And through the first half of 2008, Milwaukee is again in the hunt, hot on the Cubs' trail.

But the Brewers, like the rest of this year's contending class, are looking for help, specifically starting pitching.

With Yovani Gallardo likely out for the season with torn ACL in his right knee, and resources scarce at Triple-A Nashville, the Brewers are reportedly in the market for a starter to join the rotation of Jeff Suppan, Ben Sheets, Manny Parra and David Bush. Seth McClung and Carlos Villanueva have also been used as spot starters.

Indians left-hander C.C. Sabathia is on everyone's list, but two Padres starters -- right-hander Greg Maddux and left-hander Randy Wolf -- have been linked to the Brewers.

Prior to the series finale in Arizona, Brewers general manager Doug Melvin, assistant GM Gord Ash, and manager Ned Yost held a lengthy meeting in Yost's office on Thursday.

Yost would not reveal the context of the meeting, but the coincidence was not lost on the reporters in the visiting clubhouse. The Padres were en route to play a weekend series with the Diamondbacks.

Right-handers Matt Cain of the Giants and Kansas City's Zach Greinke have also been linked to the Brewers, but Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reported that Melvin would rather have a starter sooner than later, and believes Cain and Greinke are candidates for offseason moves.

"Teams may be willing to move now because maybe they can get more," Melvin said. "It's all a waiting game."

Sabathia is commanding the headlines as this summer's prize and Maddux wouldn't exactly be a low-profile acquisition.

Flying with less fanfare but greater affordability are players like Matt Stairs, Yorvit Torrealba, Rod Barajas and Ron Mahay.

For teams looking for catching help, Torrealba and Barajas are reportedly available. Torrealba has seen his playing time trimmed in recent weeks with the development of Chris Iannetta as the Rockies' starting catcher and Colorado could be interested in moving him, as they continue to fade in the NL West.

Torrealba went 2-for-4 with a homer in the Rockies' 8-1 victory over the Padres on Wednesday and he's gone 13-for-30 with a pair of home runs and six RBIs in his last eight games. But it's taken Torrealba 20 days to play those eight games, and the 29-year-old would like to get more games behind the plate.

He hasn't been silent about his desire to play more, but Torrealba also has not been a distraction in the Rockies clubhouse. Yet, he's still given thought to the fact his opportunities may lie elsewhere.

"Maybe, to be honest with you. You never know," Torrealba told MLB.com. "One day you're here, the next day they move you somewhere. I'd like to play more often, although I'm really happy Chris is playing well."

The Denver Post has reported that Torrealba is available but is still owed more than $5 million through next season, which could prove to be an obstacle.

A more affordable option at catcher might be Barajas, who is making $400,000 this season and has a $2.5 million option next year along with a $500,000 buyout. Barajas is hitting .276 with six homers and 25 RBIs while playing 47 games at catcher.

With the Jays currently in last place in the American League East and 12 games back of the front-running Rays, general manager J.P. Ricciardi could find it difficult to say no to trade offers as the July 31 non-waiver deadline gets closer.

Catcher Gregg Zaun and shortstop David Eckstein will be free agents at the end of the season, while Stairs is signed through next year and will make just $1 million in 2009. That could be reasonable enough for the Jays to simply decide to hang on to the 40-year-old, but the Dodgers are apparently interested.

Ken Rosenthal of Foxsports.com reported the Dodgers are looking for a left-handed bat and are considering Stairs, who has appeared mostly as a designated hitter this season, but can still play either corner outfield spot.

Brian Fuentes is still considered the most coveted reliever this trading season and has attracted the interest of a half-dozen or so clubs. One team that may have seen its needs grow more acute is the Rays, who've lost Troy Percival to the disabled list with a strained left hamstring. Fuentes is making $5.05 million this year and will be a free agent at the end of the 2008 season.

A cheaper option, to at least add bullpen depth, is Mahay. The 37-year-old is not a candidate to close but is a versatile left-hander who can pitch multiple innings and set up the back end of the bullpen.

Mahay is making $4 million this season and is signed through 2009 for another $4 million.