One "Derek Lowe" Trade Every Team Should Make

The bloated contract has become commonplace in Major League Baseball these days.

Terrible contracts like those of Mike Hampton and Mo Vaughn are a thing of the past, but there are a number of such contracts hamstringing otherwise well managed franchises.

While some teams don't have eye poppingly bad salaries on their payrolls, nearly every team has a player they'd pay to be elsewhere.

The Braves made the bold move of trading Derek Lowe and $10 million dollars to the Indians for a middling prospect. In essence, they are paying Derek to not be on their team anymore.

Every team should take note of the Braves' bold move and consider moving these overpaid and underperforming players from their rosters.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Geoff Blum

OK, so the Diamondbacks don't really have any overpaid players they'd like to dump.

Justin Upton is the only player signed long term, and only an idiot would want to unload him.

For this list's sake, lets say Geoff Blum, who makes a bit over a million to be only a minor contributor.

Atlanta Braves: Chipper Jones

Uhh, already did this one, as the Derek Lowe trade was the impetus for this article.

However, if the Braves are feeling adventurous, they could try to trade Chipper Jones. He makes $14 million in 2012.

The Braves would alienate their fanbase and would probably need to eat about $10 million to make any sort of trade a possibility.

Baltimore Orioles: Brian Roberts

Brian Roberts was a very solid player a few years ago, but a number of injuries and poor regular-season performances the past two years have made the Orioles regret signing him to a big deal.

He makes over 10 million a year through 2014, and the Orioles would be wise to find a trading partner. The Detroit Tigers need a second baseman and could be convinced to take Roberts at around half price.

Boston Red Sox: John Lackey

John Lackey has been horrible since he joined the Red Sox. To top that off, he is out injured through the entirety of the 2012 season and still is owed nearly 16 million per year through 2014. I don't see anyone really wanting to take on his massive contract, but perhaps someone could be convinced if the Red Sox agree to pay at least 10 million in return and perhaps take on another monster bad contract.

Chicago Cubs: Alfonso Soriano

This one has been plaguing the Cubs for a number of years. Carlos Zambrano could also be considered, but he used to at least have some value.

Now, he is just a thorn in the Cubs' delicate paws. The only realistic way to get rid of him might be to swap him to the Giants and another terrible contract, that of Barry Zito.

Chicago White Sox: Jake Peavy

It looked like a bold move, acquiring Peavy from the Padres, but injuries have made his time in Chicago ultimately a poor one.

Peavy is due $17 million in 2012, and unless a guardian angel comes down from the heavens, the White Sox won't be able to unload him for anything worthwhile.

Picking up $12 million in 2012 might be the only way to get rid of Peavy.

Cincinnati Reds: Scott Rolen

Scott Rolen used to be one of the best third basemen in the game; now, not so much.

He is a solid corner infielder, but he is constantly injured and is owed over eight million dollars next year. Cincinnati is a team trying to get younger, and unloading Rolen to a team looking for a bit of veteran leadership, such as the Marlins, might be a decent proposition.

Cleveland Indians: Travis Hafner

The obvious answer might be Derek Lowe. Trying to trade him again for a prospect isn't the worst idea, especially with the Braves paying $10 million of his salary for 2012.

Travis Hafner is the logical choice who makes $15 million next year. He's been constantly injured, and his production hasn't been great since 2007.

Trading him to the Yankees is the obvious choice with salary relief and a mid to mid-high prospect in return is a decent proposition for the Indians.

Colorado Rockies: Todd Helton

The Rockies don't really have any albatross contracts on their current roster. Todd Helton is a free agent, but is owed about $10 million in buyouts and options.

I suppose the best idea might be to renegotiate and then try to pawn him and his contract off on another team for half price and a young pitcher.

Detroit Tigers: Brandon Inge

Brandon Inge is a player who was sent down in the middle of the year because he couldn't hit .200.

He's still under contract for about five million next year, and maybe another team could be convinced to take him on for a mid-level prospect and a few million dollars.

Florida Marlins: Hanley Ramirez

Hanley Ramirez isn't really a veteran, and isn't really over the hill, but his massive attitude has rubbed some people in Miami the wrong way.

The team is moving into a new stadium and need a marquee player. Trading Ramirez to another team for a veteran star could stabilize the clubhouse and draw in a few casual fans.

Houston Astros: Carlos Lee

Houston has been praying for someone to take Carlos Lee off their hands for a number of years. $19 million next year is way too much for Lee, who hasn't been as productive as anyone would have hoped since he took his talents to south Texas.

The Astros would need to take upwards of $15 million to attract a potential mate for Lee, but given the Astros issues, it might be their best option.

Kansas City Royals: Jeff Francoeur

The Royals are a fiscally sound team and don't really have any overpaid players.

The only possibility is Jeff Francoeur, who has been wildly inconsistent throughout his career. If he falters, his six million dollar salary might not seem so cheap, and another team might take him for a low level prospect. 

