MLB Trade Talk: Projecting How Much All 30 Teams Might Spend in July

With teams finally getting into the swing of things early in the 2012 season, it may still be a bit premature to speculate on who may be moving between now and this summer's trade deadline.

But as the spring moves on, some teams will no doubt look to fill holes to contend as others look to unload payroll and plan for the future.

Every team inevitably finds themselves in this situation, as a number of players are poised to head into different markets during the dog days of summer.

Whether or not these teams make moves happen will remain to be seen, but here are some possible options nonetheless for teams looking to make a change before July's trade deadline.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Less Than $5 Million

The Arizona Diamondbacks used role players and solid pitching to lead the way to the postseason last fall, and with the addition of a great offensive bat in Jason Kubel this past offseason, the team has their sights on contending once again.

As will be the case with most teams, needs for the second half of the season are mostly undefined, but when they are finally understood, the Diamondbacks likely wouldn't shy away from making a cost-effective move.

Atlanta Braves: $5-10 Million

It would no doubt take a lot to get the New York Mets to budge on star third baseman, David Wright. But the Atlanta Braves likely wouldn't shy away from giving serious consideration to make a play on Wright as a potential replacement for Chipper Jones if they were truly in a position to contend.

Picking up Wright's option for 2013 could quell any such idea, but in the meantime, the Braves will likely look to do whatever they can to replace what they'll be missing when Jones makes his exit.

Baltimore Orioles: Selling

The Baltimore Orioles have given their pitching rotation a new look for 2012, with Tsuyoshi Wada and Wei-Yin Chen in, and Jeremy Guthrie out.

The team has been playing well early this season, though if they come back towards the bottom of the AL East as many would expect, they'll once again be in a position to sell at the deadline as they look to put pieces in place for future years.

Boston Red Sox: $5-10 Million

Off to a very slow start this year, the Boston Red Sox appear to be in a bit of a panic mode, with Bobby Valentine already in the hot seat.

Failure doesn't sit well in Boston, as evidenced by last season's collapse, so you'd have to believe the team will be on the lookout for any help they can get.

They've actually already shown themselves to be buyers, acquiring outfielder Marlon Byrd from the Chicago Cubs just a few days ago.

Chicago Cubs: Selling

The Chicago Cubs have already shown their willingness to sell, as the long-awaited departure of Marlon Byrd finally came as he was shipped off to Boston.

Constant rumors surrounding Matt Garza's departure lead many to believe they'll be selling this summer, and while they probably won't be able to move Alfonso Soriano and his contract, the Cubs would likely love to move it if they could.

Chicago White Sox: Less Than $5 Million

There weren't many people outside of Chicago that expected the White Sox to contend in the AL Central this year after a dismal 2011 season, but just a few weeks into the season they're off to a solid start.

It's hard to say what will happen with the White Sox at this point. GM Kenny Williams is the type of guy that would bring in a player if the team appears close to contention, while he also probably won't shy away from blowing up parts of the team at the deadline if things fall apart.

Cincinnati Reds: Less Than $5 Million

The Cincinnati Reds have shored up many important parts of their roster in recent months, trading for ace Mat Latos and signing stars Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips for the long-term. In doing so, they've somewhat handcuffed themselves when it comes to midseason deals, and while they could very well end up buying in July, they'll need to be cautious of how they proceed.

Cleveland Indians: Selling

Off to another solid start this season, the Cleveland Indians are hoping this year that they've got what it takes to hang on atop the AL Central and earn themselves a postseason berth.

They spent a lot in order to get Ubaldo Jimenez last year, however, and with players like Travis Hafner unlikely to return after 2012, there's a chance they may inevitably end up moving payroll this summer rather than taking it on.

Colorado Rockies: Less Than $5 Million

The Colorado Rockies shipped out a pitcher with a high upside in trading Ubaldo Jimenez to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for some high-value prospects.

