10 MLB Prospects Who Could Be the Centerpiece of 2024 Winter Meetings Trades
The 2024 MLB winter meetings begin Sunday, and with guys like Nolan Arenado, Garrett Crochet and Devin Williams squarely on the trade block, it is expected to be a busy few days of wheeling and dealing from Dallas, Texas.
The MLB talent that changes hands in offseason trades makes the headlines, but it's the prospects who go the other way that ultimately determine if a team wins or loses a trade in the long run.
Ahead, we've taken a look at 10 notable prospects who could find themselves at the center of blockbuster deals during this year's winter meetings because of a blocked path to the majors, some boom-or-bust potential or their proximity to the majors relative to their team's window of contention.
Included is where each player ranked in B/R's final Top 100 prospect list of the year.
SS Franklin Arias, Boston Red Sox
1 of 10
B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 90
Stats (Rk/A): 87 G, 372 PA, .309/.409/.487, 36 XBH (9 HR), 54 RBI, 35 SB
The Boston Red Sox landed a pair of high-profile shortstop prospects during the 2023 international signing period, and while Yoeilin Cespedes ($1.4 million) secured the bigger bonus, it's Franklin Arias ($525,000) who is off to a better start in his pro career.
The 19-year-old does not project to be much of a power threat, but he has an advanced hit tool and is a sure-fire shortstop defensively.
With Trevor Story and Ceddanne Rafaela both signed long-term and rising prospects Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell both knocking on the MLB door, the Red Sox could trade from an area of strength to address their need for pitching with Arias as the centerpiece.
2B/SS Roderick Arias, New York Yankees
2 of 10
B/R Top 100 Rank: Next 50
Stats (A): 124 G, 552 PA, .233/.335/.393, 42 XBH (13 HR), 74 RBI, 37 SB
It was a down year for the New York Yankees farm system, but there is still a lot of high-ceiling talent in the pipeline, and shortstop Roderick Arias has the tools to be a consensus Top 100 prospect in the near future.
The 20-year-old signed for $4 million as part of the 2022 international class, and he possesses an intriguing mix of power, speed and defensive chops that should allow him to stick at shortstop, including a top-of-the-scale arm.
With the Yankees in win-now mode and Anthony Volpe penciled in at shortstop for the foreseeable future, Arias could be used as a trade chip this winter if the right opportunity comes along.
1B/OF Tyler Black, Milwaukee Brewers
3 of 10
B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 95
Stats (AAA): 102 G, 462 PA, .258/.375/.429, 33 XBH (14 HR), 67 RBI, 20 SB
Originally drafted as a second baseman, Tyler Black is a high-ceiling offensive prospect without a clear long-term defensive home, and he saw time at first base, third base and even made a few starts in center field in 2024.
The 24-year-old probably fits best at first base, and while he lacks prototypical power for the position, he could profile as a Brandon Belt-type with solid on-base ability and doubles pop to go along with some legitimate wheels.
If he proves he can handle third base at the MLB level, he could be the answer there with Joey Ortiz expected to shift to shortstop, but he could also be used as a trade chip to acquire a more proven veteran piece.
OF Owen Caissie, Chicago Cubs
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B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 44
Stats (AAA): 127 G, 549 PA, .278/.375/.473, 51 XBH (19 HR), 75 RBI, 11 SB
There are always a few interesting nuggets that emerge from the annual GM meetings at the start of the offseason, and this one no doubt caught the attention of Chicago Cubs fans:
Cassie, 22, is one of the most MLB-ready prospects in the minors right now following a standout full season at Triple-A, but with Ian Happ, Cody Bellinger, Seiya Suzuki and Pete Crow-Armstrong all vying for playing time in the Cubs outfield, it's unclear how he fits in 2025.
Flipping him for pitching help could be the best way to maximize their current talent.
Of Justin Crawford, Philadelphia Phillies
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B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 31
Stats (A+/AA): 110 G, 497 PA, .313/.360/.444, 38 XBH (9 HR), 61 RBI, 42 SB
The Philadelphia Phillies current window to win a title is rapidly closing as their core of established stars moves closer to exiting their primes, and that could breed a sense of urgency this winter to go all-in on the 2025 season.
Justin Crawford immediately became one of the team's top prospects when he was taken No. 17 overall in the 2022 draft, and he has hit .316/.371/.442 with 72 extra-base hits and 99 steals in 213 games over three minor league seasons.
The son of former MLB All-Star Carl Crawford, he offers a similarly full toolbox with the potential to be an impact table-setter offensively and a standout defender in the outfield, but his proximity to the majors could make him a trade chip.
