MLB Trade Rumors: 7 Teams Listed As Potential Destinations for Pablo Lopez

The Minnesota Twins are not having the type of season they'd hoped for, sitting at 13-19, in 4th place in the AL Central Division.

With another two seasons and $43 million dollars to run on his contract, durable right-hander Pablo Lopez could be on the trade block this season as the Twins look to save money.

The 29-year-old All-Star top-of-the-rotation arm is having another fine season, with a 2.25 ERA through five starts with a 1.00 WHIP and a spectacular 26:4 strikeout to walk ratio. He will be in high demand on the trade market.

How high? Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report has submitted a list of seven teams that could be in on Lopez when push comes to shove at the trade deadline, or before:

Atlanta Braves
San Francisco Giants
Houston Astros
Chicago Cubs
New York Mets
New York Yankees
San Diego Padres

The Braves are finally starting to right the ship after a terrible start, but with more injury problems plaguing ace Spencer Strider, they could use another elite arm. And you know that GM Alex Anthopoulos will stop at nothing to get what his team needs.

If the Astros feel they will not be able to come to terms on a new deal for pending free agent Framber Valdez, they could be looking at a shocking trade of their ace, so bringing in a top-of-the-rotation arm like Lopez who is signed for a reasonably short and relatively affordable contract could be their response to fill that void.

The Cubs, Mets & Yankees are mentioned every time a big-name starter enters the rumor mill, as all those teams are dealing with injuries to key rotation pieces.

Lopez has started exactly 32 games each of the last three seasons, with ERAs in the mid-to-high 3.00s, while striking out around or about 200 batters per year. He's still just 29, and should be a high performer for the final two years of his deal, wherever he winds up (literally and figuratively).