Blockbuster MLB Trade Proposals For Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes, More Superstars
Even if we don't see a superstar moved on the trade market this offseason, expect plenty of attention-grabbing rumors, starting with 2025 Cy Young winners Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes both being viewed as some level of available.
That doesn't mean a trade is imminent, or even likely, but it does mean discussing potential landing spots and dissecting what a trade package might look like is a notch above pure fantasy.
Aside from those two aces, outfielder Jarren Duran and right-hander Freddy Peralta are two more big names frequently mentioned on the rumor mill, and it might be more likely than not they are both playing elsewhere in 2026.
Ahead, we've crafted hypothetical trade proposals for those four stars and three others with at least a non-zero chance of being moved this offseason.
Byron Buxton to the New York Mets
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To NYM: OF Byron Buxton
The Mets got a .210/.284/.314 batting line from their center fielders in 2025, with Tyrone Taylor (85 starts) and deadline pickup Cedric Mullins (34 starts) seeing the bulk of the work, while Jeff McNeil (28 starts) also manned the position on a semi-regular basis for the first time.
Byron Buxton has a long history of injuries, but he has played in 100 games in back-to-back seasons, and he had a 136 OPS-plus with 35 home runs, 24 steals and 4.9 WAR in 126 games.
He will earn $15.1 million annually through the 2028 season, with escalators if he reaches 502 plate appearances or finishes in the top 10 in MVP voting, making him a solid bargain relative to market value.
To MIN: SS Jett Williams, 3B Jacob Reimer, LHP Jonathan Santucci
Jett Williams (No. 39 on B/R Top 100) is the headliner of this package, and he would give the Twins another potential long-term option at shortstop or in center field, fitting the mold they have developed well in recent years.
Jacob Reimer has a 55-hit, 50-power offensive profile, and logged an .870 OPS with 32 doubles, 17 home runs and 77 RBI in 122 games between High-A and Double-A. Left-hander Jonathan Santucci is a high-floor southpaw who had 138 strikeouts in 117.2 innings while reaching Double-A in his pro debut.
Jarren Duran to the Kansas City Royals
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To KC: OF Jarren Duran
It's no secret the Royals need offensive help after finishing 26th in the majors with 651 runs scored, and the outfield is far and away the most obvious area for a potential impact addition.
Even falling short of his breakout 2024 numbers, Jarren Duran still hit .256/.332/.442 with 41 doubles, 13 triples, 16 home runs, 84 RBI, 86 runs scored and 24 steals in a 4.7-WAR campaign.
With club control through 2028, he could plug a hole in the lineup and at the top of the batting order for multiple seasons, serving as a table-setter for Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Perez and Vinnie Pasquantino.
To BOS: LHP Kris Bubic, C Carter Jensen
With an abundance of outfield talent, there is a high likelihood one of Duran or Wilyer Abreu is traded this offseason, and flipping them for pitching talent is the logical move.
With the Red Sox in win-now mode, they could prioritize MLB talent over prospects, and 2025 All-Star Kris Bubic would be a welcome addition to a staff that has already added Sonny Gray. A rotator cuff strain cut his breakout season short, but he is expected to be ready for Opening Day.
Since Bubic is only controllable for one more year, it will take more than just a one-for-one swap, and catcher Carter Jensen could bridge the gap as a MLB-ready bat who had a .941 OPS with three home runs and 13 RBI in 69 plate appearances as a September call-up.
The Red Sox are known to be in the market for catching talent, and they have been linked to free agent J.T. Realmuto, so he fills a need.
MacKenzie Gore to the Baltimore Orioles
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To BAL: LHP MacKenzie Gore
MacKenzie Gore is a Scott Boras client who is unlikely to sign a long-term extension, and the Nationals are still at least a few years from serious contention, so there is a growing expectation that he will be traded this winter.
The 26-year-old is arbitration-eligible through 2027, and coming off his first All-Star selection in 2025 as he logged a 4.17 ERA and 185 strikeouts in 159.2 innings, so the asking price will be steep.
The Orioles have a clear need to add a third quality arm atop the rotation alongside Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish, and he would slot in nicely as a multi-year option who still has some untapped upside.
To WAS: LHP Cade Povich, OF Dylan Beavers, RHP Esteban Mejia, RHP Trey Gibson
The Nationals could plug Cade Povich right into their starting rotation and Dylan Beavers directly into a starting spot in their outfield, but the appeal of this package would hinge on how much they believe in Povich's long-term potential.
Esteban Mejia has electric stuff with a fastball that touches 102 mph, and he was one of the biggest breakout pitching prospects of 2025 with an eye-opening stateside debut. The 18-year-old could end up being the best player in this package.
Rounding out the trade, right-hander Trey Gibson is close to big league-ready and could find a spot in a big league rotation with a strong 6'5", 240-pound frame and swing-and-miss stuff that helped him rack up 166 strikeouts in 120.1 innings while reaching Triple-A.
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Steven Kwan to the Cincinnati Reds
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To CIN: OF Steven Kwan
The Reds are unlikely to do any real spending in free agency, but they could make a push to acquire Steven Kwan to fill a long-standing void in their outfield, especially coming off a surprise playoff berth.
