Four teams remain in the hunt for the 2026 World Series title, while the other 26 clubs have already turned their attention to next season. The thin free-agent market behind ace Tarik Skubal could push teams toward a more active offseason on the trade market. The looming CBA negotiations and an expected lockout, however, add significant uncertainty about what the winter will look like.
Assuming a traditional offseason takes place, these are the top 25 potential trade chips likely to move. The list mixes speculative candidates with players whose names have already surfaced on the rumour mill. Each player’s likelihood of being traded helped determine the final 25, while remaining years of control, salary commitment and expected 2027 impact shaped the rankings.
Nos. 25–24
25. 3B Matt Chapman, San Francisco Giants (Age: 33)
Stats: 84 G, 97 OPS+, .235/.324/.368, 26 XBH (7 HR), 2.7 WAR
Contract: 4 years, $100.7M remaining
Rafael Devers, Willy Adames and Jung Hoo Lee are generally viewed as unavailable or immovable, which leaves Chapman as the one high-priced veteran the Giants might be able to flip. Last year’s Nolan Arenado trade offers a blueprint of sorts. Chapman underwent season-ending core muscle and hernia surgery in August, but he is expected to be ready for the start of next season.
24. 2B Ozzie Albies, Atlanta Braves (Age: 29)
Stats: 162 G, 87 OPS+, .237/.293/.392, 50 XBH (22 HR), 1.4 WAR
Contract: $7M club option for 2027
Albies has spent his entire 10-year career with the Braves, accumulating 25.7 WAR, earning four All-Star selections and winning two Silver Slugger awards. He still produced surface-level power this season, but he has posted a middling 88 OPS+ and .299 on-base percentage over 1,350 plate appearances across the last two years. Atlanta could be ready to move on as part of a larger retooling.
Nos. 23–22
23. SP Griffin Jax, Tampa Bay Rays (Age: 31)
Stats: 34/23 G/GS, 3.53 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 116 K, 112.1 IP, 0.7 WAR
Contract: Arbitration through 2027 (2027 projected: $5.7M)
After four seasons as one of baseball’s elite setup relievers, Jax moved into the Rays rotation in his first full season with Tampa Bay. The Rays acquired him in a 2025 deadline deal that sent Taj Bradley the other way. He posted a 3.14 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 106 strikeouts in 103.2 innings across 23 starts. Tampa Bay has a habit of shopping pitchers with climbing arbitration salaries, and Jax fits that profile.
22. SP Michael Wacha, Kansas City Royals (Age: 35)
Stats: 32 GS, 3.32 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 158 K, 200.2 IP, 4.3 WAR
Contract: 1 year, $14M remaining, $14M club option in 2028
No club met the Royals’ asking price for Wacha at the deadline, but Kansas City could shop him more aggressively this winter. He is a reasonably priced veteran starter coming off an All-Star campaign. The 14-year veteran led the American League with 200.2 innings pitched, and his 4.3 WAR was a career-high mark.
Nos. 21–20
21. 2B Xavier Edwards, Miami Marlins (Age: 27)
Stats: 142 G, 108 OPS+, .280/.360/.371, 29 XBH (6 HR), 3.0 WAR
Contract: Arbitration through 2029 (2027 projected: $3.5M)
Edwards was one of only 11 qualified hitters with a walk rate above 10 per cent and a strikeout rate below 15 per cent. He batted .321 with runners in scoring position and stole 21 bases in 26 attempts. After shifting over from shortstop midway through the 2025 season, he played solid defence at second base. The Marlins listened to offers for him and shortstop Otto Lopez at the deadline. Given Lopez’s extremely high asking price, Edwards looks like the more likely piece to move.
20. RP Trevor Megill, Milwaukee Brewers (Age: 32)
Stats: 63 G, 30 SV, 2.63 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 10.1 K/9, 1.8 WAR
Contract: Arbitration through 2027 (2027 projected: $8.0M)
Megill’s fastball touches triple digits, and his knuckle curve generated a 46.5 per cent whiff rate. He converted 30 of 33 save chances, establishing himself as one of baseball’s most dominant closers. Over the past three seasons, he has posted a 2.61 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 10.4 K/9, with 81 saves in 161 appearances. Milwaukee has a history of moving closers before they become expensive, having traded Josh Hader and Devin Williams.
