AL powers among top potential landing spots for Pirates OF Oneil Cruz 

Trade buzz for Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz is growing louder, with the New York Yankees reportedly among the teams interested in him, per veteran MLB insider Jon Heyman.

If a team puts together a solid package for Cruz (.219 BA, 16 HRs, 33 SB), Pirates GM Ben Cherington must consider it before the July 31 trade deadline.

Here are three American League contenders that could be landing spots for Cruz (records and statistics are through play Thursday):

Toronto Blue Jays (61-42)

Canada’s team is 36-15 since the end of May; only the Milwaukee Brewers (35-13) are better during that span. 

Although it's on an amazing run, the Blue Jays have issues to address. They rank 18th in the majors with 109 home runs, and with OF Anthony Santander nowhere close to returning, the addition of a left-handed bat would be ideal.

Toronto has just four players with double-digit home runs, and three of them are righties: outfielder DH George Springer (17), 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (13) and SS Bo Bichette (13). Third baseman/outfielder Addison Barger, who has 13 home runs, is mashing from the left side, but the addition of a talented and powerful lefty such as 26-year-old Cruz would be tantalizing. 

GM Ross Atkins and president/CEO Mark Shapiro are all-in to win, so they're likely willing to part with what it would take to land Cruz. 

New York Yankees (56-46)

It's no surprise to learn the Yankees are interested in a slugging lefty with tons of power and untapped potential. 

Heyman shared an update regarding New York's interest and the asking price from Pittsburgh on Thursday night on X (formerly Twitter).