Realistic MLB Trades That Could Happen Before 2025 Spring Training
There are exactly 33 days to go until pitchers and catchers report for MLB spring training. That means there's plenty of time for trades to happen.
The goal here is to imagine eight deals that could realistically happen in the next few weeks. They feature players who are known to be available, and some involve potential trade partnerships that have been floated in reports and rumors.
Other cases are more speculative in nature...OK, fine, strictly speculative in nature. Take these for what they're worth, but try to have some fun with them anyway.
These eight proposals aren't ranked. Instead, they're presented in an order that ramps up the intrigue.
The A's Take Jordan Montgomery off the Diamondbacks' Hands
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Trade Proposal: Athletics get LHP Jordan Montgomery; Arizona Diamondbacks get nothing
Why It Makes Sense for the Athletics
Montgomery is owed $22.5 million for this season. In normal times, the A's are not messing around with money like that.
Yet normal times, these are not.
As Evan Drellich and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported in December, the A's are under pressure to spend revenue-sharing dollars, lest they face a grievance from the MLB Players Association. The target may be a $105 million luxury-tax payroll, in which case they're still about $8.2 million in average annual value away from hitting it.
Adding Montgomery would more than get the A's to where they need to be. And if he doesn't join fellow newcomers Luis Severino and Jeffrey Springs in lifting the club to contention in 2025, he could at least be shopped as a rental at the trade deadline.
Why It Makes Sense for the Diamondbacks
Arizona owner Ken Kendrick didn't mince words in speaking about Montgomery's contract last October, calling it "a horrible decision."
This was notably before Montgomery, who got shelled for a 6.23 ERA last year, exercised his player option for this season. But it was also before the Diamondbacks inked Corbin Burnes, effectively transforming Montgomery from a necessary nuisance to an expendable one.
A pure salary dump is probably the best thing the D-backs can hope for in trading him. That is what this deal would accomplish.
The Red Sox Get It Over With and Trade for Nolan Arenado
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Trade Proposal: Boston Red Sox get 3B Nolan Arenado; St. Louis Cardinals get DH Masataka Yoshida, SS Yoeilin Cespedes (Red Sox's No. 6 prospect)
Why It Makes Sense for the Red Sox
Regardless of whether the Red Sox actually want Arenado, cosmic forces seem to be saying, "Come on, do it already."
According to Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam of MassLive.com, Boston is Arenado's preferred trade destination. Katie Woo of The Athletic added that the Red Sox are the 10-time Gold Glover's "last chance" of finding a new home before Opening Day.
Though Arenado isn't a perfect fit for the Red Sox, having him at third base with Rafael Devers shifting to first base would upgrade their infield defense. Arenado also has the right-handed stick that Boston has been looking for.
Meanwhile, Yoshida must go after consecutive 1.4-rWAR seasons. And in this case, his going would open up the DH slot for Triston Casas.
Why It Makes Sense for the Cardinals
By rejecting an offer for Arenado from the New York Yankees that was reportedly based on Marcus Stroman, the Cardinals signaled their unwillingness to swap bad contracts.
Frankly, Arenado's trade value is so diminished that they may not have a choice. At least they'd save some money in this deal. Yoshida is owed $55.8 million, whereas the Cardinals owe Arenado $64 million.
This would otherwise be a prospect purchase for the Cardinals, with the 19-year-old Cespedes bringing a strong bat to St. Louis' system.
Alternatively, the Red Sox Make a Triston Casas Trade
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Trade Proposal: Boston Red Sox get RHP Jared Jones; Pittsburgh Pirates get 1B Triston Casas, 2B/SS David Hamilton
Why It Makes Sense for the Red Sox
In the same report on Arenado from Cotillo and McAdam was this bit regarding Casas: "Despite chief baseball officer Craig Breslow ardently denying that the club was shopping Casas earlier this week, there remains a belief in the industry that the Red Sox remain open to trading Casas, potentially for young pitching, to facilitate other roster maneuvering."