Nos. 19–18
19. SP Shane McClanahan, Tampa Bay Rays (Age: 29)
Stats: 24 GS, 3.36 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 106 K, 118.0 IP, 1.4 WAR
Contract: Arbitration through 2027 (2027 projected: $6.6M)
The Rays had only four players earning more than $6 million in 2026, and their payroll ranked fourth-lowest in the majors. That makes McClanahan an obvious trade chip ahead of his final year of arbitration. The two-time All-Star pitched well after returning from a 2025 season lost to Tommy John surgery. He carries a 3.10 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 562 strikeouts in 522.2 career innings.
18. SP George Kirby, Seattle Mariners (Age: 28)
Stats: 30 GS, 4.33 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 148 K, 174.2 IP, 1.4 WAR
Contract: Arbitration through 2028 (2027 projected: $9.8M)
Seattle dumped Luis Castillo’s salary at the trade deadline, but the Mariners still have a good chance to shop one of their starting pitchers this winter in pursuit of offensive upgrades. Kirby has two years of club control left and endured a down year in 2026. He is the least likely of the three Mariners starters on this list to move, but he still carries significant value.
Nos. 17–16
17. 2B Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks (Age: 32)
Stats: 141 G, 107 OPS+, .249/.316/.432, 56 XBH (22 HR), 2.5 WAR
Contract: 4 years, $77.8M remaining, $11.5M player option in 2031
Marte earned 10-and-5 rights during the 2026 season, which gives him the power to veto any trade. Enough off-the-field turmoil occurred, however, to suggest he might want a change of scenery. Even in a down year by his standards, he remained one of the best offensive second basemen in the league.
16. SP Jacob deGrom, Texas Rangers (Age: 38)
Stats: 31 GS, 4.20 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 201 K, 162.2 IP, 1.7 WAR
Contract: 1 year, $37M remaining
The Rangers reportedly asked deGrom to waive his full no-trade clause at the deadline, but he declined. That does not mean he will hold firm if Texas starts retooling this offseason. He is entering the final season of his five-year, $185 million deal, and his contract will not be the obstacle it would have been a year or two ago.
Nos. 15–14
15. SS Corey Seager, Texas Rangers (Age: 32)
Stats: 102 G, 112 OPS+, .227/.312/.424, 36 XBH (20 HR), 3.2 WAR
Contract: 5 years, $157.5M remaining
His $31.5 million annual salary over the next five seasons, combined with a lengthy injury history, will make it difficult for the Rangers to move Seager. He remains a star-level performer when healthy, however, and a thin shortstop class in free agency will push teams toward the trade market. A club unwilling to pay the steep price for someone like Zach Neto or Otto Lopez could take on Seager’s salary at a lower acquisition cost.
14. 3B Isaac Paredes, Houston Astros (Age: 27)
Stats: 155 G, 127 OPS+, .262/.360/.447, 53 XBH (25 HR), 4.0 WAR
Contract: $13.4M club option in 2027
Houston sits at an interesting crossroads. Its starting rotation needs rebuilding, aging stars Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa remain, and two key bats, Paredes and Jeremy Peña, are closing in on free agency. A broader rebuild would make sense, but even a simple retool could make Paredes a logical trade candidate. The infield logjam and his one remaining year of control add to that case.
Nos. 13–12
13. OF Steven Kwan, Cleveland Guardians (Age: 29)
Stats: 151 G, 110 OPS+, .282/.382/.349, 27 XBH (3 HR), 5.3 WAR
Contract: Arbitration through 2027 (2027 projected: $11.3M)
Kwan was the third-highest paid player on the Guardians roster in 2026, earning $7.725 million. His salary is projected to climb well above $10 million next season. Cleveland operates with one of the lowest payrolls in baseball, and Kwan has been a speculative trade candidate for years. Flipping him ahead of his final year of control would fit the organisation’s philosophy. The emergence of Chase DeLauter and the addition of Jo Adell have also improved the outfield picture in Cleveland.
