MLB Trade Speculation: One Expendable Piece from All 30 Teams

The buzz of the MLB offseason is around who will add the superstar free agents set to hit the open market, and rightfully so, as there are a number of difference makers available this winter.

However, when it comes to building a winner, a GM can't simply make significant additions to their team but must also manage their roster and know when to cut ties with underperforming players for the good of the roster.

So here is a look at one player from each MLB team who is expendable, someone who you can expect to be moved or released if their teams have anything to say about it.

Atlanta Braves: Derek Lowe

2011 Stats

34 GS, 9-17, 5.05 ERA, 137 Ks, 187 IP, -0.4 WAR

After winning 15 and 16 games the previous two seasons, Derek Lowe finally showed signs of his age this past season as the 38-year-old's sinker found the middle of the plate far too often.

Considering he is due $15 million in the final year of his contract this coming year and is coming off a season in which he led the NL with 17 losses and saw his ERA spike by over a point, the Braves will likely have to eat the majority of his salary to move him.

However, with veteran Tim Hudson joined by a stable of impressive young pitchers in Tommy Hanson, Jair Jurrjens, Brandon Beachy, Mike Minor, Julio Teheran and Randall Delgado, the Braves simply don't need Lowe and having him occupy a rotation spot will only impede the growth of one of those prospects.

Florida Marlins: Logan Morrison

2011 Stats

.247/.330/.468, 23 HR, 72 RBI, 54 R, 0.2 WAR

The Marlins made waves last season when they demoted 23-year-old Logan Morrison, and he filed a grievance against the team.

Morrison is a very talented young outfielder and should only get better as he progresses, but he and the Marlins seem to have reached the end of the road as far as working together.

Teams will likely line up for his services, but it is clear that the Marlins are planning for a future without Morrison and have deemed him expendable.

New York Mets: Angel Pagan

2011 Stats

.262 BA, 7 HR, 56 RBI, 68 R, 32 SB, 0.2 WAR

Angel Pagan was one of the biggest surprises of the 2010 season as he stepped into an everyday role for the first time in his career and hit .290 BA, 11 HR, 69 RBI, 37 SB while playing terrific defense.

He came back to Earth in 2011 though as his numbers dipped across the board, and his defense was nowhere near what it was in previous seasons. While injuries had something to do with that, he could very well be on his way out as the Mets begin to reshape their roster.

In his final year of arbitration, Pagan made $3.5 million last season and will at least be looking to hold at that salary. Top prospect Fernando Martinez should get a long look this spring and could be the Opening Day center fielder, but regardless, it likely won't be Pagan.

Philadelphia Phillies: Joe Blanton

2011 Stats

11 G, 8 GS, 1-2, 5.01 ERA, 35 Ks, 41.1 IP, -0.1 WAR

After the Phillies signed Cliff Lee last winter, it immediately became apparent that Joe Blanton would no longer play a significant role on the team, and while the team would have liked to trade him, it was tough to move his $10.5 million salary.

While his salary is not much better in 2012 at $8.5 million, the team has even less need for him with the emergence of Vance Worley this past season, and they will likely be looking to move him regardless of the return with potential for him to be released.

Blanton is still just 30 years old and has decent stuff. If he is released, he could likely be signed to a very reasonable deal and would represent a low-risk, potentially decent reward starter for a small-market team.

Washington Nationals: Adam LaRoche

2011 Stats

.172/.288/.258, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 15 R, 0.0 WAR

Coming off a good season with the Diamondbacks in 2010 in which he hit .261 BA, 25 HR, 100 RBI the Nationals signed Adam LaRoche to a two-year, $16 million deal.

However, injuries limited him to just 43 games in 2011, and he was unimpressive when he was on the field hitting just .172 BA, 3 HR, 15 RBI over 151 at-bats.

That injury paved the way for Michael Morse to work his way into the starting lineup, and he enjoyed a breakout season hitting .303 BA, 31 HR, 95 RBI, all of which were team highs. Morse will likely earn a significant raise from the $1.05 million he made last season, but he will likely still be cheaper than LaRoche, and he is also two years younger.

Chicago Cubs: Koyie Hill

2011 Stats

.194/.268/.276, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 15 R, -0.9 WAR

The Cubs are on their way to a full-on rebuild, and a number of prospects could see significant roles next season. One such prospect is catcher Welington Castillo, who should slide into the backup catcher role and even could push Geovany Soto for the starting job.

