All right, so earlier on Thursday it was suggested that the Braves were the only team still in on Hunter Pence. Jon Heyman said that the Phillies had dropped out after the Astros turned down an offer, and at that point it looked like Pence would stay put.

Well hold on to your hats, because now we have reports saying just the opposite! Ken Rosenthal:

As many as eight clubs on Pence, including #Phillies, #Braves. #Astros listening.

And to add to that, Jayson Stark:

Interest in Pence exploding since Beltran trade (Phillies, Braves, Reds, Red Sox). Astros have "open mind. More in Rumor Central

Instead of there reportedly being little pursuit of Pence, there is now reportedly broad pursuit of Pence, as teams who missed out on Carlos Beltran set their sights on another top-of-the-line outfielder.

Pence owns a 130 OPS+, which is the highest mark of his career. And unlike Beltran, he wouldn't be a rental, since he's under team control through 2013. For that reason, he has a much higher price tag, of which other teams are very aware. But they'll keep trying to find common ground with the Astros, because Pence would be a huge boost, both now and down the road.