12. SP Emerson Hancock, Seattle Mariners (Age: 27)
Stats: 25 GS, 3.57 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 126 K, 138.2 IP, 2.7 WAR
Contract: Arbitration through 2030 (2027 projected: minimum)
Seattle viewed Hancock as its No. 6 starter entering the year. He earned a shot in the Opening Day rotation when Bryce Miller was sidelined by injury, and the former No. 6 overall pick seized the opportunity. He posted a 2.59 ERA over 41.2 innings in his first seven starts and held onto a rotation spot the rest of the way. His four remaining years of control make him considerably more valuable than his surface-level track record suggests.
Nos. 11–10
11. SP Reid Detmers, Los Angeles Angels (Age: 27)
Stats: 32 GS, 3.36 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 211 K, 185.0 IP, 4.2 WAR
Contract: Arbitration through 2028 (2027 projected: $7.5M)
Detmers produced a strong season out of the Angels bullpen in 2025, following a 6.70 ERA over 17 starts the year before. That performance earned him another shot in the rotation. He finished in the top 10 in the American League in strikeouts (211, 4th), innings pitched (185.0, 6th) and pitcher WAR (4.2, 8th). His value may never be higher, particularly for a team coming off a 100-loss season and long overdue for a rebuild.
10. SP Logan Gilbert, Seattle Mariners (Age: 29)
Stats: 32 GS, 3.73 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 205 K, 186.0 IP, 3.3 WAR
Contract: Arbitration through 2027 (2027 projected: $15.4M)
Extension talks have made little progress, and free agency is approaching fast after the 2027 season. That could place Gilbert at the top of the list if the Mariners decide to cash in one of their rotation trade chips. Over the past five seasons, he has been one of baseball’s most consistent starters, posting a 3.46 ERA and 1.05 WHIP while averaging 192 strikeouts and 180 innings per year.
Nos. 9–8
9. SP Joe Ryan, Minnesota Twins (Age: 30)
Stats: 27 GS, 3.79 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 159 K, 144.2 IP, 2.1 WAR
Contract: Arbitration through 2027 (2027 projected: $9.6M)
The Twins avoided arbitration with Ryan last January and added a $13 million mutual option for 2027 to the books. The club will almost certainly pay the $100,000 buyout on that option in favour of a significantly lower arbitration projection. Ryan could still end up on another club’s books if Minnesota takes another step toward rebuilding. The Twins clung to Byron Buxton and Ryan as building blocks a year ago, but after a 29-36 second half and a second straight losing season, bigger changes could be coming.
8. SS Jeremy Peña, Houston Astros (Age: 29)
Stats: 112 G, 124 OPS+, .277/.325/.477, 43 XBH (22 HR), 3.7 WAR
Contract: Arbitration through 2027 (2027 projected: $13.1M)
Peña hired Scott Boras as his agent in June 2025, and that decision considerably reduced the chances of a long-term extension before he reaches the open market. A wide-open AL West led the Astros to avoid selling at the deadline. Even if they view themselves as contenders in 2027, Houston could still explore flipping Peña before losing him in free agency.
Nos. 7–6
7. C William Contreras, Milwaukee Brewers (Age: 28)
Stats: 147 G, 108 OPS+, .270/.341/.417, 46 XBH (18 HR), 2.9 WAR
Contract: $14.5M club option in 2027
Milwaukee has made a habit of trading its stars as they approach free agency. Josh Hader, Corbin Burnes, Devin Williams and Freddy Peralta all count among the notable recent examples. That history puts Contreras firmly in the trade conversation, particularly if the club believes former top prospect Jeferson Quero is a viable in-house replacement.
6. C Shea Langeliers, Athletics (Age: 28)
Stats: 106 G, 118 OPS+, .262/.328/.474, 44 XBH (23 HR), 3.4 WAR
Contract: Arbitration through 2028 (2027 projected: $8.7M)
Langeliers started the 2026 All-Star Game and carried an .807 OPS and 21 home runs into the break. A torn meniscus in his right knee limited him to 20 games during the second half, but he returned for 13 games in September to show potential suitors that he is healthy. The Athletics have locked up several members of their young offensive core in recent years, but Langeliers has not been among them. He could be the piece Oakland flips to upgrade one of baseball’s worst rotations.
