculation about potential moves will come about.Below is a look at the latest buzz surrounding teams that are expected to be sellers over the next two weeks. Baltimore OriolesBaltimore's first, and most important, order of business was taken care of Wednesday, as Manny Machado was shipped to the Los Angeles Dodgers for a quintet of prospects.Baltimore Orioles OriolesThe Orioles have acquired OF Yusniel D铆az, INF Rylan Bannon, RHP Breyvic Valera, RHP Dean Kremer, and RHP Zach Pop from the L.A. Dodgers in exchange for INF Manny Machado. #BirdlandSince the only thing the Orioles have to play for is the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 MLB draft, they should be one of the top sellers at the trade deadline.The top target remaining on the roster of the fifth-place team in the AL East is Zach Britton, who is generating interest from a handful of teams.According to MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli, interest is picking up in Britton with Machado off to Los Angeles:Brittany Ghiroli Britt_GhiroliWhen Machado is officially traded, Orioles could move quickly on Britton. Interest in him has picked up steam.In addition to Britton, Mychal Givens could be on the move, as MLB Network's Jon Morosi noted the Indians are among the teams that have discussed a deal for the 28-year-old pitcher.Jon Morosi jonmorosiSource: #Indians and #Orioles have discussed Mychal Givens, among numerous players Kenta Maeda Jersey , in recent trade talks. Cleveland is prioritizing controllable relievers comfortable with appearances of 4+ outs, and that describes Givens. MLB MLBNetworkThe Indians could also be in play for outfielder Adam Jones, as Morosi noted the AL teams have been in contact about multiple players:Jon Morosi jonmorosiAdam Jones to #Indians is among the viable trade possibilities as Baltimore and Cleveland continue dialogue on multiple players. Indians looking for a right-handed outfield bat. Jim Leyland raved about Jones鈥?leadership qualifies in WBCBaseball. 馃嚭馃嚫 MLBNetwork MLBWith a rebuild in full effect with Machado out the door, it would be wise of the Orioles to dump Britton, Givens and Jones if possible in order to reload their farm system with prospects.By trading away most of the marquee names on their roster, the Orioles also give younger players an opportunity to gain experience in the majors, which could be a valuable asset two or three years down the road. San Diego PadresSan Diego offloaded its top trade target Thursday, as Brad Hand was shipped to the Indians along with Adam Cimber in exchange for catcher/outfielder Francisco Mejia.San Diego Padres PadresOFFICIAL: The #Padres acquire top prospect C/OF Francisco Mej铆a from the Indians; send LHP Brad Hand and RHP Adam Cimber to Cleveland: 4QkmsU09qn oCN6WsEQ5EAlthough the Padres only got one player in return for Hand, who is under contract until 2021, they received one of the top prospects in baseball.According to MLB.com, Mejia is the No. 15 prospect in baseball, which gives the Padres nine of the top 100 prospects.Hand might not be the only player leaving the Padres before July 31, as they've received significant interest in Kirby Yates and some in Tyson Ross as well, per MLB.com's Mark Feinsand:Mark Feinsand FeinsandThe Hand deal could be just the first of many for the Padres. A source says San Diego has drawn significant interest in RHP Kirby Yates, and to a lesser degree, RHP Tyson Ross.Yates is 3-0 with 48 strikeouts in 39 appearances out of the bullpen Matt Kemp Jersey , which is depleted after Hand and Cimber were sent to Cleveland.Ross could be an intriguing option for the teams in need of starting pitchers, but there will be concerns about his consistency, as he gave up 15 earned runs in his first two starts in July.The 31-year-old hasn't picked up a victory since June 3, but his last outing against the Dodgers, in which he gave up three hits and two earned runs in 6.1 innings, gave potential suitors an insight in to what he can do on a winning team.The Padres already received an ideal return for their top trade target, so any other players they receive in potential trades for Ross and Yates are an added bonus to their haul. Kansas City RoyalsJust three years after winning the World Series, the Kansas City Royals are languishing in the cellar of the AL Central at 27-68.While most of the stars from that squad have moved on, one key component remains on the roster, at least for now.With Machado off the market, Mike Moustakas is one of the most intriguing players left on the trade market, and there's plenty of interest in the 29-year-old third baseman.According to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick, the Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves have interest