Castillo hit .287 BA, 16 HR, 42 RBI last season and will come at the league minimum. If he can perform well, he could also make Geovany Soto expendable as the Cubs have another good young catcher in Steve Clevenger, and he and Castillo could make up the catching duo by 2012.

With that in mind, the Koyie Hill era will almost certainly be over in Chicago, as he brings nothing to the table offensively and is nothing special defensively, either.

Cincinnati Reds: Edinson Volquez

2011 Stats

20 GS, 5-7, 5.71 ERA, 104 Ks, 108.2 IP, -1.0 WAR

While it was a risky move to deal Josh Hamilton following his breakout return season, the Reds looked to have made the right decision when the player they got in return, Edinson Volquez, went 17-6 with a 3.21 ERA in his first season with the team.

Since then, however, he has gone a combined 13-12 with a 5.01 ERA in 41 starts over the past three seasons. He was demoted midway through last season and went 0-3 with a 4.94 ERA in four late-season starts.

The Reds should have a fairly easy time finding a take for Volquez if they make him available on the trade market, and they will have to decide if that is their next move with the 27-year-old right-hander.

Houston Astros: Brandon Lyon

2011 Stats

15 G, 3-3, 4 Saves, 11.48 ERA, 6 Ks, 13.1 IP, -1.7 WAR

Brandon Lyon has bounced back-and-forth between the closer's role and middle relief throughout his career, and when he hit the open market prior to the 2010 season, the Astros signed him to a three-year, $15 million deal to pitch in the ninth.

He had a solid first season, saving 20 games and posting a 3.12 ERA. However, he managed just 15 appearances this past season before bicep surgery ended his season.

With Lyon shelved, Mark Melancon, who was acquired in the deal that sent Lance Berkman to the Yankees, took over the closer's role and pitched well enough that he should retain that job in 2012. That makes Lyon a vastly overpaid setup man, and the Astros would be wise to do all they can to move him.

Milwaukee Brewers: Yuniesky Betancourt

2011 Stats

.252/.271/.381, 13 HR, 68 RBI, 51 R, 0.7 WAR

The Brewers made noise when they acquired Zack Greinke from the Royals last offseason, but in the process, they sent their shortstop of the future Alcides Escobar to Kansas City and acquired Yuniesky Betancourt.

Betancourt has solid power for a shortstop, but that is about it, and the Brewers hold a $6 million option on him next season with a $2 million buyout, and they will likely take advantage of that.

The team does not necessarily have someone to step in and take his place, but his contract alone makes him expendable. Look for the team to go after someone like Clint Barmes as a low-cost option in 2012.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Ross Ohlendorf

2011 Stats

9 GS, 1-3, 8.15 ERA, 27 Ks, 38.2 IP, -1.6 WAR

The Pirates pulled off one of the best deals in recent years when they sent Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte to the Yankees for four players who have all made an impact in Pittsburgh of late. The first one to make his mark was Ross Ohlendorf, and he was arguably the Pirates' best pitcher in 2009.

Following an 11-10 record and 3.92 ERA in 2009, Ohlendorf fell off in 2010 and posted a 1-11 record, although his 4.07 ERA indicates his record should not have been quite that bad.

Injuries limited him to just nine starts this past season and posted a dismal 8.15 ERA while averaging just over four innings per start. After making over $2 million last season, he will no doubt be non-tendered as the Pirates continue to move towards contention.

St. Louis Cardinals: Ryan Theriot

2011 Stats

,271/.321/.342, 1 HR, 47 RBI, 46 R, 0.0 WAR

The Cardinals set out to upgrade offensively at the shortstop position this past offseason, and seemingly did so in moving Brendan Ryan and acquiring Ryan Theriot in separate trades.

At the end of the day, however, Theriot is an average offensive player at best who is much better suited to be a second baseman than at shortstop given his limited range and lack of arm strength and that led to the team acquiring Rafael Furcal from the Dodgers for the stretch run.

After making $3.3 million this past season, Theriot is likely on his way out regardless of whether or not the team re-signs Furcal as he simply doesn't produce enough to warrant that kind of money.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Zach Duke

2011 Stats

21 G, 9 GS, 3-4, 4.93 ERA, 32 Ks, 76.2 IP, -0.1 WAR

Traded for last offseason in an effort to bring a veteran presence to a very young rotation, the Diamondbacks only got nine starts out of Zach Duke, as he spent the majority of the season in the bullpen.

