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Maholm is having a career year this season, even though his 3.12 ERA does not necessarily reflect it, as he has posted a 3.12 ERA in 14 starts this season.

However, he is due to earn $9.75 million next season, with a $750,000 buyout and the Pirates could choose to sell high on Maholm as the 29-year-old represents one of the most attractive starting pitchers on the market right now.

There have recently been rumbles of the Pirates offering him an extension, but they may be best off trading him now while his value is high and using the prospects to continue on the rebuilding path.

With Brett Myers and Fausto Carmona struggling, Maholm may be the best arm available right now, and it will be interesting to see where he lands.

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With the Dodgers on going ownership and payroll issues, it is almost certain that the team will not be able to come up with the $30 million that is owed on June 30th, unless the MLB's investigation wraps up before then.

That could mean cost-cutting moves are on the way, and the Dodger have a number of pitchers making big money that could be interesting trade pieces.

Hiroki Kuroda ($12 million), Ted Lilly ($8.2 million), and Jon Garland ($5 million) could all be dealt for rock bottom prices as the Dodgers try to save money, and they may end up having to take a low-level prospect and eat some of the salary just for the opportunity of payroll relief.

Moving Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, and/or Chad Billingsley seems out of the question at this point, even in these desperate times, but they could move any or all of those three pitchers soon.

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Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times has reported that it looks like the Angels will have no choice but to release Scott Kazmir at some point, as he has struggled to return from a back injury.

After posting an AL-worst 5.94 ERA last season (among starter with 150+ innings), Kazmir has made just one start this season for the Angles, going 1.2 innings and surrendering five runs. After that, he was shelved with a back injury.

In five rehab starts, he has gone 0-5 with a 17.02 ERA, lasting just 15.1 total innings. Chances are, that will spell the end of Kazmir's time in Anaheim, as the team will likely eat the rest of the $7 million he is due this season.

Still just 27 years old, and just two and a half years removed from being the ace of the Rays staff, someone will no doubt take a flier on Kazmir if he is released, and a change of scenery could do wonders.

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The Royals are in the midst of a rebuild, and they have the majors' best minor league system at their disposal with which to do it, as four high profile prospects have already gotten the call and more could be on the way.

However, the team also has a good amount of veteran talent that could be made available at the deadline or sooner.

Wilson Betemit (.289 BA), Jeff Francoeur (9 HR, 41 RBI), Melky Cabrera (9 HR, 41 RBI), and Bruce Chen (4-1, 3.59 ERA) could all be useful pickups for a contender, and the Royals rich farm system could get even richer if they move one or more of these guys.

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Since the beginning of the season, trade rumors have swirled around the New York Mets, as many have expected a full-on fire sale with the team set to shed a good deal of payroll this off season and begin rebuilding.

The center of the rumors has been shortstop Jose Reyes, and he has long been rumored to be heading to the Giants with free agency upcoming this off season. However, he currently leads the NL in batting average with a .342 mark.

It was believed that David Wright would be the cornerstone of the rebuild, but he has struggled this season, and the team could look to move him and focus their attention on re-signing Reyes this off season to build around.