Can the Rays exploit other contenders' need for SPs?

Reading Rob Neyer's articles on teams' needs ( http://tinyurl.com/4xoesrd & http://tinyurl.com/43kghd5 ) has me wondering whether the Rays can exploit what seems to be a dearth of starting pitching on numerous contending teams. With so many teams contending - or close enough to believe they are/could - can the Rays take advantage?

Ideally, Jeff Niemann would come back in the next few weeks and pitch effectively to be flipped at the deadline. He has a track record of moderate success in the AL East ('proven winner' - teams have fallen for that before: see Arizona and Joe Saunders), and while obviously his injury problems will limit his potential return, considering the significant need of many teams, and the general parity across baseball, we could potentially get a decent piece. Massive longshot: perhaps a package of Jeff Niemann and prospect(s) gets the blocked Yonder Alonso? Possibly Chris Archer, who, while control continues to be a significant issue, has that dream stuff that teams covet. At least, Archer's and Aroldis Chapman's BB/9s would be interesting. Obviously, feel free to destroy this suggestion - trade proposals are hard! - but I'd certainly love to see a long term piece added to the Rays at the deadline. In this case, I'm probably falling into the trap of overvaluing the Rays' half of the deal, but the trade string involving Archer would be undeniably amazing. Furthermore, the Reds also have some exciting Catchers in Devin Mesoraco and Yasmani Grandal, but it seems they would be more inclined to deal one of their current MLB catchers. However, while the Reds might not be a match, they were thought to have an abundance of starting pitching going into this year which has not panned out and they are a team looking for pitching, among many, and are an example of what I hope the Rays can exploit.

The Rays always need to look long term, and I agree with Steve Slowinski, who I've seen state in the comments about how this year, while the Rays have a chance at the playoffs, they should not and will not jeopardise the long term chances of the club. Pursuant to this though, if the Rays could could make a trade for this year, without damaging their future chances, or to improve over the long term, then the Marlins have a need, considering the corpse of Javier Vazquez and the struggles of Chris Volstad, and the Diamondbacks could look to strengthen their surge. The Rockies are also struggling with pitching, so in a perfect world the Rays would be able to take advantage-aided possibly by Niemann going to the NL. While we do have some great arms in the farm, teams are going to want a proven starter down the stretch, and so Niemann is our only viable option in this regard, unless someone really gets Friedman'd and we get something for Sonnanstine (ahem!). I'd be surprised if we dealt Shields this season, barring catastrophic collapse and therefore, while this is probably dependant on Niemann pitching well and perhaps some optimistic viewing of a general need for SPs, maybe the Rays can take advantage; is there a useful piece for this year and/or beyond that could be acquired with Niemann and a prospect or two. Any suggestions, or am I being optimistic?