Los Angeles Angels: Vernon Wells

Possibly the worst contract in major league baseball. The Angels already got fleeced, acquiring Wells and five million a year for Mike Napoli.

The Angels would need to cover a massive amount of Wells' $23 million a year to get anyone interested.

I don't see anyone being interested unless he is completely free.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Juan Uribe

The Dodgers signed Uribe after a career year.

Last year was not a career year; rather, a regular year. Uribe was ineffective and injured a majority of the year.

Maybe the Dodgers could return him to the Giants with a fistful of cash in his pocket to cover his expenses.

Milwaukee Brewers: Randy Wolf

The Brewers don't have any horrible contracts, but over nine million dollars each year for Randy Wolf seems a bit excessive.

Given the dearth of pitching depth in the market, he could be acquired probably for a few prospects and his entire salary with him.

Minnesota Twins: Joe Mauer

Mauer is the Twins franchise player, but how much is he really worth?

After one fine season that saw Mauer near 30 home runs and 100 RBI, the Twins rewarded him with a massive contract.

He isn't going to perform well enough to earn his money, and trading him would be a bold, but ultimately correct, move for the Twins.

They'd need to cover half his salary, but some teams looking for a new first baseman or DH could be sold on his former potential.

New York Mets: Johan Santana

Johan Santana used to be the best pitcher in baseball, but his form and health have waned in previous years.

He's making more than $24 million a year and probably isn't going to live up to his lofty expectations.

A trade to the Yankees would free up some needed salary to keep David Wright and/or Jose Reyes and keep the Mets franchise afloat. Even if they need to cover half of what he makes, it is a worthwhile proposition.

New York Yankees: AJ Burnett

Poor AJ; he's just not very good. He's certainly not worth the $15 million per year he's getting, but no one should feel sorry for the Yankees.

Their giant payroll allows them to keep a number of players whether they are studs or duds. If someone is going to trade for Burnett, they need to make sure the Yankees pickup all of Burnett's salary other than the minimum.

Oakland Athletics: Brian Fuentes

The A's don't have many overpaid players.

Brian Fuentes didn't fair well as a closer early in the year, and his $5.5 million isn't exactly cheap for a middle reliever. If someone offers the A's a prospect for Fuentes and his salary, they should probably take it.

Philadelphia Phillies: Joe Blanton

It's tough being on the Phillies and not being named Lee, Halladay or Hamels.

Joe Blanton is a solid pitcher, but isn't really earning his $10 million a year. A good idea might be to trade him to a team desperate for pitching, like the Yankees or Red Sox, who might be willing to pay a good portion of his outstanding contract.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Seriously No One

The Pirates do not overpay anyone because, well, they can't really afford to.

No one makes more than four million, and Kevin Correia earned his pay last year. There's no reason to unload anyone for salary relief.

San Diego Padres: Again No One

Heath Bell is the only possibility, but he's got a great deal of value and won't need to be "dumped" for any sort of salary relief.

The Padres are in a good position when it comes to their finances.

San Francisco Giants: Barry Zito

Barry Zito is very overpaid.

The Giants need salary relief, but I seriously doubt anyone would pay more than two million dollars for Zito.

The Giants should jump on that if they get the offer. He isn't going to contribute to the Giants this year, and will probably be released if he isn't traded.

Seattle Mariners: Chone Figgins

The Mariners hoped to get a great one two punch with Figgins and Ichiro, but Figgins has been an incredible disappointment in the great Northwest.

He makes 9.5 million per year over the next few years, and a half-price deal should be taken by the Mariners. Finding takers might be an issue, however.

St. Louis Cardinals: Jake Westbrook

Westbrook was OK this year, but is owed $8.5 million for an ERA of over 4.50.

Obviously, the Cardinals won the World Series, but could look to improve on their starting rotation with someone a bit more affordable.

Half price could get a few takers.

Tampa Bay Rays: No One

No one is overpaid on the Rays.

Shields will make seven million, but he is most definitely worth it. If anything, the Rays could afford to take on some salary to get a few solid veterans.

Texas Rangers: Scott Feldman

Scott Feldman was a good starter last season for the Rangers, but dropped this year and was relegated to bullpen duty following a few injuries.

He makes 6.5 million and could be used as bait to acquire better bullpen depth perhaps.

Toronto Blue Jays: Mark Teahen

The Jays don't have any horrible contracts after unloading Vernon Wells.

They do have Mark Teahen, who makes $5.5 million despite being a middling player at best.

I'm sure a few teams might be interested if the Blue Jays pay three or four million.

Washington Nationals: Jayson Werth

Anyone could tell you that Jayson Werth is overpaid. Finding a taker is nearly impossible for the Nationals, but if they really wanted to unload him, they could probably take on $10-12 million per year,

That's kind of a lot to pay someone to play elsewhere. Try the Giants; they love terrible over-the-hill players, maybe a swap for Barry Zito.