This proposal would accomplished exactly that. It helps to know that Jones has already been in Boston's crosshairs once this winter.
Beyond his youth, the 23-year-old Jones would bring real promise to a Red Sox rotation that has already been upgraded with Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler. He only had a 4.14 ERA as a rookie, yet his pure stuff graded as elite.
Why It Makes Sense for the Pirates
Even without Jones, the Bucs would still have Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller and Bubba Chandler, Braxton Ashcraft and Thomas Harrington standing by in their system. That's a lot of pitching!
What the Pirates have less of is impact bats, which has been a theme for a better part of the last decade. Casas has enormous potential in this regard, as his 222 games at the MLB level have yielded a .830 OPS and 42 home runs.
Hamilton is a lesser offensive player, but he was one of the best baserunners in MLB last year. At the very least, he'd be another option for a thin middle infield depth chart.
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The Yankees Get Luis Arráez After All
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Trade Proposal: New York Yankees get 2B Luis Arráez; San Diego Padres get RHP Marcus Stroman, RHP Will Warren, cash
Why It Makes Sense for the Yankees
Do the Yankees actually want Arráez? ESPN's Jeff Passan says yes, adding that the Yankees have discussed the three-time batting champ with San Diego.
But according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the fit isn't there.
One begs to differ on the latter. As a lifetime .323 hitter, Arráez would fit well as a table-setter ahead of Aaron Judge. Him slotting at second would also allow the Yankees to keep Jazz Chisholm Jr. at third base, where he played sensational defense in 2024.
The Stroman element here is as simple as the Yankees wanting him gone. As Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported, the team is actively shopping the two-time All-Star.
Why It Makes Sense for the Padres
San Diego's interest in moving Arráez has been out there for a while now, and it is related to his projected $14.6 million salary for 2025.
That's a bit steep for a one-note player whom the Padres don't really need. Especially, that is, with a dip below the $241 million luxury tax threshold just about $3 million away.
Stroman's average annual value is $18.5 million, so the Padres would need the Yankees to kick in cash. But even if they did, San Diego would be within its rights to demand that Stroman also come with a more promising pitcher. Hence, the 25-year-old Warren.
Alternatively, the Padres Trade Dylan Cease to a Different AL East Team
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Trade Proposal: Toronto Blue Jays get RHP Dylan Cease; San Diego Padres get RHP Yariel Rodríguez, LHP Ricky Tiedemann (Blue Jays' No. 2 prospect)
Why It Makes Sense for the Blue Jays
Then again, what if it's the Blue Jays who score a star from the Padres?
This isn't really based on anything, but Toronto is clearly open to adding a No. 1 starter. Otherwise, the club would not have been willing to offer Corbin Burnes more money than it has ever given to a single player.
With the Blue Jays now left to consider Plan Bs, their eyes frankly should be on Cease.
His effectiveness has waxed and waned, but he has a 3.52 ERA and 11.2 strikeouts per nine innings over the last four seasons. While he is only under team control through 2025, the stars are aligning for the Blue Jays to go all-in on this year anyway.
Why It Makes Sense for the Padres
This trade would get the Padres under the luxury tax threshold, as Rodríguez's $6.4 million AAV is less than half the $13.7 million that Cease is projected to make.
Of course, going from Cease to Rodríguez would be a downgrade. But Rodríguez is at least a usable pitcher, and the downgrade would be easier to swallow if the Padres win the Rōki Sasaki sweepstakes.
For his part, Tiedemann would be an upside play for San Diego. Injuries have crushed his stock, but he's still only 22 and should return from Tommy John surgery later this year.
The Orioles Score Luis Castillo
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Trade Proposal: Baltimore Orioles get RHP Luis Castillo; Seattle Mariners get 1B Ryan Mountcastle
Why It Makes Sense for the Orioles
There's nothing out of left field about this one, as Jon Morosi of MLB Network has reported that the Orioles and Mariners have been talking about Castillo:
This scans with a recent report from Rosenthal that has the Orioles still in on pitching after adding Charlie Morton and Tomoyuki Sugano. Neither is a No. 1, whereas Castillo at least has No. 1 creds as a three-time All-Star.
