MLB Trade Rumors: 13 Starting Pitchers Who May Be Available at the Deadline

With a little over a month before the trade deadline, many teams are still trying to turn their seasons around in hopes of being a contender come October. Meanwhile, many players are playing their way to new teams while others are making themselves indispensable. 

Though it is too early to speculate who may be on the move in the next month or so, expect, as always, some major changes in scenery. Many of the players in this article may end up staying with their current teams for the 2011 season, but their current situations and performance thus far may indicate otherwise. 

Here are 13 starting pitchers who COULD be on the move before July 31st. 

Felix Hernandez: Seattle Mariners

Now Seattle fans, before you jump down my throat, take a deep breath and relax. A month or so ago, Hernandez was linked with a move to the Yankees. However, now that the Mariners are in second place of the AL West and trail the Rangers by only two games, a trade is highly unlikely.

It was believed Hernandez was going to be on the move due to the lack of wins and performance of the Mariners, but since they have started to get it together and start winning, this deal is dead and buried. It seems now that there is no chance that Hernandez will head to the Bronx. 

I will say this, though: a deal is never dead until the deadline has passed. 

Barry Zito: San Francisco Giants

Now, let us discuss the idea of that the Giants will move the most underpaid player in the league (sarcasm, guys). For a pitcher who is getting paid approximately $18 million per year, Giants fans cannot be happy with what they have gotten from Zito. And they are not.

A trade for the lefty who has only made three starts this years seems pretty unlikely, seeing how not many teams are going to want to take on that contract and considering that Zito is past his prime. He does not provide enough bait for any team to give up too much, but at the end of the day I do not think the Giants care what they get in return. 

I think that is most of the Giants' fans sentiment; just ship him out and work with whatever it is the team gets in return.

Jon Garland: Los Angeles Dodgers

Frank McCourt and the Los Angeles Dodgers are not going to meet payroll this month, weird. It makes sense for there to be discussions about shedding some money off the payroll in a trade. Jon Garland is due $5 million this year and for someone with a an ailing shoulder and a current ERA of 4.33, the future is not bright for Garland.

Even though he is on the DL, if he can get a good start or two in before the deadline, a deal may be somewhere, though it still remains unlikely. Garland is a player who Dodger fans wouldn't mind being put on the trading block, and he will need to heal quickly for that to happen.

Jeff Francis: Kansas City Royals

Jeff Francis is pitching very well this season and does not have a huge price tag over his head. When contending teams are looking for help in the rotation, Francis is a very viable option. 

His numbers are not eye popping, if anything they look weak, but remember guys, he is on the Royals. The Royals could get good value for him if teams start calling. 

Dan Haren: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Dan Haren was the prize of the trade deadline last year, and it is very possible that he could be the same this year. The Angels are going nowhere fast, and for teams on the verge of contention, Haren could get them over the hump.

Haren's 2.96 ERA and 6-5 record on the year has to catch the eye of some teams out there. The surprising Cleveland Indians could be in the mix for Haren. They need to bolster their rotation, and what better pitcher could they pursue than Haren? All they would really need to give up are prospects. Interesting.

Carl Pavano: Minnesota Twins

Carl Pavano is someone I like to call a wily veteran, who at 35 years of age, can still deal. He is 5-5 on the year with a 4.05 ERA.

Pavano could spark some interest in teams looking for a veteran to help push them through the home stretch of the season. The Twins only have one more win than the Royals. Ouch. It does not seem they are going to make a roaring charge back to the top of the AL Central.

Edwin Jackson: Chicago White Sox

Edwin Jackson is an enigmatic pitcher to say the least. We know that he can pitch and pitch well, but he is also lit up on occasion for six or more runs. The White Sox do not stand to do too much the rest of the season, and if Jackson pitches his way out of the rotation, a change of scenery may be a viable option.

Jackson is 4-6 on the year with a 4.47 ERA. He could look good in others uniforms, but it all depends on the price tag.

Paul Maholm: Pittsburgh Pirates

Paul Maholm has been one of the few bright lights for Pittsburgh so far this season. He owns a 3.29 ERA and 61 strikeouts on the year, even though his win-loss record is a mere 3-8.

Teams looking for a mid- or back-of-the-rotation pitcher may show interest in Maholm, seeing how his price tag may not be too high.

Chris Capuano: New York Mets

The Mets seem to be ready to deal a pitcher or two from their rotation. R.A. Dickey and Mike Pelfrey are possibilities, but the one who would seem to generate the most interest would be Chris Capuano. The lefty is 5-7 on the year with a 4.29 ERA.

Capuano is a free agent after the season and is unlikely to re-sign with the Mets, especially if the team plans to make a bid at retaining star shortstop Jose Reyes. Furthermore, should the Mets deal Capuano now, they could actually receive somebody of worth in return. Capuano would be a strong addition to any ballclub.

Erik Bedard: Seattle Mariners

At 4-4 with a 3.16 ERA, Erik Bedard is one of the top starting pitchers who could be on the move this season. He is more likely to go than Felix Hernandez, but if the Mariners continue their march up the standings, then Bedard may be going nowhere.

If he is traded, Bedard would surely be a part of a large trade. But to whom? Well, it is going to take a couple more weeks to see who really needs to add a starting pitcher, but Bedard will definitely be among the names floating around.

Kevin Slowey: Minnesota Twins

Kevin Slowey is still healing from an abdomen strain he suffered a few weeks ago, but after a few starts on a rehab assignment, Slowey could be a nice pitcher for a new team. 

The righty, who held a 4.91 ERA pitching out of the bullpen for the Twins this season, has admitted that a change of ballpark would not be the worst thing in the world for him. 

Jason Marquis: Washington Nationals

Jason Marquis is 7-2 with a 3.86 ERA. The Nationals are not determined to send him elsewhere, but they realize that they could get some serious payment for a guy like Marquis. In short, they are at the very least going to listen to offers that come in for him. They will come in.

Marquis has obviously recovered from his elbow injury, which may be a reason the Nats wouldn't mind dealing him now, considering his previous injuries. If I am a Nats fan, I do not want to see him go unless the team receives another serious arm or big bat in return.

Carlos Zambrano: Chicago Cubs

Carlos Zambrano is one of those athletes that are cancer to the locker room, but who does nothing but produce on the field. One of the most explosive and hot-headed players in Major League Baseball, Carlos Zambrano will also be among the most sought-after before the trade deadline.

Zambrano owns a 6-4 record with a 4.50 ERA and 72 strikeouts. On a Cubs team that cannot seem to get it together, Zambrano wants to be dealt and the Cubbies want to deal him.

The Yankees already expressed that they do not want him, meaning that the rest of the league has a chance.