I meant to get around to this sooner, but something always got in the way. It may be old news, but it's still relevant. Brewers Owner Mark Attanasio
said a few weeks back that; "We have flexibility in the payroll for whatever it turns out we need." In reference to possibly adding a starting pitcher. So I took a look over at Cot's Baseball Contracts (see the link in the sidebar) at the pitchers who could potentially be free agents at the end of the year. They are the ones most likely to find themselves on the trade market, for obvious reasons. I then divided them into some categories for discussion:
* = option for next year
Not really useful enough to strongly consider
- Kris Bensen PHI
- Mike Hampton * ATL
- Orlando Hernandez NYM
- Jason Jennings TEX
- Esteban Loaiza LAD
- Mark Mulder * STL
- Carl Pavano NYY
- Mark Prior SD
- Horatio Ramirez SEA
- Julian Tavarez BOS
- Steve Trachsel BAL
Playing for a definite contender and/or not likely to move for other reasons
- Paul Byrd CLE
- Jon Garland LAA
- Tom Glavine ATL
- Randy Johnson ARZ
- John Lackey * LAA
- Derek Lowe LAD
- Pedro Martinez NYM
- Mike Mussina NYY
- Jamie Moyer PHI
- Brad Penny * LAD
- Oliver Perez NYM
- Andy Pettitte NYY
- C.C. Sabathia CLE
- John Smoltz * ATL
Possiblity for making a move
- A.J. Burnett TOR (May opt out of his contract at the end of the year)
- Rich Harden * OAK
- Braden Looper STL
- Odalis Perez WAS
- Brett Tomko KC
- Claudio Vargas NYM
- Randy Wolf SD
A few of those listed in the "not really useful" category could move into this area later in the year, but it's hard to tell who that might be right now. Perez, Tomko and Wolf all could be serviceable back of the rotation options should the Brewers have a need for that type of pitcher. All three are playing for teams that look to be going nowhere and could probably be had for minimal return. I put Vargas on here because there is a chance that he could become expendable to the Mets at some point in the season. Looper in on here in case the Cardinals fall out of the race, as was projected before the season. He could be a useful 4th starter.
The two most interesting names on the list are Harden and Burnett, because they are both capable of being dominant at times. For Oakland to look to trade Harden, they would have to fall back a ways in the race (a solid bet, but not a sure thing) and he would have to stay healthy (longer odds, for sure). They probably wouldn't demand that much for him, possibly a few mid level prospects, and if he's healthy he's a solid #2. The fact that Burnett can opt out of his current contract after the season and almost certainly will if he stays healthy means the Jay's would have to strongly consider moving him if they fall out of the playoff race. Given the strength of the Red Sox and Yankees and surprising emergence of the Rays, that seems very possible. Chances are good that the price tag for Burnett would be fairly high and whatever team gets him would really have to beat out some bidding competition.
The Brewers will probably need to make a move to shore up the pitching rotation down the stretch with the injuries to Gallardo and Capuano, the release of Vargas and Villanueva's failure. There may be some others available on the market, but this list is a good place to start for likely names.