They now have Jeremy Guthrie in the rotation, in addition to a number of talented young pitchers who can certainly perform, but may still want to add a pitcher who can eat up innings and take over games in the process.

Detroit Tigers: $5-10 Million

In signing Prince Fielder this past offseason, the Detroit Tigers made a statement to the rest of the league that they're going all-in and plan on being contenders on an annual basis.

They could still use some help in their starting rotation, though, and as other needs potentially surface when July rolls around, the Tigers could find themselves taking on even more payroll as they look to build the best roster in the league.

Houston Astros: Selling

The Houston Astros will almost certainly be sellers this year as the trade deadline rolls around, as players like Wandy Rodriguez and Carlos Lee have been targets for quite some time, and the team has actually voiced some openness to eating part of the contracts in order to get a deal done.

Kansas City Royals: Selling

Kansas City came into the 2012 season as a popular dark-horse pick for a team that could exceed expectations.

It was thought that with a combination of the right veteran presence and plenty of youthful prospects ready to emerge, the team could do big things.

They've gotten off to a horrible start this year, losing all of their home games thus far, and with contention likely out of their plans for 2012, they could be working more and more on building for the future.

Los Angeles Angels: Less Than $5 Million

For a team that's established the fact that they're not afraid to spend money to get wins, the Los Angeles Angels would surely be a candidate to spend at the trade deadline to get themselves over the hump.

While it's quite possible they will make one or two big-name acquisitions to boost their chances in the second half, there's also the possibility of the team moving Bobby Abreu, lowering the bottom line number for what they'll be spending.

Los Angeles Dodgers: $5-10 Million

The Los Angeles Dodgers have gotten off to a very hot start this season, thanks in great part to the play of superstars Matt Kemp and Clayton Kershaw.

With a new ownership group committed to helping the Dodgers compete for years to come, the team may be willing to spend some more money this summer as they look to lock down the NL West.

Miami Marlins: Less Than $5 Million

The Miami Marlins made a big splash this offseason when they signed Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle and Heath Bell to large contracts before the season began.

As they look to contend in their brand new ballpark, they'll likely need to proceed mostly as-is, with the payroll likely about as inflated as it will get.

Milwaukee Brewers: Less Than $5 Million

In their first year of the post-Prince Fielder era, the Milwaukee Brewers are still poised to contend in a tough NL Central that will surely be fought until the end of September.

While Shaun Marcum does have one of the game's best changeups and can be an effective option on the mound, concerns over the health of his shoulder could lead the Brewers to make a move on another starter as they battle in the second half of the season.

Minnesota Twins: Selling

Off to a dismal start this season even with health finally on their side, the Minnesota Twins don't appear to be in any condition to contend in the AL Central this year. With the team clearly in a rebuilding mode, they'll likely look to unload viable trade options at the deadline in an effort to further build up their farm system for future seasons.

New York Mets: Selling

Given the position the New York Mets find themselves in it would be hard to believe they'll be buying as this summer's trade deadline approaches.

They have enough young arms in their system to believe the future is bright for the organization, so it may make sense for the team to consider moving a valuable position player like David Wright or Jason Bay if they can get a heavily inflated asking price.

New York Yankees: More Than $10 Million

Any time you're having a discussion about potential buyers during the trade deadline, you have to know the New York Yankees will emerge as a perennial candidate to take on talent.

They appear to have a well-rounded roster that's got what it takes to reach the postseason once again, but with Michael Pineda's status somewhat uncertain and other injuries just one wrong step away, it'd be hard to see a deadline go by where the Yankees didn't spend some money.

Oakland Athletics: Selling

Billy Beane and the Oakland Athletics are always good for a few surprises, so it would be hard to believe too many people were shocked when as many players involving the A's swapped clubhouses recently, with Andrew Bailey and Gio Gonzalez departing, and Manny Ramirez and Yoenis Cespedes signing with Oakland.

With a very tough AL West ahead of them, the A's may end up being sellers at the deadline, though it's hard to comprehend exactly who they would be moving.