"The Phillies, according to major-league sources, have not excluded Crawford from trade talks. He would be moved only for a big-league player with multiple years of club control," wrote Matt Gelb of The Athletic.
RHP Jaden Hamm, Detroit Tigers
6 of 10B/R Top 100 Rank: Next 50
Stats (A+): 23 GS, 5-4, 2.64 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 31 BB, 122 K, 99.0 IP
After three inconsistent seasons at Middle Tennessee State, right-hander Jaden Hamm was taken in the fifth round of the 2023 draft and signed to a below-slot deal that is quickly shaping up to be one of the steals of the draft class.
He allowed three hits and one unearned run over 12 innings of work in his pro debut, and that proved to be a springboard to a true breakout season in 2024 that has him squarely in the Top 100 prospect conversation.
The Tigers arrived on the scene as playoff contenders sooner than expected in 2024, and now the focus will be on improving the offense in support of a strong pitching staff. That could mean flipping Hamm, who is the team's top pitching prospect behind Jackson Jobe, in an offseason trade.
1B/3B Coby Mayo, Baltimore Orioles
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B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 7
Stats (A+/AAA): 93 G, 406 PA, .293/.372/.592, 54 XBH (25 HR), 73 RBI, 4 SB
The Baltimore Orioles decided to exercise their player option on Ryan O'Hearn and to tender a contract to Ramón Urías, which might serve as an indication they are not ready to rely on Coby Mayo to fill a significant role in the big leagues.
Mayo, 22, was one of the most productive power hitters in the minors, posting a .926 OPS with 23 doubles, 22 home runs and 67 RBI in 89 games at Triple-A Norfolk.
However, he went just 4-for-41 with 22 strikeouts in his first taste of the majors, leaving the Orioles hesitant to clear a path for him to take on an expanded role.
They showed a willingness to deal MLB-ready talent last offseason when they sent Joey Ortiz and DL Hall to Milwaukee in the Corbin Burnes trade, and they are once again looking for an ace-caliber starter this winter.
C/OF Dalton Rushing, Los Angeles Dodgers
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B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 46
Stats (AA/AAA): 114 G, 503 PA, .271/.385/.512, 48 XBH (26 HR), 85 RBI, 2 SB
The Los Angeles Dodgers shifted Dalton Rushing to left field down the stretch, and with Will Smith signed to a long-term deal and backup Austin Barnes back for another year after his club option was exercised, that could be his future home.
However, it could also have been an opportunity to showcase his athleticism and versatility to 29 other teams heading into the offseason, and he still seems like a logical trade candidate if the right target comes along.
The 23-year-old has little left to prove in the minors offensively after hitting .273/.396/.511 with 15 extra-base hits in 169 plate appearances at Triple-A, giving him added appeal as a controllable, MLB-ready bat.
RHP Hurston Waldrep, Atlanta Braves
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B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 67
Stats (Rk/A/AA/AAA): 19 GS, 5-7, 3.47 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 45 BB, 97 K, 93.1 IP
The Atlanta Braves have not been shy about trading away young, MLB-ready starting pitching in recent years, shipping out Kyle Wright, Jared Shuster, Bryse Wilson, Kyle Muller, Kolby Allard, Joey Wentz, Tucker Davidson, Freddy Tarnok and others in a variety of trades.
Spencer Schwellenbach has emerged as a homegrown rotation piece, and the team will likely be hesitant to deal 2024 first-round pick Cam Caminiti or AJ Smith-Shawver who has rocketed through the minors, but their other young arms are likely on the table.
That includes Hurston Waldrep, who reached the big leagues in his first full professional season after going No. 24 overall in the 2023 draft. The 22-year-old has electric stuff, but he was hit hard in two spots starts and also carries some reliever risk due to his inconsistent command.
2B/SS Cole Young, Seattle Mariners
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B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 59
Stats (AA): 124 G, 552 PA, .271/.369/.390, 36 XBH (9 HR), 57 RBI, 23 SB
The Seattle Mariners checked in No. 1 in Bleacher Report's final farm system rankings of the year, and there were four middle infield prospects ranked among the top 10 players in their system:
2. SS Colt Emerson
4. SS Cole Young
5. SS Felnin Celesten
6. 2B Michael Arroyo
Emerson is likely untouchable from that group, while Celesten is just scratching the surface of his vast potential, which could leave Young and Arroyo as the most likely trade candidates if the front office swings a deal for a middle-of-the-order bat.
Young, 21, is a polished all-around player with a strong hit tool and a good glove that could fit well on either side of the second base bag.
It would take the right return for the Mariners to consider moving him, but they didn't hesitate to deal promising young middle infielders Noelvi Marte and Edwin Arroyo in the deal that brought Luis Castillo to Seattle in 2022.
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