Sources: Braves finding it tough to shop Lowe /id/9809468_36_2.jpg by Ken Rosenthal Braves right-hander Derek Lowe turns 37 on June 1. He is guaranteed $15 million in each of the next three seasons. And he had a 6.65 ERA in his final nine starts. So, while Lowe is the starting pitcher the Braves most want to trade, they are finding it difficult to move him, according to major-league sources. The Braves' most extensive discussions concerning Lowe have been with the Brewers about a trade for outfielder Corey Hart, according to one source. But the Brewers are not sure they would want Lowe even if the Braves included significant money in the deal, another source says. Privately, though, the Braves are not discouraged. They believe that if Lowe were a free agent, only one starting pitcher - right-hander John Lackey - would be in higher demand. And they believe that the early interest in Lowe indicates that a trade is possible later in the off-season. Lowe finished 15-10 with a 4.67 ERA last season. He allowed 232 hits, the most of any National League pitcher. But he had 21 quality starts, five fewer than the league leader - and NL Cy Young Award winner - Tim Lincecum. Take away three poor starts, and Lowe's ERA would have been 3.87. Still, teams might prefer to sign less accomplished free-agent pitchers for lesser dollars. The Braves, who have told clubs that they will move a veteran starting pitcher, instead might trade right-hander Javier Vazquez, who is three years younger than Lowe, less expensive at $11.5 milllion and has only one year left on his contract. /id/10399544_36_2.jpg Derek Lowe. (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images) Trading Lowe, though, is the Braves' preferred option. The Angels, who showed interest in Lowe about a month ago, according to sources, could use him to replace Lackey in their rotation. The Braves, seeking a right-handed hitter, like Angels outfielder Juan Rivera. Angels owner Arte Moreno, however, told FOXSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi on Thursday that he has roughly $12 million to spend on improving the club - and he is still trying to sign Lackey, third baseman Chone Figgins and possibly designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero. The White Sox are another potential match for Lowe - first baseman Paul Konerko, another right-handed hitter who would fit the Braves, will earn $12 million next season. Konerko, however, has only one more year remaining on his contract, while Lowe has three years at greater dollars. The Brewers, anxious to bolster their starting pitching, possess more spending power than many clubs. But the team is reluctant to take on Lowe at his age and salary, sources say. After this season, the Brewers will be free of right-hander Jeff Suppan, 34, who is guaranteed $12.5 million in 2010. Lowe is a better pitcher than Suppan, but the Brewers fear taking on another burdensome contract. Hart, 27, is two years away from free agency, and will receive a raise from $3.25 million in arbitration. He is coming off a disappointing season in which he missed more than a month with appendicitis, but the Braves have maintained steady interest in him.