MLB Trade Speculation: Top 20 Players Whose Teams Will Be Looking To Deal Them

While the postseason holds most people's baseball excitement, many team's front offices are already looking ahead to next season.

Who to keep, who to cut and who to trade.

Trades are predicated by numerous things, but mostly cost and ability. Most team's desire to trade their players is based on lack of ability compared to their cost.

If a player is bad, but doesn't make very much, they will typically be cut. It's quick, easy and cheap. When a player is talented, but not to their pay grade, they will typically be traded.

Anyway, here are a number players whose teams will be looking to trade them given their massive salaries and lack of performance.

AJ Burnett

Despite a solid postseason start for Burnett, he has woefully underperformed for the Yankees.

He has a massive contract and an ERA over five this past season.

With the potential but unlikely departure of CC Sabathia, the Yankees need to find another decent starter and Burnett is not him.

BJ Upton

I am still a big Upton fan, but I can see why the Rays might be tired of his performance.

A new setting would be best for Upton and the Rays have plenty of talent in the outfield already.

Alfonso Soriano

Not sure how many lists like this Soriano has made, but until he stops making over $17 million a year to be okay, he's going to keep receiving mentions.

Soriano is an interesting player who got way too large a contract. The Cubs are saddled with a number of poor signings that are plaguing the team's future. Any trade would be a good one for Soriano and the Cubs.

Rafael Soriano

The Yankees might not have to trade Soriano if he opts out of his contract.

He has been okay, but certainly not worth the $10-million-plus per year that he is receiving. It is difficult to trade a middle reliever but if a team had hoped to use him as a closer they might find a willing partner.

John Lackey

No full-time starter had a worse year than John Lackey, and it is difficult to imagine a large bounce back next year.

Best thing for the Red Sox would be to flip him to the Yankees for Burnett and see if both can resurrect their careers on opposite sides of the great rivalry.

Carl Crawford

Although I don't see the Sox unloading Crawford, preferring to try and stick it out, I could see a few interested parties if the Sox would absorb some of the salary.

I think this is a pipe dream for the Red Sox to trade Crawford, but I'm positive the Red Sox would jump at the opportunity.

Jonathan Sanchez

Sanchez is a question wrapped in an enigma, that is, at least in reference to his pitching abilities.

He has a great talent, but can't seem to put it all together for multiple seasons.

The Giants are likely to offer him arbitration and then try to trade him for anything. His heartstrings-pulling pitching style doesn't seem to sit well with the Giants faithful.

Aubrey Huff

The adage goes "pay for what you can do, not for what you've done."

The Giants missed when they signed Aubrey Huff to $22 million over two years.

He was great in 2010 and terrible this season. With Brandon Belt and Brett Pill waiting to strike, the Giants would be pleased to see Aubrey Huff disappear from San Francisco.

Johan Santana

A few years ago, Johan Santana was worth any amount of money.

Now, he's paid a lot, but he's not worth so much.

Best-case scenario, he bounces back big, but that might not happen. The Mets, while unlikely, could try to find a trade partner who would like a reclamation project.

Jayson Werth

Another of the ill-fated contracts to be signed last offseason.

Werth had a very down year, and while he is better than is sub-.250 average and 20 home runs, he's certainly not worth a $100 million contract.

Probably extremely difficult to unload him, but if the Nationals get the opportunity they should strike quickly.

Hanley Ramirez

Hanley could be a great player, but he desperately needs a new environment.

The Marlins need a franchise player to lead them into their new stadium along with new manager Ozzie Guillen.

Perhaps a trade for another maligned superstar would be good for team morale.

Barry Zito

Everybody hates Barry, in San Francisco at least.

It would be foolhardy to blame Zito for the entire issue.

He was given way too much money for a declining career. The Giants are saddled with his large contract and are trying to find a trade partner in the most desperate way.

Perhaps...

Carlos Zambrano

No one in Cubs World needs to be reminded about Carlos Zambrano and all of his issues.

Quick idea: swap Carlos Zambrano for Barry Zito.

Both teams get different pitchers who used to be good—perhaps a resurgence?

Derek Lowe

Derek Lowe is worth $15 million next year. He's at best a fifth starter if the Braves are healthy.

They are in great shape with pitching and if they can find a trade partner to dump his salary, they could be even better.

If teams get desperate for solid pitching Lowe could be a viable candidate.

Adam Dunn

Possibly one of the worst full seasons in history, Adam Dunn is under contract for the next three seasons and without a big turnaround will go down as a terrible contract.

Not sure how to fix Dunn, but if Adam doesn't find his stroke soon, he might be Dunn with the White Sox.

Vernon Wells

I am still reeling over the Angels trading for Vernon Wells.

He is far and above eating up the Angels payroll for the next few years. I don't see anyone else willing to trade for him again.

The Angels might need to catch lightning in a bottle again to unload Wells.

Heath Bell

This is one of the few on this list who is underpaid.

The Padres will need to trade Bell because of his ballooning cost and their tiny payroll. Sign-and-trade is the best move for the Padres.

Scott Rolen

Scott Rolen used to be a very good player; now he is a bit old and overpaid.

The Reds should be looking to offload him.

Jake Peavy

Jake Peavy is an ace, but he hasn't been one for a while.

Teams need to get younger and Peavy's contract is bloated and lasts until 2014.

He makes over $10 million each season and needs to stay healthy to deserve his salary. Perhaps he could be swapped to the North Siders.

Chone Figgins

Figgins and Ichiro were supposed to provide the perfect one-two speed burst to the top of the Mariners lineup.

Suzuki seems to be over the hill and Figgins has been a major disappointment. His contract is a big hurdle to clear before trading him.