Ascents of urgency: Trade Deadline at 4 ET!

Every Major League general manager knows that you can make or break your season at the non-waiver Trade Deadline.

The deadline, which comes at 4 p.m. ET today, is last chance for GMs to wheel and deal freely and make significant upgrades to their rosters. Just last year, the World Series champion Royals landed Ben Zobrist and Johnny Cueto in the final days of July, and the National League-pennant-winning Mets redefined their season by acquiring Yoenis Cespedes minutes before 4 p.m. on deadline day.

This year’s deadline buildup has been epic, as three of MLB’s top relievers moved to first-place clubs in the last week, with the Cubs trading for Aroldis Chapman last Monday, the Nationals acquiring Mark Melancon on Saturday, and the Indians landing Andrew Miller Sunday morning.

MLB.com, MLB At Bat, @MLB, and MLB Network will have wall-to-wall deadline coverage loaded with news, rumors and analysis, and also feature the following:

• A Twitter Q&A with Jim Duquette. Send your questions now using #MLBOnTheMove and Duquette will answer your questions via Twitter today before noon.

• An Edward Jones Chatting Cage with Duquette and Jonathan Mayo at 12:30 ET.

• A special edition of MLB Tonight, which will air on MLB Network and be simulcast on MLB.com, beginning at 1 ET and feature the likes Ken Rosenthal, Jon Paul Morosi and Jon Heyman giving you the latest deadline buzz.

• Morosi: Storylines to watch on Deadline day

The second Wild Card — which was added in 2012 — has made the “win now” move more enticing than at any time in history. With six teams within five games of the two NL Wild Card spots, and five teams within five games of the Wild Card in the American League, not to mention the crazy three-team race shaping up in the AL East, or the classic Dodgers-Giants rivalry that is sure to go down to the wire in the NL West, today is sure be packed with wild rumors, serious smartphone interaction and some last-minute dealmaking.

As the clock ticks toward 4 p.m., here are the hottest trade rumors you need to know.

Mets, Dodgers eyeing BruceJay Bruce was scratched from Sunday’s lineup as talks regarding the Reds outfielder intensify. Manager Bryan Price told reporters Bruce was being held out of the lineup as a mental day, not because of any imminent trade.

Shortly after reports said the Mets were out Sunday morning, others indicated that New York is back in on the lefty-hitting outfielder. ESPN’s Jayson Stark reported Saturday that the Reds are not asking for “elite prospects” from the Mets, but rather for two or three good players a notch below elite status.

The Dodgers also remain in discussions with the Reds about a possible deal, according to MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi, who reported that such a deal would likely remain between the two clubs, as opposed to being a three-team swap, as was widely reported on Friday. MLB Network insider Jon Heyman confirmed the Dodgers’ interest, while FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal also reported that the Giants are among the teams in the mix for Bruce.

The Rangers also are interested. Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reported on Saturday that Texas had at least one scout present at the Reds-Padres contest on Friday night in San Diego to take a look at the slugger.

ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick previously reported that six to eight teams are “still in the mix” for Bruce.

A’s talking extension with Hill Amid trade talks regarding left-hander Rich Hill, the A’s are also discussing a possible extension with the veteran starter, according to Rosenthal. If he isn’t dealt, Hill, 36, is eligible to hit free agency this winter.

Hill is currently sidelined due to a blister on his left middle finger, but A’s manager Bob Melvin said Hill could come off the disabled list to start as soon as Thursday. On Saturday, Hill threw a 60-pitch bullpen session at Progressive Field comprised of four 15-pitch simulated innings.

“Everything was going well when I saw him,” Melvin said. “It sounds like it’s going in the right direction. He looked good.”

Rosenthal listed the Dodgers, Blue Jays, Rangers, Astros and Pirates among the teams that have expressed interest in the left-hander.

Hill is 9-3 with a 2.25 ERA in 14 starts for the A’s this season. He also missed all of June with a left groin strain. He’s made just three …

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