MLB Trade Talk: 7 Players Who Must Be Traded by Deadline

The Major League Baseball trade deadline remains more than three months away on July 31st, but it is never too early to speculate who will be on the move to a contender.

This season, more teams may perceive themselves as contenders due to the addition of the second Wild Card team. Executives may be more inclined to make a deal for a veteran arm or bat which they may have not done in 2011 or prior.

In the case of last year, the Red Sox and Braves would have been the second team in their respective leagues, and possibly prevented their historical collapses.

Here are seven players that should be on the move before the deadline.

BJ Upton

BJ Upton was the second overall pick in the 2002 draft by Tampa Bay. He is still only 27 years old but has failed to have the type of breakout season that his brother, Justin, has had. His best season featured 24 home runs and 82 RBIs. He will be a free agent at the end of the season.

The Rays are loaded in talent and are in position to contend for a World Series title this season. Upton has begun the season on the DL but is expected to return before the end of April.

If the Rays are getting sufficient production defense from their outfield and Upton struggles over the first couple of months, they may shop Upton for help behind the plate or in the bullpen. That way, they can get instant help for their pennant run and not be stuck with draft picks when he hits free agency at the end of the year.

Marlon Byrd

Theo Epstein is attempting to rebuild the Chicago Cubs. It will not be an overnight process, but he has already unloaded some overpaid stars, such as Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Zambrano. Although he will not be able to move Alfonso Soriano, Marlon Byrd can bring back some value.

The 34 year-old center fielder has a .280 career batting average and is a serviceable outfielder. Many teams will be looking to upgrade their offense. Byrd is a logical option, and the Cubs will not be looking to re-sign him when his contract is up after this season. 

Mike Pelfrey

Mets fans may not have the most positive things to say about the 6'7" right-hander, but he certainly has some trade value to other big league clubs.

He has averaged 200 innings per year in his career, with 11 victories. While that may not be enough to carry a team into October, he can fill a spot in the rotation if a team is in need.

With the Mets looking to begin their new era of pitching prospects with Wheeler, Harvey and Famiglia, Pelfrey seems like the obvious choice to be the odd man out in 2013. Alderson may look to deal Pelfrey if the Mets fall out of contention early.

Carlos Lee

The Houston Astros signed Carlos Lee to a six-year $100 million deal prior to the 2007 season. The deal will be up at the end of this season.

The man known as "El Caballo" has had a terrific career compiling a .286 batting average and 349 home runs. He can be a big help to a team down the stretch, and the Astros may look to receive prospects as opposed to draft picks at the end of the season.

Ryan Dempster

The Chicago Cubs signed Ryan Dempster to a lucrative four-year $52 million deal prior to the 2009 season. He has had a respectable career, highlighted by his 2008 season in which he won 17 games with a 2.96 ERA.

The Cubs have had back-to-back sub .500 seasons and are looking to rebuild the franchise. Dempster is another one of their expensive players and can be a help to a contending team at the deadline.

He will be a free agent at the end of the year and could move to an NL West team that is in the thick of the race.

Jake Peavy

Even Jake Peavy has grown frustrated with the lack of progression in his career and would consider a move to the bullpen if it would benefit his career, as he told Barry Bloom of MLB.com.

Peavy will be a free agent at the end of the season, when his three-year $52 million deal comes to a conclusion.

He has had consecutive sub-par seasons, as he has been dealing with various injuries to his throwing arm.

The White Sox are clearly not the favorite in the AL Central with the powerhouse Tigers appearing to be the class of the division. General manager Ken Williams may look to deal the oft-injured righty to net some sort of return on his investment if the White Sox are not in the thick of the race.

Brian Fuentes

Brian Fuentes has had a solid, if unspectacular, big league career spanning 12 seasons. He will be a free agent at the end of the season.

His tenure with the Athletics has been a tumultuous one, as he finished last season with a 2-8 record, and complained to the media about his role.

This season, manager Bob Geren has selected Grant Balfour to be the closer to begin the season, which does not sit well with the prideful Fuentes.

Look for general manager Billy Beane to make a move before the deadline. Fuentes can fill in as a closer for a team in need, potentially the Red Sox, and help their quest for October baseball.