The Pirates have stepped up their efforts to trade second baseman Freddy Sanchez in the past few days, according to multiple baseball sources, and could have a deal in place by the weekend.

Sanchez has been selected as a reserve for the National League squad in the All-Star Game. The Pirates would not have someone replace him on the NL roster if he is traded, according to Pat Courtney, Major League Baseball’s vice president/public relations.

Colorado has emerged as the front runner for Sanchez and the Pirates have strong interest in Rockies second base prospect Eric Young, Jr., a 24-year-old who is hitting .289 at Class AAA Colorado Springs with three home runs, 26 RBIs, 47 stolen bases and a .377 on base percentage in 80 games.

The Rockies are said to be willing to part with relief prospect Casey Weathers, their first-round draft pick in 2007, who will miss the entire season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his elbow in March. Weather, 24, was 2-1 with two saves and a 3.05 ERA in 44 games with Class AA Tulsa last season.

Another name that has reportedly has been brought up in trade talks is Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez. The 23-year-old left-handed hitter is batting .224 with one homer, five RBIs in five steals in 23 games for Colorado. He began the season with Colorado Springs and had a .339 batting average with 10 homers, 59 RBIs and six steals in 48 games.

San Francisco continues to have interest in Sanchez along with Minnesota.

Other contenders who have need for second base help include Atlanta, the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee.

“Sanchez might be the hottest name on the rumor mill at the moment,” an American League executive said Thursday afternoon. “Sometimes that doesn’t mean anything but it sure seems something is going to happen with him very soon.”