10 MLB Prospects to Watch as Potential Centerpieces in Winter Meetings Trades
The 2025 MLB winter meetings begin on Dec. 7, and whether there are multiple blockbuster trades and high-profile signings or just a flurry of new rumors, expect a busy few days from Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
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 look at 10 notable prospects who could be at the center of blockbuster deals this winter because they are blocked from the majors, carry boom-or-bust risk, or are closer to the majors than their teams are to contention.
Included is where each player currently ranks among their organization's top 10 prospects and on the latest B/R Top 100 Prospect List, if applicable.
RHP Carlos Lagrange, New York Yankees
1 of 10
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 5 NYY
Stats (A /AA): 23 GS, 3.53 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 62 BB, 168 K, 120.0 IP
Scouting Report: A towering 6'7", 248-pound right-hander who was signed for just $10,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2022, Lagrange has a high-octane fastball that has touched 102 mph and a wipeout slider.
The continued development of a third pitch, further improvement of his command and overall refinement of his mechanics will determine his ceiling, but he has frontline upside.
Why He Could Be Traded: The Yankees have not been shy about selling high on their top pitching prospects in recent years, and with shortstop George Lombard Jr. almost certainly untouchable, it makes sense that teams would target one of Lagrange, Elmer Rodriguez or Bryce Cunningham as the centerpiece in a major trade.
C Thayron Liranzo, Detroit Tigers
2 of 10
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 5 DET, No. 100 MLB
Stats (AA): 88 G, .206/.308/.351, 27 XBH (11 HR), 45 RBI
Scouting Report: The Tigers acquired Liranzo as the centerpiece in the 2024 deadline deal that sent Jack Flaherty to the Dodgers, and he has been one of baseball's more promising catching prospects since breaking through with a .962 OPS and 24 home runs as a 19-year-old at Single-A in 2023. His 60-grade power and loud batted-ball metrics drive his value.
Why He Could Be Traded: A breakout season from AL Gold Glove winner Dillon Dingler at the MLB level and the continued rise of Josue Briceño in the minors gives the Tigers an abundance of catching talent, and there is always a market for potential starting backstops.
2B Brice Matthews, Houston Astros
3 of 10
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 1 HOU, No. 96 MLB
Stats (AAA): 112 G, .260/.371/.458, 42 XBH (17 HR), 64 RBI, 41 SB
Scouting Report: Matthews sent his draft stock soaring when he hit .359/.481/.723 with 20 home runs and 20 steals during his junior season at the University of Nebraska, and he has provided a similar mix of power and speed since going No. 28 overall in the 2023 draft.
Why He Could Be Traded: The Astros have to figure out how all the pieces fit together this spring with Carlos Correa, Isaac Paredes and Jose Altuve all in the mix for playing time at second base and third base, while Jeremy Pena is locked in at shortstop.
That leaves Matthews without a clear path and plenty of trade appeal, even after hitting just .167 with 20 strikeouts in 47 plate appearances in his big league debut.
.png?w=256)
C Ethan Salas, San Diego Padres
4 of 10
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 1 SD, No. 70 MLB
Stats (AA): 10 G, .188/.325/.219, 1 XBH (0 HR), 5 RBI, 2 SB
Scouting Report: One of the most hyped international signings in recent memory, Salas joined the Padres on a $5.6 million bonus in 2023 and made it all the way to Double-A later that summer.
Since his strong debut, he has struggled at the plate, and he missed almost all of the 2025 season with a stress reaction in his back. He still has plus power potential and elite defensive upside, and he does not turn 20 years old until June, but his stock is sliding.
Why He Could Be Traded: A.J. Preller has never hesitated to trade his prospects, and flipping Salas this winter might be the best way to maximize his rapidly slipping value. That could be a decision that comes back to haunt the Padres if everything clicks, but it feels like that's the crossroads we've arrived at, despite the fact that he is still a teenager.
IF Alex Freeland, Los Angeles Dodgers
5 of 10
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 5 LAD, No. 58 MLB
Stats (AAA): 106 G, .263/.384/.451, 46 XBH (16 HR), 82 RBI, 18 SB
Scouting Report: Freeland built on a breakout 2024 season with an equally impressive showing at the Triple-A level in 2025, earning a 29-game stint in the big leagues while Max Muncy was sidelined with an oblique strain.
His well-rounded offensive game and defensive versatility give him an extremely high floor to be a contributor at the big league level in some capacity.
Why He Could Be Traded: In theory, the Dodgers could view Freeland as the eventual long-term replacement for Muncy at third base, but he fits better as a shortstop where there is less pressure on his bat.
