Baseball - National League Buyers and Sellers

Here is my take on who will be buying and who will be selling in the National League as the baseball trade deadline approaches.

NL East

Washington - Buyer; The more you look at this team - the more you wonder if they are doing things with mirrors. The Nats will be getting Jose Vidro back soon and hopefully Nick Johnson and Ryan Church won' be out too long. They could use a fifth starter but what is strange is that they have a pretty good one in Zach Day. However, Day is in Frank Robinson's doghouse so they may end up trading Day for someone else's fifth starter just to see Day flourish where ever they send him. Sorry to rain on the parade of you Nats fans out there but I see this team turning back into a pumpkin soon.

Atlanta - Buyer; The Braves will be dangerous when they get Hudson, Hampton and Thomson back in the rotation and Chipper Jones' bat back in the line-up. They could use another big bat and the Braves have the young players needed to make a deal. They are the team to beat in the NL East.

Florida - Buyer/Seller; The Marlins will make some moves. They are still in position to win the NL East but they have money issues. They are shopping AJ Burnett because he'll be a free agent and they have little chance of resigning him. Mike Lowell is their highest paid player ($7.5 million) but he's playing at replacement player levels. Juan Encarnacion will also be a salary dump ($4.4 million).

Philadelphia - Buyer; This team should be a seller based on their record but if they waived the white flag - they would be crucified. Could be Ed Wade's last chance - so he could empty the cupboards. Biggest need is for a starter and it was rumored that they already offered Ryan Howard for Toronto's Ted Lilly but were turned down.

Mets - Seller; Like the Phillies - this team should definitely be a seller based on their record but it is just as tough to waive the white flag in New York as it is in Philadelphia. They would love to unload the salaries of Tom Glavine, Mike Cameron, and Kaz Matsui if possible.

NL Central

St. Louis - Buyer; Last year at this time - the Cards picked up Larry Walker. This year it is very possible that they stand pat. This is the team to beat in the NL and I would be surprised if just some minor fine tuning is done at the trade deadline.

Chicago - Buyer; Cubbies are just 6 games out of the Wild Card. The Cubs could use a big bat in the outfield and I would expect their attention to be focused in that direction. Joe Borowski - we hardly knew ye.

Houston - Buyer; Don't look now but the Astros have climbed back into the Wild Card race too. I don't buy any of the Roger Clemens rumors. He ain't going anywhere. The Astros could use an outfielder with a big bat and a fifth starter.

Milwaukee - Seller; .500 would be quite an accomplishment for the Brewers. They would love to move the contracts of Geoff Jenkins and Wes Helms but Lyle Overbay will be the player most GM's will want to talk about.

Pittsburgh - Seller; Aren't they always sellers this time of year? Matt Lawton, Mark Redman and Jose Mesa are the names you will hear mentioned the most.

Cincinnati - Seller; Junior Griffey, Adam Dunn, Austin Kearns, Eric Milton, Sean Casey - hell make an offer for anyone on the roster.

NL West

San Diego - Buyer; The Padres have emerged as the team to beat in the NL West and they will be getting Mark Loretta back in the second half. Could use a top starter and Sean Burroughs will probably be the chip they would like to move to get that pitcher.

Arizona - Buyer; Still in contention for both the NL West (4.5 back) and the Wild Card (5.5 back). Could use a centerfielder and a closer.

Los Angeles - Buyer / Seller; With Gagne out and now JD Drew - I don't think the Dodgers will make the playoffs. Paul DePodesta is realistic, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him sell but since the NL West is relatively weak - he may use some of the young players he's been stockpiling to get a replacement for JD Drew.

San Francisco - Seller; Jason Schmidt is the big chip and Brett Tomko is also on the block. I still can't believe that Jeff Fassero is starting for this team.

Colorado - Seller; Preston Wilson, Byung-Hyung Kim, Jason Jennings, Shawn Chacon and Joe Kennedy are all on the block. The big name could be Todd Helton but with his off-year and big contract - Helton should be near impossible to move.