Our guy Tim Dierkes from MLBTradeRumors.com discusses the pitching market as the trade deadline nears:

• Justin Duchscherer, Athletics.  Duke is leading all of baseball with a 1.78 ERA in 101 innings.  He is under team control for '09, and Billy Beane wants to wait until after the season to talk extension.  He'd be a very interesting trade chip.
• Zack Greinke, Royals.  Despite interest, the Royals "remain decidedly uninterested in moving Greinke," according to Ken Rosenthal.
• Derek Lowe, Dodgers.  The Phillies are interested, but the Dodgers are tied for first place right now.  Trading Lowe makes no sense.
• Edwin Jackson, Rays.  Jackson is starting to put it together, with a 3.93 ERA in 110 innings.  Trading Jackson or Andy Sonnanstine to make room for rookie David Price seems unlikely.
• Daniel Cabrera, Orioles.  Cabrera is having his best year, averaging over 6.5 innings per start by sacrificing his strikeout rate.  The O's control him through 2010, so they'll probably opt to hold onto him.
• Erik Bedard, Mariners.  He's currently on the DL with a stiff shoulder, but the Phillies could still pursue him.  He's under team control through '09, but the Mariners won't get anything close to the package they gave up for him.
• Gil Meche, Royals.  Meche and the Royals have been very clear - he's staying in Kansas City.
• Jason Marquis, Cubs.  Marquis is signed at almost $10MM for '09, so the Cubs might have to eat salary to move him.
• Roy Oswalt, Astros.  The Astros' ace has a full no-trade clause and is expected to stay.  He's signed through 2011.  Oswalt has, however, been scouted by several clubs.
• Oliver Perez, Mets.  The Mets are only two games out, quieting the rumors for now.
• Joe Blanton, Athletics.  Trading Blanton as his ERA approaches 5.00 doesn't seem wise.
• Jarrod Washburn, Mariners.  He's been decent since June. That's a nice development for Lee Pelekoudas, who might be able to unload the $10.35MM owed to Washburn in '09.
• Kevin Millwood, Rangers.  His groin is bothering him again, plus the Rangers might not be willing to sell.
• Vicente Padilla, Rangers.  Padilla is on the DL with a neck strain, driving his value down further after a couple of rough starts.
• A.J. Burnett, Blue Jays.  You know the story with Burnett - enigmatic pitcher with a dangerous opt-out after the season.  Some team seems likely to gamble on him for two months.
• Brett Myers, Phillies.  Myers does not want to be traded, nor is a deal likely.
• Paul Byrd, Indians.  He's been awful since the beginning of June, bringing his ERA to 5.47.  Can't be much of a market for him.
• Homer Bailey, Reds.  His value is down, though the Reds will give him a spot start Sunday.  Wasn't long ago that he was Baseball America's #9 prospect in the game.
• Bronson Arroyo, Reds.  His ERA is near 6.00 after 19 starts.  It'd be closer to 4.50 if you take out a pair of one-inning thrashings, but is it fair to do that?  He's signed through 2010, and the Phillies might be interested.
• Livan Hernandez, Twins.  Would an NL team take him on? Livan had a run of four solid starts until the recent Boston beating.  Could be a DFA candidate.
• Josh Fogg, Reds.  The Reds aren't too keen on Fogg, keeping him in the minors even after he was healthy.  He could be had for a song.

MLB justin duchscherer, zack greinke, derek lowe, edwin jackson, daniel cabrera, erik bedard, gil meche, jason marquis, roy oswalt, oliver perez, joe blanton, jarrod washburn, kevin millwood, vicente padilla, a.j. burnett, brett myers, paul byrd, homer bailey, bronson arroyo, livan hernandez, josh fogg