High payrolls and poor performance could force these teams to unload some high-priced players this summer.
Every baseball season there are teams that surprise, and teams that disappoint.
Those that disappoint often have a few players with talent, and all too often those players with talent also carry fairly large salaries.
Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington was faced with that situation last August. His trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers was a remarkable example of how one team can almost reshape their entire long-term salary structure in one fell swoop.
The odds of a similar trade happening this season, or in almost any season seem slim. But make no mistake about it, by the time the All-Star break rolls around, there are going to be some teams with some big name stars that will be looking to unload those players to contending teams in hopes of getting back a few talented minor league players in return.
Here are some teams to keep an eye on for the next few months.
Philadelphia Phillies: There was a lot of talk about the New York Yankees being expensive, old, injured and primed for a long disappointing season. All of those things may prove to be true. But as of now, those words don't accurately describe the Yankees. They are, however, a spot-on description of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Philadelphia has a 12-15 record, they're already over five games out of first place, and they're in a division with the Braves and Nationals, two teams who seem very likely to be playing postseason baseball.
The Phillies' opening day payroll was almost $160 million. Their payroll isn't bloated for just this season, longterm obligations have the team spending over $100 million on player salaries for next year as well. All of that wouldn't be a huge deal if the team was playing good baseball, but they aren't.
Players such as Roy Halladay, Michael Young, Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins could all be attractive to a team looking to make a playoff push in 2013. All of those players are pricey, but none of them have contracts that extend past the end of the 2014 season.
Los Angeles Angels: Not only do the Los Angeles have a 2013 payroll over $137 million, their long-term obligations have their players' combined salaries exceeding $100 million a year through the end of the 2016 season.
All of that money, and the Angels currently have a 9-17 record and are on a four-game losing streak. If the team keeps losing, the Angels will definitely want to be sellers. The real question is, though: What team will want to buy from them?
Josh Hamilton, Albert Pujols, C.J. Wilson and Jered Weaver all make plenty of money, but they're all in the infancy of their respective long-term deals. The Angels are in a particularly tough spot. Weaver won't ever get dealt. He's too good and his contract might be pricey, but his performance makes the deal a value.
The other three players seem too expensive for another team to acquire.
That leaves less expensive, talented players as potential trade bait. Maybe the Angels would shop Howie Kendrick or Peter Bourjos. They certainly won't be placing Mike Trout or Mark Trumbo on the trade blocks.
Toronto Blue Jays:Too soon?
Unfortunately it might not be. The Jays who spent the offseason as buyers, may find themselves in fire-sale mode by the time July rolls around. The team is shelling out almost $120 million on their 2013 roster. They've already got over $100 million committed in 2014 as well.
So far, the return on their investment has been terrible. Toronto is 10-17 and eight-and-a-half games out of first place in the American League East.
One player to keep an eye on is Josh Johnson. The young, talented pitcher is in the final year of his contract. Right now Johnson appears to be struggling to adjust to life in the American League. He's sporting an E.R.A. of 8.69 and he's yet to win a game.
Odds are that Johnson improves on those numbers. If he can stay healthy, he'll be a prime trade candidate this summer. Adam Lind and Rajai Davis are also players that could interest other teams.
Chicago White Sox: The White Sox are a team that could be major movers and shakers this summer. General manager Kenny Williams has never been shy about wheeling-and-dealing. Chicago has a hefty payroll of almost $120 million, but there are plenty of contracts nearing expiration.
Chicago is off to a very weak start. They're in last place in the American League Central and the team's 10-15 record is largely a product of one of the league's weakest offenses. In spite of the poor performance, the offense still has some names that could intrigue contending teams this summer.
Veteran first baseman Paul Konerko is off to a very slow start. He's also in the final year of his contract. His veteran leadership and reliable glove could be very attractive to some contending teams this summer.
Jake Peavy has a hefty contract, but it only lasts through the end of the 2014 season.
The White Sox will have a few movable pieces. Don't be surprised when they start to unload them.