Picking the scraps

Cain, very able

Baseball Prospectus tallied their odds for MLB teams to make the playoffs.

The super good news is that the Texas Rangers have a 55 percent chance of winning the division and a 59 percent chance of making the playoffs (as the division or wild card winner).

The other good news is that there are a number of teams with a 10 percent chance or less of getting into the playoffs, making them more likely to become sellers as the July 31 trade deadline inches closer and closer.

Several teams probably ain't going to be selling anything the Rangers want to buy. The Colorado Rockies have interesting pitchers, but I don't seem them getting loose. The Oakland A's and GM Billy Beane notoriously do not trade within the division. I think the Baltimore Orioles are content with keeping their young nucleus. And the Washington Nationals just suck and we already have our Adam Dunn. His name is Chris Davis.

With that said, here are some teams, some names, some rumors, some thoughts.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Brandon Webb
After Webb hurt his shoulder (for which he's currently rehabbing) the Dbacks rescinded their contract extension offer. He's relatively cheap with a $8.5 million 2010 option with a $500K buyout. He's also the Rangers wet dream and it would mean trading a shitload of good prospects if he's healthy and the Dbacks are selling.

Doug Davis
Having a good year, but he's old and sort of a has-been. He probably fits better with an established team (California, Boston) with all its pieces in place. However, if the Rangers are contending, but are faced with injuries in the rotation, he could be a cheap option.

Tony Pena
A fantastic off-season pick-up for the Dbacks. He's been a monster in the 'pen. He's cheap ($433K) and young (27).

Chicago White Sox
Mark Buehrle
Having a career year (2.59 ERA) and he's on the back end of a four-year extension two years ago. He's also had success at the Ballpark. He's 30 and would be under the Rangers control 'til 2011.

Octavio Dotel
It took a little bit, but he totally resuscitated his career. Dotel is back to his old ways with a 1.17 ERA. He's used as an eighth inning guy now, but considering his past he could, in theory, close should the need arise.

Florida Marlins
Chris Volstad
You get him (and it would take a pirate's haul to do so) and he shoots to the top of your rotation. Just saying.

Josh Johnson
A bit of a headcase a couple of years ago. He's 10-2 in his last 24 starts with a 136-43 K/BB ratio. He, too, probably shoots to the No. 2 spot in the rotation. Especially valuable if Vicente Padilla is not around next season.

Houston Astros
Roy Oswalt
Oswalt -- like Roy Halliday and Matt Cain -- is perpetually not on the trading block. However, his name comes up again and again. Recently, one pundit stated that Oswalt probably needs a change of scenery. How about Dallas? He's due $14, $15 and $16 million through 2011, respectively, and has a $16 million club option for 2012. He also owns a no-trade clause. He is 31, but has shown no real signs of slowing down despite a dip this season.

Wandy Rodriguez
I hardly doubt he's available but some pundits have him out there. I liked Rodriguez two years ago when I saw him pitch and I like him and his 1.71 ERA even better this year. He's arguably one of the top five pitchers in the league this year. So I would question his availability.

Pittsburgh Pirates
Ian Snell
Of this whole list, he's the biggest question mark. A big-time prospect, he's tanked as a pro, especially this season. He's 27 and probably could be had on the cheap. If Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux is the genius we think he is, Snell might be a nice look. However, he might also be worth kicking the tires on in the off-season.

Zach Duke
I doubt he pops free without having to give up the farm because he's young and really rounding into form, which might not make him available to begin with.

San Francisco Giants
Jonathan Sanchez
Apparently available for a middle-of-the-order bat. The Rangers have plenty of those. Not a top-of-the-rotation guy, but if we believe Derek Holland and Neftali Feliz are the real deal, then Sanchez could shore up the No. 3 or 4 spot.

Matt Cain
A No. 2 starter. Like others, he's perpetually "unavailable" but is constantly in rumors everywhere. A lot of fly balls but his strikeout potential alleviates worries there.

Jeremy Affeldt
Under contract through 2010 and is holding a 2.05 ERA. However, lefties are hitting .379 off of him. Affeldt is a lefty himself.