The Windup focuses on developing trends in major-league pitching. Check back every Tuesday for the latest advice and info to help you build a quality Fantasy staff

If you've observed the Florida Marlins or Tampa Bay Devil Rays recently, you know that quality starting pitching is becoming more scarce. Trying to acquire Mike Mussina or Curt Schilling in today's tight Roto trade market is next to impossible.

Owners of other top pitchers won't deal away a Barry Zito at all, or they'll ask for too much from you. So what can you do if you're in dire need of starting pitching help?

You can acquire one of the following underrated starters, who can help your staff more than you might think. These pitchers won't command too much in trade talks, and some of them might be available on the free-agent list in some mixed leagues. Here's the guys who can help you improve without forcing you to trade away your superstars.

Kyle Lohse: He only has a 3-3 record, but his 3.57 ERA and 1.01 WHIP make Lohse a great value. He complements a formidable fastball with a good slider. Lohse has already faced the Yankees twice, so there can only be better starts ahead against lesser opponents.

Carl Pavano: He has managed to stay healthy, and Pavano would gain more notice with added run support. His curve is showing added "hop" lately, and Pavano is gaining more importance in the Florida rotation because of injuries. He won't hurt you too badly in the ERA category, and he has worked himself out of some difficult situations to preserve a respectable 4.14 mark.

Ryan Franklin: He's not one of the big names on the Mariners, but Franklin gets the job done in respectable fashion. He has not walked more than three batters in a start so far, and has worked at least six innings in all of them, while maintaining a tidy 3.80 ERA.

Tim Redding: He doesn't blow opposing hitters away regularly, yet Redding has registered as many as seven strikeouts in a start. He is prone to walking some hitters, but Redding knows how to get the tough outs and has not been prone to falling apart when runners are on base. He can get the tough outs.

Jason Johnson: Some owners think it's a mirage that he is 4-1, but Johnson is well on his way to having a breakthrough year. Because he plays for Baltimore, you can land him at a pretty cheap rate. His ERA and WHIP numbers have been superb, and they are no mirage.

Kris Benson: Because of his injury history and the fact that he plays for the Pirates, Benson doesn't get the recognition he deserves. Yet he has managed to pitch respectably, and is still capable of overmatching hitters for extended stretches.

Chris George: He doesn't get much fanfare, yet he doesn't allow too many hits and walks, either. George doesn't always last deep into games, but he can keep the Royals in their games, and with consistent run support, he's going to continue winning.

Zach Day: The word on him is filtering out quickly. Day knows how to work out of trouble, and he isn't intimidated by marquee opponents or hitter's parks. Get him before the price starts rising.

Nate Cornejo: Here's a Tigers pitcher who is actually over .500 and might be available in your league as a free agent. He has worked at least six innings in each of his past six starts, while not walking more than three hitters in a start. Wins might be hard to come by, but Cornejo can keep your ERA and WHIP respectable.

Jae Seo: He might hold onto his rotation spot when David Cone returns. Seo has walked only six batters in seven appearances, six of which have been starts. Seo can certainly help your WHIP and ERA, and he'll start picking up some victories if he gets some more run support soon.