MLB Trades: Starting Pitching Upgrades for Every Contender

Everybody needs starting pitching.

We're less than a week from the non-waiver trade deadline, and plenty of teams are looking for a starting pitching upgrade. The market is relatively thin with Ubaldo Jimenez being prize of the pack.

There are hidden gems to be unearthed, but it is yet to be seen what the going rate will be for a serviceable starting pitcher.

Here are a few potential upgrades for each contender.

Los Angeles Angels: Livan Hernandez

The Angels aren't in dire need of starting pitching as much as relief, but most teams can use an innings-eater like Hernandez.

He has postseason experience and would probably like the chance to play for a contender down the stretch.

Texas Rangers: Aaron Harang

The Rangers are pretty deep when it comes to pitching, but no team should turn down a solid pitcher like Aaron Harang.

Harang has been the unheralded backbone of the Padres' pitching staff. He is a free agent after this season and would be probably be gettable for a low level prospect.

Chicago White Sox: Jake Peavy

The White Sox don't need to make a trade to improve their starting pitching, they just need one of their own to bounce back.

Jake Peavy's been limited to 10 starts this season and has an ERA over five. If he can find his form of 2007, the White Sox won't need to make a move for a starter.

Detroit Tigers: Wandy Rodriguez

The Tigers could use a third pitcher to pair with Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer in the final third of the season.

Rodriguez is still relatively young and could be a fixture in the Tigers' rotation for multiple years.

Cleveland Indians: Brett Myers

The Indians, who began the season so strongly, have struggled as of late. They lack a veteran presence in their rotation, which could be filled by Brett Myers.

Myers was a top pitcher a few years ago, but with his ERA over five this year, he could probably be had for cheap. His contract is a bit large, but perhaps a change of scenery and league could a benefit to both Myers and the Indians alike.

New York Yankees: Ubaldo Jimenez

Before the season started, the Yankees looked to have enough, if not good, starting pitching.

Right now, they've got one solid pitcher—CC Sabathia.

Other than that, the Yankees' staff has lagged. Freddie Garcia and Bartolo Colon have been adequate fill-ins for the rotation, but Phil Hughes and A.J. Burnett haven't been great.

The Yankees need another potential ace to pair with Sabathia in the postseason. Jimenez, if he returns to form, could be that other ace who pushes the Yankees through the playoffs.

Boston Red Sox: Rich Harden

The Red Sox have been bitten by the injury bug this season with it felling John Lackey, Clay Buchholtz and Daisuke Matsuzaka at various times.

Rich Harden is the king of injuries, but has been solid in four starts this year. He would be very affordable as a rental and could be a good stop-gap measure for the Sox.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Hiroki Kuroda

The Diamondbacks are one pitcher and one hitter away from having a chance in the NL West.

Okay, two hitters now that Stephen Drew is out for the year.

Anyway, Hiroki Kuroda could give the Diamondbacks a very strong four with Ian Kennedy, Joe Saunders and Daniel Hudson.

Kuroda has a no-trade clause, but could waive it to play on a contending team in the western United States.

San Francisco Giants: Jonathan Sanchez

Okay, so this isn't a trade per se—a swap, rather.

The Giants' biggest need is hitting, not pitching. They've got four really solid starters and a wobbly fifth one.

Right now that person is Barry Zito, soon it could be Jonathan Sanchez.

Sanchez has better stuff pitching-wise, but is a giant (no pun intended) headcase. If he can work though his mental issues, he could be a contributor down the stretch, but probably wouldn't start in the postseason.

Cincinnati Reds: Ubaldo Jimenez

Everyone is after Jimenez, and I'm not really sure why.

I guess he's still recovering from injury that accounts for his down numbers so far this year.

The Reds have a serious need for a rotation upgrade, and Jimenez could give them that boost to make the playoffs. The Reds also have a number of prospects to trade and could likely broker a deal to get Jimenez if they so wish.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Chris Capuano

The Pirates are in the rare position to be buyers this year. The only issue is they don't have a huge amount to trade. They are probably going to be looking for players on the cheap, and Capuano is having a decent season for the Mets.

The Pirates have gotten surprisingly good seasons from Jeff Karstens and Kevin Correia, and adding Capuano to that list could boost them to an NL Central title.

St. Louis Cardinals: James Shields

I admit, this is kind of a pipe dream, but with B.J. Upton potentially on the way out, the Rays could look to replace him with Colby Rasmus.

Shields has been dominant this year, and leads the league in complete games and shutouts. He would strengthen the Cardinals' rotation immensely heading into the post-deadline season.

Milwaukee Brewers: Ryan Dempster

The Brewers would really like Zack Greinke to start pitching like a Cy Young winner. If he doesn't, they might need another quality starter.

Dempster is probably on the way out of Chicago, so a short trip north might be worth taking. He would get a chance to play in the postseason, while the Brewers would get a solid contributor down the stretch.

Atlanta Braves: Julio Teheran

The Braves aren't likely to test the market for starting pitching. Instead, they'll likely look within.

Julio Teheran is one of the top pitching prospects in baseball. He's started only two games this year and, if he's not traded for offense, could have a major role with the team in the stretch run.

Philadelphia Phillies: Roy Oswalt

The Phillies, like the Braves, don't need to trade, they just need health—although the Phillies actually have seven solid starters when they are all healthy.

Besides Lee, Hamels and Halladay, the Phillies are juggling Kyle Kendrick and Vance Worley in the rotation. Upon the injury returns of Joe Blanton and Roy Oswalt, the Phillies will have too many to choose from, and trading for one will not be on the Phillies' agenda.