MLB Trade Deadline: 10 Players Likely to Be on the Market This Summer

In what has been a busy winter, teams have made a number of roster moves that should no doubt help them to contend this season.

Still, teams will inevitably need to make moves this summer to get themselves over the hump, looking towards non-contending teams with superstars they're willing to part ways with.

Here are a few players who could find themselves moving when the second half of the 2012 season rolls around.

B.J. Upton

The Tampa Bay Rays always seem to contend in a very tough AL East despite never having much flexibility in the payroll department.

They'll run into this obstacle once again in 2012 as B.J. Upton enters the final year of his contract.

Given the team's perceived inability to sign him long-term, they may look to unload him to the highest bidder as soon as he gets hot.

A.J. Burnett

The New York Yankees' rotation got a big upgrade with the team's acquisition of Michael Pineda from the Seattle Mariners.

While they've been open about making A.J. Burnett available, they haven't taken on the burden of eating much salary, thus rendering him relatively untradeable.

If he pitches well early on, they may find a taker, and if he doesn't, they may opt to eat some salary rather than stashing him in the bullpen.

Carlos Lee

Carlos Lee is entering the final year of a $100 million deal with the Houston Astros in 2012.

He certainly won't command the same salary when he hits free agency, but he could still be a valuable pickup for a team in need of a veteran bat for a stretch run.

Francisco Liriano

Francisco Liriano's tenure with the Minnesota Twins has certainly been one filled with ups and downs. He has shown the ability to be a very effective strikeout pitcher, but his inconsistent production has raised some concerns.

With free agency looming, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Twins ship Liriano out of Target Field rather than work out a long-term deal.

Matt Garza

Throughout much of the offseason, there were murmurs about Matt Garza being shipped out of Chicago prior to the start of the 2012 season.

Garza has signed a one-year deal to remain with the Cubs, but as Jon Morosi of Fox Sports points out, the team is still aiming to have a trade in place by the deadline.

Shane Victorino

Shane Victorino has been a mainstay in the Philadelphia Phillies' lineup for years now, and it's hard to picture him playing elsewhere.

At the same time, however, the Phillies have a number of payroll commitments in other areas, and as they look to consider locking in Cole Hamels and possibly Hunter Pence long-term, they'll need to make some tough decisions, not the least of which would be moving Victorino.

Wandy Rodriguez

It's a surprise in itself that Wandy Rodriguez still hasn't been dealt to a team looking to add a solid starting pitcher, but as Rodriguez's contract winds down, you'd think the odds of his move would increase.

He'll be a free agent after 2013, and with the Astros not in a position to contend any time soon, the time could be now to move him and look to build depth in the farm system.

Carlos Quentin

The San Diego Padres will certainly take on a different look in 2012 with a number of their best players leaving town via free agency or trades.

Fortunately, they do have a stable of young talent that provides a great deal of hope for the future, but a veteran bat could help their development, especially with the possibility of Carlos Quentin being a one-and-done in San Diego since he'll be looking to cash in on his first big contract.

Andre Ethier

After a dominant 2009 season in which he hit 31 home runs en route to a sixth-place MVP finish and Silver Slugger award, Andre Ethier saw a slight decline over the past two seasons, playing in fewer games with slightly less-inflated slugging numbers.

With much to prove in 2012, he may warrant a large enough deal to force the Dodgers to consider trading him.

Gavin Floyd

Throughout the early part of the offseason, it seemed like John Danks would most certainly be headed out of Chicago as the White Sox looked to rebuild.

In somewhat of a surprising move, the Sox signed Danks to an extension, ensuring his place in the rotation for years to come.

With that move, Gavin Floyd becomes expendable for Chicago, as he'll enter free agency next offseason and likely won't sign for a number the White Sox will agree to.