With Ian Kennedy, Daniel Hudson, Josh Collmenter, Joe Saunders and one of a handful of impressive young rookies expected to make up the 2012 rotation, it is almost a certainty that the Diamondbacks decline Duke's $5.5 million mutual option and pay the $750,000 it will cost to buy him out.

That said, his numbers weren't horrible, and he is still just 29 years old. Expect him to catch on somewhere in 2012 albeit for significantly less money.

Colorado Rockies: Ryan Spilborghs

2011 Stats

.210/.283/.305, 3 HR, 22 RBI, 22 R, -1.8 WAR

After posting solid numbers the past several seasons in a platoon role in right field, Ryan Spilborghs officially fell into the fourth outfielder category this past season as Seth Smith broke out as the everyday right fielder with a line of .284 BA, 15 HR, 59 RBI, 10 SB.

The Rockies were adamant about not trading Spilborghs at the deadline, but with the starting outfield set and up-and-comers Eric Young Jr. and Charlie Blackmon also in the mix for at-bats, it would appear that Spliborghs is the most expendable.

He will be 32 years old next season and could make over $2 million in his final year of arbitration so look for him to be non-tendered if the Rockies can't find a taker for Spliborghs this winter.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Casey Blake

2011 Stats

.252/.342/.371, 4 HR, 26 RBI, 32 R, 0.6 WAR

A steady producer for the Dodgers since joining the team midseason in 2008, Casey Blake seemed to finally hit the wall last season as the 37-year-old struggled to stay on the field and underperformed when he was playing.

Blake is in the final year of his contract and has a $6 million team option with a $1.25 million buyout, and with Juan Uribe signed through 2013, they have a veteran who can immediately step in for Blake.

In a weak third-base market with little to speak of beyond Aramis Ramirez, there may be a market for Blake so despite his advanced age this might not be the end of the road for him.

San Diego Padres: Brad Hawpe

2011 Stats

.231/.301/.344, 4 HR, 19 RBI, 19 R, -0.6 WAR

After four solid seasons with the Rockies, Brad Hawpe was released in August of the 2010 season, and after a brief stint with the Rays, he hit the open market this past winter with very little interest surrounding him.

In the end, the Padres took a chance on him in desperate need of some power in their lineup, but he managed just 62 games before hitting the disabled list for the season.

The Padres hold a $6 million option in him next season, with a $1 million buyout, and with stud-prospect Anthony Rizzo ready to step in at first base, expect Hawpe to be bought out.

San Francisco Giants: Jonathan Sanchez

2011 Stats

19 GS, 4-7, 4.26 ERA, 102 Ks, 101.1 IP, 0.1 WAR

The Giants have enjoyed the success they have the past few seasons thanks in large part to their impressive starting pitching. Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain get the headlines, and rightfully so, but last season, Jonathan Sanchez was right there with them with 13 wins and a 3.07 ERA.

However, this past season, he struggled to pitch around the high walk totals that have plagued him throughout his career.

He will likely earn somewhere in the neighborhood of $6 million next year, and with Ryan Vogelsong and Madison Bumgarner in the rotation, he is essentially the fifth starter, so look for the Giants to trade Sanchez to a team where paying him $6 million may make a little more sense.

Baltimore Orioles: Luke Scott

2011 Stats

.220/.301/.402, 9 HR, 22 RBI, 24 R, 0.0 WAR

Luke Scott had the best season of his career in 2010, when he posted a line of .284 BA, 27 HR, 72 RBI, and that earned him a raise to over $2 million heading into 2011.

However, injuries derailed his 2011 season, and while he may not have earned another raise, he will be in line to make at least his 2010 salary in his final year of arbitration next year. Combine all of that with his radical political views that have rubbed some the wrong way, and there may be no more certain non-tender candidate than Scott.

While Nolan Reimold has fallen short of expectations, he played well enough with Scott on the DL this past year with a line of .247 BA, 13 HR, 45 RBI in 267 at-bats and the 27-year-old is the logical replacement for Scott in left field.

Boston Red Sox: Marco Scutaro

2011 Stats

.299/.358/.423, 7 HR, 54 RBI, 59 R, 1.4 WAR

The numbers posted by Marco Scutaro last season were good enough to warrant regular at-bats, but when you take into account his below-average defense and the $6 million team option he has for next season, they become a bit less appealing.