Yes, he's 32 and he was basically league-average in 2024. But he's typically good for 30-plus starts, and that fastball of his is still an effective weapon.
Rosenthal's report claims that the Orioles are not inclined to move any of their prized youngsters, but Mountcastle's name was not on the list. Nor should it be, as he could be quickly replaced by top prospect Coby Mayo.
Why It Makes Sense for the Mariners
The Mariners would shed $63.5 million in commitments to Castillo in this deal, which could prove helpful if they aspire to spend any money in free agency.
Another report from Rosenthal posited that the Mariners would only move Castillo for immediate help. They've reportedly been frustrated by what's out there, but Mountcastle would at least equip them with a solid stick at first base.
He has a 114 OPS+ for his career, and getting out of Oriole Park at Camden Yards can only help his power output.
The Braves Finally Make a Splash on Pablo López
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Trade Proposal: Atlanta Braves get RHP Pablo López, C Christian Vázquez; Minnesota Twins get C Drake Baldwin (Braves' No. 1 prospect), RHP Hurston Waldrep (Braves' No. 2 prospect), RHP JR Ritchie (Braves' No. 6 prospect)
Why It Makes Sense for the Braves
The Braves have not been connected to López, but it's past time they added a starter.
With Morton in Baltimore and Max Fried in New York, Atlanta's rotation has sustained two significant departures. The only thing to look forward to is Spencer Strider's return from his second major elbow surgery in five years.
López has spent the last three seasons as an above-average starter. Even in slipping to a 4.08 ERA in 2024, he still salvaged a 4.8 strikeout-to-walk ratio with help from one of the league's best four-seamers.
By also taking on Vázquez as their new backup catcher, the Braves would absorb $28.3 million in AAV for 2025. That would put them over the luxury tax threshold, but they're willing to go there.
Why It Makes Sense for the Twins
According to Passan, the Twins are listening on López. That is not the same as shopping him, though the writing on the wall is basically the same.
The Twins cut payroll last year, and the plan for 2025 is not to raise it again. Assuming that remains the case, the Twins will have to cut salary to remain at the same level.
This trade would accomplish that, thus cleaning the slate for the next ownership group. As the club's farm system ranks in the lower third of MLB, the prospect haul would be a bonus.
The Mets Make Luis Robert Jr. Their Latest Star
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Trade Proposal: New York Mets get CF Luis Robert Jr.; Chicago White Sox get INF Ronny Mauricio (Mets' No. 5 prospect)
Why It Makes Sense for the Mets
The Mets can't possibly be done, right?
Perhaps they are after handing a small chunk of Steve Cohen's fortune over to Juan Soto, Sean Manaea, Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes. But then again, there's still the Pete Alonso-sized hole in the lineup, plus a less-than-obscure deficiency in center field.
To this end, the Mets are perhaps the most obvious suitor for Robert.
Even with injuries being a consistent theme throughout his career, Robert still boasts a .790 OPS and 162-game averages of 31 homers and 24 steals. It suffices to say he has substantially more upside than Jose Siri, who profiles as more of a fourth outfielder.
Why It Makes Sense for the White Sox
There's an argument that the White Sox's best play is to hold Robert and hope that he regains value after a down year in 2024. But given his history, that would be risky.
For the moment, Rosenthal reported in December that the White Sox would want a "meaningful piece" if they moved Robert, who is signed through 2025 with club options for 2026 and 2027.
Mauricio would be a gamble in this regard, as he's coming off a year lost to a torn ACL. Yet he's still only 23 and he was formerly a top-100 prospect who had big years in the minors in 2022 and 2023.
Stats courtesy of Baseball Reference, FanGraphs and Baseball Savant. Prospect rankings via B/R's Joel Reuter.
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