You’re more than halfway through the season, and the team’s starters are barely getting past the fifth inning. The middle relievers aren’t doing their job and new swear words are invented whenever the closer steps on the mound.

Sounds familiar?

You’re not the only one feeling the pain.  Pitching is arguably the most sought after piece during the busy July trading month. Teams will mortgage their future to get that extra reliever or that closer to ensure a few more victories.  So with that said, here are PRO Rumors top 10 relievers likely to be moved by July 31:

10.  Kerry Wood, Cleveland Indians: If this were July 2009 or July 2008, then Wood would be higher up on this list. The big problems with Wood is his inconsistency and the remainder of the $10.5 million that is owed to him this year. The Indians are looking to move him, but so far it’s just rumors being circulated. His name has been mentioned with the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies.

9. Heath Bell, San Diego Padres: Bell was one of the hottest names this Spring, so hot that the Padres do not have a bobblehead day scheduled for this season. His name came up as a replacement to the injured Joe Nathan of the Minnesota Twins. The Padres are unlikely to move Bell unless they can acquire a significant bat in return. Bell is relatively affordable and he will be arbitration-eligible after the season, so there’s plenty of upside for a prospective buyer.

8. Chad Qualls, Arizona Diamondbacks: The Diamondbacks are ready to sell and Qualls could be the next to go. He’s been mentioned as candidates for the Boston Red Sox.  Big problem is his numbers – not too good. The 31-year-old is 1-4 with 12 saves and a 8.60 ERA. He has a WHIP of 2.110, but he does have 9.2 SO/9 ratio.

7. Kyle Farnsworth, Kansas City Royals: Last week the Detroit Tigers had scouts watching the Royals. The Tigers are in need of relief pitching since Joel Zumaya is out for the year. He also could be an option for the Red Sox. Farnsworth is 2-0 with a 1.98 ERA in 29 appearances this year for the Royals.

6. Matt Capps, Washington Nationals: With the Nationals likely out of the playoff contention this year, the team is focused on adding youth to compliment their young studs: Stephen Strasburg and soon-to-be-National Bryce Harper. Capps is 3-3 with a 3.18 ERA 23 saves, and he is owed the balance of the one-year, $3.5 million contract he signed in Janaury. Capps is at his peak value now, and if the Nats trade him, the team could get by with Tyler Clippard and Drew Storen closing out the late innings.

5. David Aardsma, Seattle Mariners: Aardsma’s name has come up in rumors involving the Minnesota Twins and the Detroit Tigers. The Mariners are already preparing for the 2011 season and beyond, so there’s no reason they won’t move Aardsma as soon as possible. It was expected that Aardsma would be moved as soon as Cliff Lee was dealt. Aardsma is 0-6 with 16 saves and a 5.40 ERA this season. He is signed through this season on a one-year, $2.75 million contract.

4. Octavio Dotel, Pittsburgh Pirates: The Pirates are interested in dealing Dotel, despite Dotel having no desire to leave Pittsburgh. He is signed for $3.25 million for this season, and there’s a $4.5 million club option for 2011. Earlier this month, the Florida Marlins inquired about Dotel. The 36-year-old is 2-2 witha  4.89 ERA and has 19 saves this season.

3. Leo Nunez, Florida Marlins: The Marlins are pretty much done for the 2010 season, so they are better off planning for the future. The 26-year-old right-hander has impressed many scouts and he could be one of those trading chips that teams would over pay for. Nunez is making $2 million this season and he’ll be entering his second season of arbitration next year, so he’ll be very attractive to perspective buyers trying to solidify their bullpen. If the Marlins deal Nunez, Clay Hensley would become a candidate to close the rest of the season. Nunez currently is 3-2 with a 2.95 ERA and 20 saves.

2. Jason Frasor, Toronto Blue Jays: Like his teammate Scott Downs, Frasor has been made available by the Jays. Frasor, 32, is 3-2 with a 4.67 ERA in 30 appearances this season. He will become a free agent at the end of this year, and is being paid $2.65 million. Frasor will likely be a Type B free agent after the season.

1. Scott Downs, Toronto Blue Jays: The Jays have made Downs available, and the Boston Red Sox could be candidates (even though they both are in the AL East). The left-hander is making $4 million this season and has a 2.65 ERA. He’s particularly effective against left-handers, who are hitting just .208 against him. Earlier this month, the Philadelphia Phillies also had interest in the lefty. One thing to note is that Downs will likely be a Type-A free agent after the season.

Honorable mention:

Kevin Gregg, Toronto Blue Jays: Gregg has also been made available by the Blue Jays. The 32-year-old is 0-3 with a 3.67 ERA and 20 saves out of 23 opportunites. He’s making $2.75 million this year, and there are club options for 2011-12 ($2 million and $4.5 million respectively) with a $750,000 buyout.

Related posts:

1. Cafardo on key players who may be traded by the July Trade Deadline
2. Heath Bell Trade Rumors: Heath Bells Thoughts on a Possible Trade
3. State of the MLB Trade Deadline market
4. Blue Jays Trade Rumors: What they want for Frasor and Downs
5. Blue Jays looking to deal arms?