Nos. 5–4
5. C Hunter Goodman, Colorado Rockies (Age: 27)
Stats: 138 G, 115 OPS+, .245/.310/.529, 63 XBH (41 HR), 2.6 WAR
Contract: Arbitration through 2029 (2027 projected: $6.2M)
Only seven players in baseball have hit more home runs over the past two seasons than Goodman, who has 72. His 41 long balls this year tied him for third on the National League leaderboard with Braves slugger Matt Olson. He actually produced better numbers on the road (.882 OPS, 25 HR) than at home (.791 OPS, 16 HR), so Coors Field is not inflating an otherwise average performer. He has also developed into a serviceable defender behind the plate, though his bat will always drive his value.
Colorado has endured a fourth straight 100-loss season, and nothing should be off the table as the Rockies explore ways to improve. The asking price will be high given his remaining control, but Goodman may be the most impactful power bat on the market.
4. SS Zach Neto, Los Angeles Angels (Age: 25)
Stats: 157 G, 118 OPS+, .239/.330/.436, 63 XBH (27 HR), 5.2 WAR
Contract: Arbitration through 2029 (2027 projected: $9.8M)
Neto has recorded three straight seasons of 20 home runs, 20 steals and 5.0 WAR, and he has developed into one of the best all-around shortstops in baseball. He rarely receives the attention he deserves, however, while playing for a franchise that has banked 11 consecutive losing seasons. The Angels took a step toward retooling at the deadline by trading several controllable pieces, including José Soriano, Jo Adell and Ryan Zeferjahn. They kept their two most valuable trade chips, Neto and left-hander Reid Detmers. The club’s status as a perennial also-ran, combined with its newfound willingness to move controllable pieces, should make Neto one of the most discussed trade candidates of the winter.
Nos. 3–1
3. RP Mason Miller, San Diego Padres (Age: 28)
Stats: 66 G, 38 SV, 1.67 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 16.6 K/9, 3.1 WAR
Contract: Arbitration through 2029 (2027 projected: $8.1M)
San Diego teetered between buying and selling leading up to the 2026 trade deadline. Miller was discussed as one of the top players who could move before the Padres committed to buying and added Casey Mize and Robbie Ray. With Adrián Morejón and Jason Adam potentially departing in free agency, the Padres will be hesitant to deal their All-Star closer. His value is so high, however, that they would be unwise not to at least listen to offers. San Diego needed an elite prospect, Leo De Vries, to pry him loose from Athletics, and a similar offer or a team willing to part with a controllable starting pitcher could put Miller on the move again.
2. SS CJ Abrams, Washington Nationals (Age: 26)
Stats: 152 G, 127 OPS+, .261/.336/.497, 67 XBH (33 HR), 5.1 WAR
Contract: Arbitration through 2028 (2027 projected: $10.2M)
The Nationals finished among the MLB leaders in runs scored (821, 3rd), home runs (210, 6th) and OPS (.744, 3rd), and a breakout season from Abrams helped drive those numbers. After posting a 109 OPS+ with 19 home runs and 31 steals in 2025, he elevated his game to another level. He recorded the first 30/30 season of his career and drove in 106 runs, ranking fourth on the National League leaderboard. Washington flipped starter MacKenzie Gore last winter while still trying to build toward contention. The Nationals could do the same with Abrams if a package of talent improved their long-term outlook enough to justify moving an increasingly expensive star.
1. OF Ronald Acuña Jr., Atlanta Braves (Age: 28)
Stats: 107 G, 118 OPS+, .255/.345/.451, 39 XBH (20 HR), 1.9 WAR
Contract: $17M club options in 2027 and 2028
Fans booed Acuña loudly as he grounded out to end the seventh inning of Game 4 of the NLDS. He stranded a runner on second base and left his playoff line at 3-for-24 with zero RBIs. Will that be his final at-bat in a Braves uniform? The 2023 NL MVP and face of the franchise had a good-but-not-great 2026 season. He quickly scrubbed the Braves from his Instagram account after Atlanta was eliminated from the playoffs, and that move fuelled speculation that a split could be on the horizon this winter.
His contract adds to his value rather than subtracting from it, as is the case with some other players on this list. Two reasonable $17 million club options cover the next two seasons. The asking price will be astronomical, but the return could be one of the 10 best players in the sport if he locks in and regains peak-level production.