FOXSports Ken Rosenthal says the Tampa Bay Rays are closer to trading shortstop Jason Bartlett than ever before.

Those that have expressed interest include the St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres, Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates.

The sudden surge of interest in the shortstop occurred because one less infielder is now available – Juan Uribe agreed to a three-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier today.

Other shortstops that are candidates to be traded or are free agents include Marco Scutaro, J.J. Hardy, Miguel Tejada and Orlando Cabrera.