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Starting Pitching Buyers

Roughly a half-dozen teams may be shopping credible starting pitching at this year's trade deadline.  Let's play matchmaker and examine potential buyers.

• Nationals.  As I wrote on May 6th, the Nationals should acquire starting pitching as soon as possible.  Reinforcements are on the way, but with Scott Olsen hitting the DL there is too much uncertainty. 
• Blue Jays.  Jesse Litsch will be back in June, but one veteran addition would help.
• Tigers.  Max Scherzer could be a shot in the arm if he straightens things out in Triple A.  Otherwise, they have Rick Porcello, Jeremy Bonderman, Dontrelle Willis, and Armando Galarraga backing up Justin Verlander.
• Diamondbacks.  Brandon Webb might be all this team needs, but he's working on a new arm slot as he rehabs from shoulder surgery.  It may take another month.
• Red Sox.  Josh Beckett is on the DL with a back strain, so Tim Wakefield stepped in.  Boston's interest in starting pitching might be limited to the possibility of renting Cliff Lee. 
• Reds.  Homer Bailey's shoulder tightness is a concern, but the Reds' biggest gains will probably come from continued improvements by Bronson Arroyo and Aaron Harang. 
• Angels.  They've got their starting five, so they might just have to hope for better things from Joel Pineiro and Scott Kazmir. 
• Dodgers. John Ely has been excellent and Vicente Padilla has been working his way back, so the Dodgers' interest in starting pitching might be limited to aces.
• Mets.  Mike Pelfrey has emerged behind Johan Santana.  Jon Niese has a spot when he returns from a hamstring strain and Hisanori Takahashi looked good against the Yankees.  The Mets should still look to add at least one starter, but most people felt that way during the offseason.

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