An elite defender with elite contact skills, a strong on-base percentage and plus speed, Kwan provides value in a wide variety of ways, and that has helped him rack up 16.5 WAR over his first four seasons in the majors.
He is controllable for two more years, and if they don't plan on signing him long-term, now could be the time for the Guardians to pull the trigger on a trade.
To CLE: SS Tyson Lewis, RHP Chase Petty, RHP Zach Maxwell
Shortstop Tyson Lewis (No. 85 on B/R Top 100) is the headliner after raising his stock considerably with a .311/.376/.486 line with 31 extra-base hits and 27 steals in 81 games between rookie ball and Single-A.
Hard-throwing Chase Petty is a MLB-ready arm with impact stuff who has yet to fully realize his potential, while Zach Maxwell could plug straight into the big league bullpen with a fastball that has touched 103 mph and a plus slider.
The Kwan market likely won't take shape until Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger have both signed, but there is still a real chance he is moved this winter.
Freddy Peralta to the New York Yankees
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To NYY: RHP Freddy Peralta
With Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt all expected to open the year on the injured list, the Yankees will be in the market for starting pitching help.
They could look more for stopgap help, but swinging for the fences with a blockbuster deal to acquire Freddy Peralta would give them a rotation that stacks up to any in baseball once everyone is healthy.
Peralta was already viewed as a potential trade candidate this offseason, and the odds of him being moved increased when Brandon Woodruff made the somewhat surprising decision to accept his qualifying offer.
To MIL: RHP Carlos Lagrange, RHP Bryce Cunningham, RHP Cade Smith
The Yankees have not shied away from trading their pitching prospects over the years, holding onto guys they viewed as true impact arms like Luis Severino and Cam Schlittler, and using the rest to acquire proven big league talent.
Carlos Lagrange, Bryce Cunningham and Elmer Rodriguez are the consensus top-tier of arms in their system, and a package built around two of those guys might be difficult for other teams in the running for Peralta to top.
Right-hander Cade Smith is further down the prospect list, but after logging a 2.50 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 39.2 innings while limiting opposing hitters to a .170 average across three levels, his arrow is pointing up.
Paul Skenes
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To LAD: RHP Paul Skenes
Unless something changes drastically, like the team is sold to a deep-pocketed owner in the very near future, the Pirates will eventually face the inevitability of losing Paul Skenes to greener pastures.
With club control through 2029 and his first year of arbitration eligibility still a year away, that's still a few years down the road. If they are going to inevitably trade him, though, there is no harm in testing the market now to see what sort of franchise-altering offer might be on the table.
For the Dodgers, it would be a case of the rich getting richer, and Skenes actually lines up nicely with high-priced veterans Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell, as his more expensive free-agency years in a potential extension would line up with those two falling off the books.
To PIT: RHP Emmet Sheehan, OF Andy Pages, C Dalton Rushing, OF Josue De Paula, IF Alex Freeland
Emmet Sheehan would immediately replace Skenes in the Pittsburgh rotation and come with club control through 2029, while slugger Andy Pages would immediately become one of Pittsburgh's top run producers with even longer control through 2030.
Dalton Rushing and Alex Freeland have yet to break through in the big leagues, but they do have MLB experience and little left to prove in the minors. In theory, they could slot in as the starting catcher and starting shortstop for the Pirates immediately.
Rounding out the package with high-ceiling outfielder Josue De Paula, who is a consensus top 25 prospect in baseball and checks in No. 15 on the B/R Top 100, makes this a package with four immediate MLB contributors and one elite prospect with bona fide superstar potential.
Would this even be enough for the Pirates to say yes if they were listening to offers?
Tarik Skubal
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To CHC: LHP Tarik Skubal
The Cubs have a rotation filled with No. 3/4 starter types and lacking a bona fide ace, and while 2025 rookie Cade Horton has the potential to fill that role, adding a proven frontline starter this winter would make them legitimate title contenders.
After paying a steep price for Kyle Tucker last offseason, only to watch him walk in free agency, they would need to have some belief they would be willing to lock Skubal up with a long-term extension.
If there's an all-in move to be made for the North Siders, this is it.
To DET: C Moises Ballesteros, RHP Jaxon Wiggins, OF Kevin Alcántara, RHP Javier Assad
With Detroit's window of contention open now, they will likely value MLB readiness in the prospect centerpieces of any Skubal blockbuster, and the Cubs have a wealth of talent that fits the bill.
Moises Ballesteros (No. 30 on B/R Top 100) and Kevin Alcántara both saw big league action in 2025, with the former ready for an extended look in a catcher/designated hitter hybrid role.
Right-hander Jaxon Wiggins (No. 94 on B/R Top 100) is also knocking on the door after closing out a breakout 2025 campaign at the Triple-A level, posting a 2.19 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 97 strikeouts in 78 innings overall.
While no longer a prospect, Javier Assad gives the Tigers a potential rotation option or multi-inning bullpen weapon. The 28-year-old has a 3.43 ERA in 331 innings in the majors over the last four seasons, and he offers some roster flexibility with two minor league options remaining.
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