Rays Won't Budge on Top Arms, Continue to Monitor Bay and Dunn

Even in the Trade Deadline's final hours, all reports indicate that the Rays will not budge on top pitching prospects such as David Price, Wade Davis and Jeremy Hellickson.

SI.com also reported Thursday morning that the Rays have taken top infield prospect Reid Brignac's name off the table, and any trade will most likely revolve around RHP Jeff Niemann.

As reported in Thursday's St. Petersburg Times, the Rays are still in talks for Pittsburgh's Jason Bay but early morning reports from FOX Sport's Ken Rosenthal and SI.com have the Rays listed as the Pirates back-up option if the blockbuster three-way trade with the Red Sox and the Marlins doesn't pan out.

If they miss out on Bay, the Rays are also rumored to be eyeing Reds' slugger Adam Dunn, with Cincinnati expressing interest in both Hellickson and Niemann.  As a left-handed hitter, Dunn is a less than ideal fit as the Rays are in dire need of a right-handed bat that can also platoon in right field. But Dunn does pose power -- with a Major League-leading 32  home runs -- and could be an option if the Rays come up short in Pittsburgh.

ESPN.com's Buster Olney reported just before noon that the Rays were unsure which way talks could go and believes promoting right-handed hitter Rocco Baldelli could also be the solution.

An outfielder with four years of Major-League service, Baldelli has on a Minor League rehab assignment that is set to conclude August 4.  

The Rays are also still believed to be in the market for a left-handed reliever, but no clear favorites have emerged.  

-- Brittany Ghiroli