Philadelphia Phillies: $5-10 Million

After a disappointing (and brief) run in last year's postseason, the Philadelphia Phillies will no doubt do anything in their power to make sure they don't have a repeat performance this time around.

Their offense is struggling a bit right now, and while things should certainly change over the course of the next few months, picking up a bat to help the team score some runs for their strong rotation would probably pay off.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Selling

The Pittsburgh Pirates are currently hovering around the .500 mark and appear to have what it takes to at least hang around in the NL Central for most of the season. Last year they made some small moves to work on competing down the stretch, though they ultimately fell short.

This year they may be selling no matter what the circumstances, as they've devoted a great deal of available funds to extending Andrew McCutchen and may not have much wiggle room left.

San Diego Padres: Less Than $5 Million

The San Diego Padres made some good moves this past offseason in unloading Mat Latos for a number of valuable prospects that will produce for years to come, and also acquiring Carlos Quentin in an effort to boost the Padres struggling offense.

Quentin is in his final year before free agency, and keeping in mind that he'll be looking to cash in on his first opportunity at a lucrative deal, you would think the Padres may be quick to flip him to the highest bidder rather than let him walk, though keeping him around and working out a long-term deal could prove to be the best option for the organization as a whole.

San Francisco Giants: Less Than $5 Million

The San Francisco Giants made perhaps the biggest move they'll make this year already when they signed Matt Cain to a lucrative contract extension prior to the start of the season.

They should be relatively set in the rotation, but as the season moves along, they could find that they still need additional bats to support their staff.

Seattle Mariners: Selling

With 2012 being Brandon League's final season before entering the free-agent market, the Seattle Mariners could work to trade him to a team in need of the late-inning help in order to inject the farm system with additional depth.

Teams like the Reds, Angels and Red Sox have been noted as potential suitors for League, and as the season shakes itself out and needs are better defined, a move may well take place.

St. Louis Cardinals: $5-10 Million

Despite losing the best offensive player they've seen in years, the defending world champion St. Louis Cardinals have managed to get off to a great start in 2012 and appear primed for another postseason run.

As is the case with most teams, the Cardinals could probably benefit from some additional pitching help, be it from Roy Oswalt or another option that rears its head this summer.

Tampa Bay Rays: Less Than $5 Million

The Tampa Bay Rays are continual contenders in the AL East despite typically having a substandard payroll in comparison to their divisional peers.

They're off to a good start once again in 2012, and while they would in theory be in a position to sell this summer with players like B.J. Upton potentially readying for a free-agency departure, they won't be able to do so if they're sitting in prime position.

Instead, the team appears to already be looking to buy—as they are close to working out a deal to sign Hideki Matsui to a one-year deal.

Texas Rangers: Less Than $5 Million

With a big commitments made to Yu Darvish and Ian Kinsler in recent months, the Texas Rangers have locked in two players that promise to contribute for years down the road.

With a potential contract battle brewing with Josh Hamilton this coming offseason, the Rangers may not have much money to spend on acquiring help this summer, though a role player wouldn't be out of the question for any contender.

Toronto Blue Jays: Less Than $5 Million

The Toronto Blue Jays definitely have a stellar offense on the field day in and day out, and while they have some good pieces in the starting rotation, it wouldn't be surprising to see them look outside the organization for some help.

They made a play for Yu Darvish this past offseason, and even though they may wait until the offseason to secure long-term help, a midseason acquisition could help them in the short term.

Washington Nationals: Less Than $5 Million

The Washington Nationals' decision to buy big this offseason has clearly paid off early on, as they're one of baseball's hottest teams with the help of new faces like Gio Gonzalez and Edwin Jackson.

With Ryan Zimmerman signed on long-term to a lucrative deal and players like Stephen Strasburg in tow, the Nationals have plenty of pieces to compete.

They may be able to add an additional bullpen arm or potentially a position player, but with a payroll growing quickly they may opt to keep those decisions to a minimum.