His big league readiness and the Dodgers lack of a clear need for his services makes him a logical trade chip.
2B Michael Arroyo, Seattle Mariners
6 of 10
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 5 SEA, No. 56 MLB
Stats (A /AA): 121 G, .262/.401/.433, 42 XBH (17 HR), 54 RBI, 12 SB
Scouting Report: With a 55-hit, 55-power offensive profile and a strong track record of production in the minors, Arroyo looks the part of a future bat-first second baseman in the big leagues.
He has drawn some comparisons to Howie Kendrick, and offers a nice mix of contact skills, pop and on-base ability while playing a passable second base defensively.
Why He Could Be Traded: The Mariners have one of the deepest farm systems in baseball and an abundance of middle infield talent, with Colt Emerson, Felnin Celesten and 2025 rookie Cole Young also looking to carve out a long-term role.
The front office has shown interest in re-signing Jorge Polanco, and if he returns, it could increase the odds of an Arroyo trade.
SS Aidan Miller, Philadelphia Phillies
7 of 10
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 2 PHI, No. 36 MLB
Stats (AA/AAA): 116 G, .264/.392/.433, 43 XBH (14 HR), 42 RBI, 59 SB
Scouting Report: Miller offered one of the highest offensive ceilings of any high school hitter in the 2023 draft, and he has delivered on that potential early in his pro career, showcasing his 55-hit, 60-power profile.
He has also been better than expected at shortstop, though third base might still end up being his long-term home.
Why He Could Be Traded: Andrew Painter is the only untouchable prospect in the Phillies system, and with Alec Bohm tendered a contract for 2026 and Trea Turner signed through 2033, Miller has no place in the team's short-term plans.
Their window of contention is closing, so the front office could be in all-in mode this winter.
RHP Jonah Tong, New York Mets
8 of 10
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 3 NYM, No. 34 MLB
Stats (AA/AAA): 22 GS, 1.43 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 47 BB, 179 K, 113.2 IP
Scouting Report: Despite making his MLB debut on Aug. 29 and spending the rest of the season in the majors, Tong still led all minor league pitchers with 179 strikeouts.
He has an elite fastball, plus changeup and a high-spin curve, all delivered from an over-the-top arm slot that is reminiscent of Tim Lincecum.
Tong had a 7.71 ERA in 18.2 innings in the majors, but he flashed upside with 22 strikeouts and a more palatable 4.31 FIP.
Why He Could Be Traded: The Mets have three exciting young arms in Tong, Nolan McLean and Brandon Sproat, but it's unlikely they will trust all three to hold down rotation spots in 2026.
With the front office clear in win-now mode, that could mean flipping one of those arms to address a need elsewhere, like center field.
LHP Payton Tolle, Boston Red Sox
9 of 10
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 1 BOS, No. 32 MLB
Stats (A /AA/AAA): 18 GS, 3.04 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 23 BB, 133 K, 91.2 IP
Scouting Report: With a big 6'6", 250-pound frame and elite extension, Tolle has a fastball that plays up considerably relative to his velocity, and he leans heavily on that pitch, throwing it 64.1 percent of the time in the majors.
The utilization of his secondary stuff remains a question mark, and he struggled to a 6.06 ERA in 16.1 innings after making his MLB debut, though he did have 22 strikeouts.
Why He Could Be Traded: Left-hander Connelly Early outperformed Tolle down the stretch, and if the Red Sox do kick the tires on a blockbuster deal for someone like MacKenzie Gore or Joe Ryan, Tolle could be the first name opposing teams are asking for in trades.
1B Bryce Eldridge, San Francisco Giants
10 of 10
B/R Prospect Rank: No. 1 SF, No. 11 MLB
Stats (Rk/AA/AAA): 102 G, .260/.333/.510, 46 XBH (25 HR), 84 RBI, 1 SB
Scouting Report: An imposing 6'7" slugger who was the best two-way player in his prep class before turning his sole focus to hitting, Eldridge has legitimate 70-grade power and the potential to be a middle-of-the-order run producer.
His 11.2 percent walk rate in pro ball speaks to a power hitter with a plan, though he went just 3-for-28 with 13 strikeouts in his first taste of the big leagues.
Why He Could Be Traded: If the Giants intend on using Rafael Devers as the primary first baseman going forward, they might be inclined to flip Eldridge now rather than locking him into the DH role.
The outfield is a clear need, and while they won't simply trade him to trade him, flipping him for the upgrade in the grass or a controllable young arm could jump-start their push back toward contention.
.png?w=480)