Even if the team declines his option, he has a $3 million player option built into his contract or a $1 million buyout so there is certainly a chance he could return to the Red Sox even if they decline his option.

However, with Jed Lowrie and top prospect Jose Iglesias on the roster, the team has options and may do what they can to move the 35-year-old infielder.

New York Yankees: Damaso Marte

2011 Stats

Did Not Play- Shoulder Surgery

At the deadline in 2008, the Yankees dealt a four-prospect package to the Pirates for Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte in what has turned out to be a great move for the Pirates with Jose Tabata headlining the deal.

In 76 appearances over part of three seasons, Marte has posted a 6.02 ERA in 49.1 innings of work and has not been the dominant lefty arm that the Yankees hoped he would.

With a $4 million option in 2012 and a $250,000 buyout, his days in the Bronx are over, and the soon-to-be 38-year-old will likely have trouble finding a job this coming season.

Tampa Bay Rays: Andy Sonnanstine

2011 Stats

15 G, 4 GS, 0-2, 5.55 ERA, 12 Ks, 35.2 IP, -0.5 WAR

Looking back on the World Series team of 2008, the Rays relied heavily on then 25-year-old Andy Sonnanstine, as he went 13-9 with a 4.38 ERA and then went 2-1 with a 4.24 ERA in three postseason starts.

Flash forward, and Sonnanstine was never able to build off that success and has bounced between Triple-A and Tampa Bay and between the rotation and bulllpen. The simple fact is the Rays simply have too many good young pitchers to justify paying someone like Sonnanstine anything more than the league minimum, and in his third year of arbitration eligibility, his contract will likely eclipse the $1 million mark.

He could be an interesting non-roster invitee to spring training for someone looking for a low-cost option to fill the fifth starter spot as it seems rather certain he won't be back in Tampa.

Toronto Blue Jays: Carlos Villanueva

2011 Stats

33 G, 13 GS, 6-4, 4.04 ERA, 68 Ks, 107 IP, 1.9 WAR

After making 50 appearances in relief for the Brewers in 2010, the Blue Jays acquired Villanueva over the winter and inserted him into the rotation, as he had made a number of spot starts in Milwaukee with mixed results.

He made 13 starts and registered a 5.15 ERA before being moved back to the bullpen, where he had a 1.60 ERA in 20 appearances. It is clear that he belongs in the bullpen, but with so many arms in Toronto already, he may be expendable with a raise over his $1.415 million salary of 2011.

Still only 28 years old and with the ability to start and relieve, there will likely be someone willing to pay for Villanueva's services, but there is better ways to spend roughly $2 million if you are the Blue Jays.

Chicago White Sox: Tony Pena

2011 Stats

17 G, 1-1, 6.20 ERA, 17 Ks, 20.1 IP, -0.3 WAR

Picked up from the Diamondbacks at the deadline in 2009 for prospect Brandon Allen, Pena gave the White Sox bullpen a boost after the deal with a 3.75 ERA in 36 innings.

He followed that up with a subpar season last year, when he appeared in 52 games and posted a 5.10 ERA, and it only got worse this past season.

The White Sox have a number of solid arms in their bullpen, and with Pena entering his final year of arbitration, he could be in line for over $2 million this coming season. There is no reason for the White Sox not to non-tender him and save some money.

Cleveland Indians: Grady Sizemore

2011 Stats

.224/.285/.422, 10 HR, 32 RBI, 34 R, 0.5 WAR

The Indians looked to have a future superstar on their hands in Grady Sizemore coming off a 30-30 season in 2008 at the age of 25.

However, since then, he has been one of the biggest headaches in all of baseball, struggling to stay on the field with a variety of injuries.

Still just 28 years old, he makes for an intriguing option this winter, but there is likely no chance that the Indians pick up his $8.5 million option and will instead opt to buy him out for $500,000 and search for a more reliable outfielder which they can count on.

Detroit Tigers: Brad Thomas

2011 Stats

12 G, 0-1, 9.00 ERA, 7 Ks, 11 IP, -0.4 WAR

After having not appeared in an MLB game since 2004, Brad Thomas came out of nowhere for the Tigers in 2010, appearing in 49 games and posting a 3.89 ERA.

The 2011 season was a different story though, as he struggled mightily, and while he should only be in line to make roughly $1 million next season, that low price may not be enough of a reason to bring the 33-year-old back.

The Tigers bullpen has gotten much deeper since 2010, and he would have to fight just to make the roster out of spring training.

