July arrives this week, and with it comes the start of baseball's trade season.

We asked a handful of scouts and executives (they shall remain nameless because that's the way they like it when assessing rivals) how they believed things would shake out leading to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

All said it could be a slow month for several reasons:

Entering Friday, 16 teams were within six games of the wild-card lead in their respective leagues. That kind of parity creates a lot of hope and reduces the number of teams willing to deal talent.

The economy could also contribute to a slow month. Many clubs can't add payroll. (The Phillies are one that can. Have times changed around here, or what?)

Ultimately, the trade front could be sluggish because nearly every contender is looking for pitching, and there isn't much out there.

Let's take a look at how the month could unfold for all 30 clubs.

NL East

Phillies. They want pitching. Starter or reliever? "Doesn't matter. They're looking for anything they can get," a rival scout said. The Phils will get one. GM Ruben Amaro Jr. spent so much time talking to teams last week that it looks as if he has a BlackBerry growing out of his ear. The Phils have been all over Boston's Brad Penny - "I've seen Penny three times, and every time the Phillies have had someone there," a scout said - but the Red Sox might hold on to him in the wake of Daisuke Matsuzaka's trip to the DL and John Smoltz's shaky outing Thursday. They've kept tabs on Jarrod Washburn and Jason Marquis, but will resurgent Colorado want to deal Marquis? The Phils have even scouted Chien-Ming Wang, in case the Yankees make him available. For months, the Phils have been looking for a righthanded bat for the bench. "Why not keep John Mayberry Jr. up?" a rival scout asked. "He might be as good as anything out there and he won't cost anything."

Mets. Despite a rash of injuries to cornerstone talent, they're right in it, thanks to the Phillies' generosity/ineptness. Trades for J.J. Putz and Johan Santana have thinned the farm system, and outfielder Fernando Martinez appears untouchable. That will make it difficult to trade for a first baseman such as Aubrey Huff or Nick Johnson. For now, GM Omar Minaya appears content to ride out the month and determine if Carlos Beltran, Jose Reyes, Carlos Delgado, and Putz can come back and be difference- makers in the second half.

Marlins. Teams could have had infielders Dan Uggla and Jorge Cantu a few weeks ago. Now the Marlins are back in it, and they might have the pitching to stay.

Braves. They've already added Nate McLouth and don't have the payroll space to do much more.

Nationals. Come and get it. Johnson, Julian Tavares, Joe Beimel, Cristian Guzman, Adam Dunn, and Ronnie Belliard could all be had.

NL Central

Cardinals. They have holes in the bullpen and lineup. Albert Pujols has carried the offense. He could use some support. Matt Holliday would be an excellent addition, but the cost would be steep. They filled a void at third base by picking up Mark DeRosa from Cleveland late last night.

Brewers. They've got enough offense to make the playoffs again. There's no CC Sabathia out there, but like last year, Milwaukee needs another starter.

Cubs. "They're the best team in the division, they just have to start playing like it," a scout said. They need a bat, and they'll get one as third baseman Aramis Ramirez, out since May 9 with a dislocated shoulder, is expected back in the next two weeks.

Reds. If they fall out of it, they could have four pitchers that could help teams: Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, David Weathers, and Arthur Rhodes.

Astros. Owner Drayton McLane isn't one to wave the white flag, and even if he was he'd be reluctant to trade personal favorite Roy Oswalt. If the Astros fall out, they could move Tejada and Carlos Lee (if some team has the stomach to take the $55 million he's owed from 2010 to 2012). Relievers Jose Valverde and LaTroy Hawkins and versatile Geoff Blum could all have value if the Astros sell. But that's a big if because this club doesn't like to give up.

Pirates. Headed toward a record 17th straight losing season, the Pirates are already sellers, having sent all-star outfielder McLouth to Atlanta. Word is the Pirates would deal starter Ian Snell and listen on starters Paul Maholm, Zach Duke, and closer Matt Capps. First baseman Adam LaRoche, second baseman Freddy Sanchez, and shortstop Jack Wilson are all in play.