New York, December 06, 2025
The 2025–26 MLB offseason is shaping as a pivotal moment for multiple franchises, with several high-profile players becoming top trade candidates. Teams across the league are weighing strategic moves to bolster contention chances or reset for the future.
Top Trade Candidates Set to Influence Offseason Moves
The Minnesota Twins’ veteran starter Sonny Gray leads the market as a coveted arm for National League contenders such as the Dodgers, Phillies, Mets, and Cardinals. Gray, 35, is under contract through 2025 but will be a free agent afterward, prompting the Twins to consider trades if their playoff hopes fade.
Third baseman Nolan Arenado of the St. Louis Cardinals also figures prominently. Despite declining offensive numbers and a sizable contract through 2026 and a team option for 2027, Arenado’s elite defense keeps him attractive to teams in the NL West and American League seeking veteran leadership.
The Milwaukee Brewers’ Freddy Peralta offers upside as a potentially frontline starter controlled through 2026, drawing interest from teams in need of a high-strikeout pitcher. Miami’s ace Sandy Alcantara, though signed long-term, may be available if the Marlins falter, with contenders like the Dodgers and Yankees evaluating their chances to add a top No. 1 starter.
Other notable starters include Edward Cabrera and Joe Ryan of the Twins, both arbitration-eligible and appealing to teams seeking youth and consistency. Nationals’ left-hander MacKenzie Gore is also a prime trade target for clubs looking for a controllable lefty with breakout potential.
Among relievers, Tampa Bay Rays’ closer Pete Fairbanks stands out. His elite performance, coupled with the Rays’ strategic payroll reset, likely makes him a sought-after asset. Similarly, Rays’ infielders Yandy Díaz and Brandon Lowe are candidates for moves to reduce costs and promote younger talent, with multiple AL teams identified as potential fits.
Mid-Level Candidates and Strategic Team Approaches
Boston’s outfielders Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu, both controlled through upcoming arbitration cycles, could be traded to reshape the roster or improve pitching depth. Mariners’ dynamic bat Randy Arozarena may also draw interest if Seattle opts to restructure.
Additional pitchers like Drew Rasmussen and Ryan Pepiot of Tampa Bay, both young and arbitration-controlled, represent valuable trade chips as the Rays continue their active offseason management.
Other mid-tier candidates include Rangers’ Adolis García, whose declining defense prompts potential trade considerations for teams needing power hitting, and Phillies’ Alec Bohm, considered expendable amid roster upgrades.
Veteran starters such as Luis Severino, possibly a free agent in 2026, and Mariners’ catcher Mitch Garver, also a potential free agent and injury concern, add to the complex trade calculus faced by several teams.
Lower-Tier and Situational Candidates in Play
Veteran arms like Andrew Heaney, Michael Lorenzen, José Quintana, and Kyle Gibson, all probable free agents, may serve as mid-season depth options or short-term rentals for contenders needing rotation stability or bullpen versatility.
J.D. Davis, a right-handed power bat and likely free agent, is also among players who could be traded or signed to fill bench roles for playoff-bound teams.
Broader Market Dynamics and Upcoming Timeline
The Tampa Bay Rays’ commitment to managing payroll aggressively signals multiple trades to reset salary commitments and infuse youth. Boston seeks to capitalize on its outfield assets for pitching acquisitions, while the Cardinals face a crossroads with Nolan Arenado amid a potential rebuild.
Seattle’s recent playoff success tempers trade interest in core contributors but does not eliminate offers. The depth of the upcoming free-agent class, featuring top-tier hitters such as Kyle Tucker and Pete Alonso, may push teams to prefer trades for cost-controlled talent rather than competing in the free-agent market.
Key MLB calendar points include the Winter Meetings in early December 2025, where initial trade frameworks are expected. The bulk of deals typically concludes between January and February 2026 as teams finalize their roster planning heading into Spring Training.
As the MLB offseason develops, the interplay of on-field performance, contractual considerations, and strategic team decisions will shape a dynamic trade market with significant implications for the 2026 season.