by Ken Rosenthal

Indians

Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore is nursing an injured elbow. (Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)

OK, they seem cooked. But here's the thing: Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, left-hander Aaron Laffey, right-hander Rafael Betancourt all should return from injuries by the end of the month. Center fielder Grady Sizemore could join them — or he could require elbow surgery.

The best-case scenario is that the Indians will make the equivalent of several deadline acquisitions, including right-hander Jake Westbrook, who is coming off Tommy John surgery. But the prolonged loss of Sizemore would be crushing, and the bullpen simply does not appear salvageable.

The Cardinals are tracking infielder Mark DeRosa, who has 48 RBIs — or 21 more than any of his former Cubs teammates. Right-hander Carl Pavano also could be in demand, assuming his sore shoulder is merely a temporary blip.

Infielder Jamey Carroll and Betancourt are lesser trade candidates. The only way the Indians will move left-hander Cliff Lee and/or catcher Victor Martinez is if they are overwhelmed.

Prediction: Seller.

White Sox

Drum roll, please: The White Sox rank near the bottom of the American League in scoring. They are last in the majors in OPS at center field, next-to-last at third base, 25th at second base. The return of left fielder Carlos Quentin, one of their leading sluggers, is far from imminent.

And yet, the Sox are only three games out in the mediocre AL Central.

Never mind that general manager Ken Williams recently broached the possibility of a selloff. Jim Leyland, manager of the first-place Tigers, concedes that his club has "major issues." The Tigers can't hit, and their bullpen is suspect. The top of their rotation is due for a regression, and the bottom of their rotation is a mess.

Unlike the Indians, the White Sox boast quality starting pitching, particularly now that right-hander Jose Contreras is healthy. Williams demonstrated his trademark aggression by trying to trade for Padres right-hander Jake Peavy. The addition of a bat, plus the return of Quentin, might be enough for the Sox to overtake the Tigers and Twins.

Prediction: Buyer.

Rockies

Winners of 12 of their last 13, but let's see how long the euphoria lasts. The Rockies host the Pirates after they finish their series against the Rays, then head to the West Coast for nine games against the Angels, A's and Dodgers. After that trip, they should have a better idea of whether they are legitimate wild-card contenders.

Rockies closer Huston Street could be a hot commodity as the trade deadline nears. (David Zalubowski / Associated Press)

As it stands, the Rockies hold two of the most attractive chips on the trade market — right-hander Jason Marquis, whose stock continues to rise as one elite starting pitcher after another is injured, and closer Huston Street, who could be the best late-inning reliever available for teams such as the Yankees, Rangers and Dodgers.

Street could make $7 million next season in arbitration, which is too much for the Rockies to pay a closer. One GM predicts that the demand for Street will be so intense, the Rockies could exact a higher price for him than the A's would for left fielder Matt Holliday. That might be a stretch, but the Rockies could add to their impressive young core if they move Street, Marquis and outfielder Ryan Spilborghs.

Prediction: Seller.

Astros

Here we go again. The Astros are old. One general manager says they have more below-average players than any team in the NL. But every year people urge Astros owner Drayton McLane to concede. And every year he responds with his familiar cry: "Charge!"

The Astros might own the fourth-worst record in the NL, but they forever see themselves as one winning streak away from contention.

Trading players such as right-hander Roy Oswalt, shortstop Miguel Tejada and closer Jose Valverde could bring the team desperately needed young talent. Yet, McLane has passed on such opportunities numerous times before.

The difference this season is that the Astros probably lack the financial flexibility to make a significant addition, the way they did last year with left-hander Randy Wolf. The team cut payroll last offseason, prompting the departures of Wolf and third baseman Ty Wigginton. Its attendance decline, one of the largest in the majors, will further inhibit GM Ed Wade.

Prediction: Charge!

Mariners

If they don't look like sellers yet, just wait. The M's hit the road Friday to face three of the best teams in baseball: the Dodgers, Yankees and Red Sox. It's difficult to imagine them faring well, even though their pitching staff ranks first in the AL in ERA. The M's also are last in the league in scoring.

Of course, fate already is working against the Mariners. Left-hander Erik Bedard, potentially the prize of the trade market, went on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday with shoulder inflammation. He could — repeat, could — return next week. But his durability and personality already are red flags for many clubs.

Left-hander Jarrod Washburn also looms as a quality chip, though he would not be as big a difference-maker as Bedard. Third baseman Adrian Beltre, a gifted defender, finally is heating up offensively, but any team that acquired him July 31 still would owe him approximately $4 million.

Prediction: Seller.

Marlins

Remember their crazy 11-1 start? The Marlins are 21-34 since, but the promise of their starting rotation makes it difficult for them to concede. True, that rotation currently ranks 12th in the NL. in ERA. But at the moment, the team is looking for an eighth-inning reliever who could set up closer Matt Lindstrom.

The Red Sox's Takashi Saito ($1.5 million) and Diamondbacks' Chad Qualls ($2.535 million) would fit the Marlins' ever-limited price range. Yet, even if the Fish pull off such a deal, the odds of them challenging the Mets and Phillies seem remote.

Second baseman Dan Uggla, first baseman Jorge Cantu and right fielder Jeremy Hermida continue to loom as attractive chips, and the Marlins' front office is among the most creative in the game. Look for the team to compete for as long as possible, then cut the best possible deals.

Prediction: Buyer, then seller.