Kansas City Royals: Robinson Tejeda

2011 Stats

9 G, 0-1, 6.14 ERA, 2 Ks, 7.1 IP, -0.1 WAR

After serving as the Royals primary setup man in 2010 when he appeared in 54 games and posted a 3.54 ERA, the Royals were counting on Robinson Tejeda to fill a similar role this season.

Instead, he struggled early and has spent the majority of 2011 at Triple-A Omaha, and with a number of young relievers emerging for the Royals this season, he will no doubt be cut loose in favor of cheap, and frankly, more effective options.

He is still just 29 years old and posted a 3.80 ERA over 45 innings while posting an 8.6 K/9 mark after being sent down to Triple-A so he could still be a useful arm for someone.

Minnesota Twins: Kevin Slowey

2011 Stats

14 G, 8 GS, 0-8, 6.67 ERA, 34 Ks, 59.1 IP, -0.6 WAR

After winning 13 games in 2010, Kevin Slowey found himself as the odd man out when the Twins had six starting pitchers competing for five spots this past spring.

Forced to move to the bullpen and stay ready should a rotation spot open up due to injury, Slowey was less than receptive to the move to say the least. While many believed he would be moved at the deadline, there was instead no market for him.

With all five starters returning in 2012, Slowey will likely find himself in the same situation this coming year, and the 27-year-old could be an interesting addition to the back end of someone's rotation if he is non-tendered.

Los Angeles Angels: Jeff Mathis

2011 Stats

.174/.225/.259, 3 HR, 22 RBI, 18 R, -0.3 WAR

Once a top prospect and first-round selection, Jeff Mathis simply does not hit enough to warrant anything more than occasional playing time. With a .194 career average over 1,201 at-bats, it is safe to say that he is a defensive catcher.

With rookie Hank Conger set to be the starter next season, it is highly unlikely that the Angels will pay in the $2 million neighborhood for a backup catcher who can't hit. His defense will likely earn him a backup job somewhere, but it won't be with the Angels.

In hindsight, the Angels would have been best served to hold onto Mike Napoli who has thrived with the Rangers, but Conger has potential to be a plus as a starting catcher in this league.

Oakland Athletics: Dallas Braden

2011 Stats

3 GS, 1-1, 3.00 ERA, 15 Ks, 18 IP, 0.5 WAR

After making headlines in 2010, both for the perfect game he pitched and for feuding with Alex Rodriguez after he walked across the mound after a ground out, Braden was sidelined for most of the 2011 season.

While Braden was solid in 2010, winning 11 games and posting a 3.50 ERA, the Athletics are stocked with good, young pitching and may be better suited moving his salary which could approach $5 million. The only reason he could stick around is the injury to Brett Anderson which could keep him out much of 2012.

The Athletics could use the money they save in moving Braden to address their anemic offense, as they look to back their solid starting pitching moving forward in an attempt to compete in the AL West.

Seattle Mariners: David Aardsma

2011 Stats

Did Not Play- Tommy John Surgery

After toiling in relative obscurity for five seasons, the Mariners plucked the hard-throwing David Aardsma from the scrap head prior to the 2009 season and handed him their closer job. He responded by saving 38 games and posting a 2.52 ERA.

After another solid 31-save season in 2010, he missed all of the 2011 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, and in his absence, Brandon League assumed the ninth-inning duties and made the All-Star team while saving 37 games with a 2.79 ERA.

This brings about the question of who will close next season once Aardsma's out, but the logical choice is League as he made roughly $2 million less than Aardsma last season and comes without the injury risk. Aardsma could be non-tendered in his final year of arbitration eligibility.

Texas Rangers: David Murphy

2011 Stats

.275/.328/.401, 11 HR, 46 RBI, 46 R, -0.5 WAR

Since joining the Rangers in the ill-advised trade that sent Eric Gagne to the Red Sox, Murphy has been one of the best fourth outfielders in all of baseball, as he averaged a .278 BA, 15 HR, 65 RBI, 10 SB line from 2007-2010.

However, this year, his numbers are down a bit across the board, and he is set to turn 30 next year. While there is no questioning his value, he will be starting to get a bit pricey for a backup next year as he made $2.4 million this past season and will no doubt get a raise in his final year of arbitration.

With prospect Leonys Martin ready to take on a bigger role and Craig Gentry much improved this season, Murphy becomes expendable, and he could have enough value that the team may be able to trade him rather than simply non-tendering him.