Wanted: Pitchers

WHO MIGHT BE AVAILABLE AT TRADE DEADLINE

RENTALS

Rich Hill, Oakland. Forget that anyone could have signed him last fall. The A’s did and now they have a highly- desirable asset. He’s nursing a blister on his pitching hand but hopes to be able to make his start on Sunday, an ultimate showcase before the deadline.

Andrew Cashner, San Diego. He beat the Blue Jays 4-2 in his last start for San Diego, settling in after a rocky first inning. He has a mediocre 4.76 ERA over 16 starts but has a career ERA one run lower than that.

Jeremy Hellickson, Philadelphia. He’s made 21 starts with a 3.65 ERA, which is about a run, on average, better than any of his work over the last three years. Phils want a top- five prospect for him, or they’ll keep him and hope they get a draft pick for him. Ivan Nova, Yankees. Over his last three seasons, Nova has made 35 starts, logging 208 innings with a 5.20 ERA. Yikes.

EXPENSIVE, BUT CONTROLLABLE

Ervin Santana, Minnesota. Santana is signed for two more years at US$ 13.5 million each. His numbers are OK ( 19 starts, 3.76 ERA) but there may be some lingering resentment in the Jays clubhouse that he reneged on a promise to come here two years ago.

Ian Kennedy, Kansas City. Just seven of his 20 starts have been quality starts. Not what you want from a guy who is still owed US$ 62.5 million over the next four seasons.

CONTROLLABLE — MULTIPLE YEARS

Chris Archer, Tampa Bay. Signed through 2020. This season aside, he’s still one of the good young arms in baseball. The Rays will want a ton in return, and nobody’s sure if they’re serious about moving him.

Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox. The Sox have options on him through 2019. Maybe the best left- hander in the American League and it’s going to take blockbuster quality to get him.

Sonny Gray, Oakland. Like Archer, Gray is not having his best season but he’s worth a gamble. The price tag will be off the charts.

Matt Shoemaker, LA Angels. Good, solid middle of the rotation arm with some upside. You get four years of control in addition to a career 3.83 ERA, 1.19 WHIP.

Drew Smyly, Tampa Bay. There is still plenty of upside with the lefty who has two more years of arbitration left.

Jake Odorizzi, Tampa Bay. Having a good season on a bad team. Still plenty of upside for this right- hander under contract t hrough 2019.

Matt Moore, Tampa Bay. The Rays are not likely to trade more than one or two pitchers. Moore is the most expensive of the four but there’s value here. He has escalating options starting in 2017 ($ 7 million), 2018 ($ 9 million) and 2019 ($ 10 million).