in Moustakas, as well as the New York Yankees:Jerry Crasnick jcrasnickThe #RedSox and #Braves are both interested in Mike Moustakas as a trade deadline acquisition, sources say. The #Yankees have already been mentioned as a potential landing spot. Theres enough of a market for Moose that its more likely than not the Royals deal him this month.Moustakas has 19 home runs and 58 RBI in 91 games for the Royals, and if he continues on his current pace Rich Hill Jersey , he'll eclipse his career highs in both categories.The market for Moustakas will be established based on the right fit. For example, Philadelphia was a better fit for Machado since he could've filled a void at shortstop. If Moustakas were to be traded to the Phillies, they'd have to shuffle around their infield.The Braves, Yankees and Red Sox would be more natural fits for Moustakas, as they have holes to fill at third base.There might be another Royals infielder on the move before July 31, as second baseman Whit Merrifield could generate some interest.Fancred's Jon Heyman reported before the All-Star break that the Milwaukee Brewers, Phillies and Red Sox were mentioned as potential trade partners with Kansas City.Merrifield is batting .307 with 109 hits, five home runs, 30 RBI and 17 stolen bases. As a well-rounded part of the lineup, the 29-year-old would be a nice addition to a contender, but unfortunately for the Royals, he would come at a cheaper price than someone with a higher profile than Machado or Moustakas. Follow Joe on Twitter, JTansey90.Statistics obtained from Baseball Reference. CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs realize if they are going to maintain their cushion in the National League Central that winning on a consistent basis will go a long way.And as the Cubs prepare to welcome the New York Mets to Wrigley Field for a three-game series starting Monday, they may have found the kind of rhythm they have been looking for all season — and precisely at the right time.The Cubs are riding a five-game winning streak after sweeping the Cincinnati Reds with a 9-0 victory on Sunday. Daniel Murphy continues to pace the offense from the leadoff spot and David Bote added another home run to keep the Cubs rolling.Article continues below ...The Cubs finished the four-game series by scoring 29 runs. They have scored at least seven runs in four of their past five games.But if the Cubs hope to continue to keep their streak intact, Monday starter and ace Jon Lester will have to deal with a Mets team that has found its stride as well.The Mets couldn’t finish off a sweep of the Washington Nationals in a 15-0 loss on Sunday, but New York has been finding success of late just the same.The Mets will enter the series having won four of their past six games and hope to bounce back from Sunday’s lopsided loss.Lester (14-5 http://www.dodgersfanproshop.com/authentic-alex-wood-jersey , 3.64 ERA) takes the mound on a bit of a roll after winning his last two starts. He hit a speed bump three starts ago when he was shelled for nine runs (eight earned) in 3 2/3 innings against the Nationals on Aug. 11, but since then has given up just one earned run in 11 2/3 innings in his past two outings and has found the groove he had settled into earlier this season.Now, Lester will look to continue moving in the right direction against the Mets, against whom he is 6-1 with a 3.26 ERA in eight career starts.Lester departed his last start against the Detroit Tigers earlier than he would have liked after he was pulled by manager Joe Maddon after 5 2/3 innings.“As a competitor, I don’t have to like his decision,” Lester told reporters, according to the Cubs’ official website. “It doesn’t mean I don’t respect our manager and what he’s trying to do. He’s trying to win a baseball game and he feels if that’s the time to make the move, that’s the time to make the move.”Still, Lester likes the way he’s pitching of late.“The biggest thing is getting my fastball to the angle that it should be so you’re seeing the missed hits and foul balls and swings and misses on it,” Lester said. “I’ll keep working on that.”Lester will face Noah Syndergaard (9-3, 3.38), who has won three of his past four outings. Syndergaard surrendered two runs while scattering five hits and striking out six in six innings of his last start against the San Francisco Giants. He is 1-1 with a 2.00 ERA in three career starts against the Cubs.Syndergaard has seemingly found his rhythm after missing nearly two months with a finger injury.“Obviously, he’s had a bit of a strange year in terms of injuries and sicknesses,” Mets manager Mickey Callaway told reporters earlier this month, according to mlb.com. “He’s going to be an elite pitcher if he can get his routine underway.”