Buster Olney's latest Insider piece at ESPN previews the National League trade market. It's quiet, but only for now.
- After an 11-1 loss to the Mets, their arch rivals, the Phillies may have finally hit rock bottom. They're waiting for Ryan Howard and Roy Halladay to get healthy, and for Chase Utley to round back into form, but, by the time they do, it might be too late. Should Philadelphia's struggles continue, look for Cole Hamels and Shane Victorino to be available come the non-waiver deadline.
- The Mets want and need bullpen help, but are taking their time to find it. And, in R.A. Dickey-related news, the Mets are having internal discussions about pitching their ace once every four days during the last two months of the season.
- Executives around baseball expect the Padres to trade Carlos Quentin and Huston Street. Olney notes that while Chase Headley is making only $3.8 million this year, his trade value might be at its peak.
- The Braves might be in the "best position" to acquire Zack Greinke, but only if they can get his name on a contract extension. If Milwaukee's asking price is too high, other alternatives are the Cubs' Matt Garza and veteran Ryan Dempster.
- The Cubs and Astros are selling. The Astros' asking prices are sky high, and rivals believe it's a foregone conclusion that the Cubs will deal Garza, but only after Dempster is traded first.
- The Pirates are looking for a veteran starter to solidify their rotation.
- The Rockies are selling, too, and are hoping Jeremy Guthrie can ignite some interest.
- The Diamondbacks and Cardinals are looking for pitching help.
- It's gone awfully wrong awfully fast in Miami, and look for Hanley Ramirez's name to be bandied about in trade rumors over the next few weeks.
- Olney cites Brandon McCarthy as an "interesting stopgap" for the Nationals, who are already out there looking to add to their bullpen.
- The Brewers will wait for Shaun Marcum and Jonathan Lucroy to return before they decide their fate at the deadline. If they're sellers, they'll talk about trading Greinke, Marcum and others, but not Corey Hart.
- The Reds are looking for a left fielder. Carlos Quentin could fit the bill.
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