The Top Landing Spot for Best MLB Players Linked to Trade Rumors
Not only are Kyle Tucker, Bo Bichette, Alex Bregman, Framber Valdez and Ranger Suárez still available in free agency, but some of the top names in the sport could be had on the trade market.
Thus far this offseason, Sonny Gray (Boston Red Sox), Willson Contreras (Red Sox), Jeff McNeil (Athletics), Taylor Ward (Baltimore Orioles), Shane Baz (Orioles), Marcus Semien (New York Mets) and Brandon Nimmo (Texas Rangers) have all been traded.
Here's a look at some other names who have been rumored to be available to varying degrees this offseason, and where they could land if traded.
Alec Bohm, 3B/1B
1 of 8
Best Trade Fit: Seattle Mariners
Considering he's projected by MLB Trade Rumors to make $10.3 million in his final year of arbitration eligibility, Alec Bohm seemed like an obvious candidate to be dealt at the outset of the offseason.
However, Bohm's name hasn't been mentioned in trade rumors the same way it was last season. While the lack of right-handed hitting around the sport currently should make him more appealing as a trade candidate, the Phillies—a team that's pretty left-handed, even after adding Adolis García—might not be inclined to deal him for that same reason.
Also, top prospect Aidan Miller is probably more of a midseason call-up candidate, and for as much as the Phillies have talked up Otto Kemp, he really struggled defensively at the hot corner in his rookie season.
With all that acknowledged, the Phillies were very willing to listen on Bohm last offseason, and as players like Bichette, Bregman and Eugenio Suárez come off the board in free agency, the former All-Star could become a fallback candidate on the trade market.
The Mariners were a team linked to Bohm last offseason. They've already lost Jorge Polanco in free agency. Suárez might opt for greener hitting pastures as well. Cole Young could take over at second base, but Bohm—who drove in 97 runs in both 2023 and 2024—would be an upgrade over Ben Williamson at the hot corner.
Bohm is probably more likely to stay with the Phillies than not, but considering how good of a fit he looks like for the Mariners and Los Angeles Angels, he's definitely not certain to be wearing red pinstripes in 2026.
Freddy Peralta, RHP
2 of 8
Best Trade Fit: Houston Astros
To be clear, the Milwaukee Brewers—who won an MLB-best 97 games this past regular season—should hold onto Freddy Peralta if they want to maximize their World Series chances in 2026.
With that said, Peralta is going to cost significantly more than the $8 million he's making in 2026 come 2027, meaning he's unlikely to be in Milwaukee past this upcoming season. With Brandon Woodruff accepting the qualifying offer and the intriguing young duo of Jacob Misiorowski and Quinn Priester, you can at least understand why the low-budget Brewers would listen on their ace.
The 29-year-old righty went 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA and 204 strikeouts across 176.2 innings pitched this past season, finishing fifth in NL Cy Young Award voting. It would probably be easier to make a list of contending teams not interested in Peralta than those who are.
Even if he's a rental, Peralta would make quite a bit of sense for the Astros, who are likely to lose Framber Valdez in free agency. Houston has quite a bit of uncertainty in their rotation after Hunter Brown, so Peralta would help to give Joe Espada's squad a little more stability among their starters.
The usual suspects—the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox—are all also great fits for Peralta, it's just a matter of whether Milwaukee president of baseball operations Matt Arnold actually wants to deal the two-time All-Star.
Brendan Donovan, IF/OF
3 of 8
Best Trade Fit: San Francisco Giants
Chaim Bloom seems to be tearing things down to the studs in his first offseason as the president of baseball operations in St. Louis. With the aforementioned Gray and Contreras already traded, All-Star Brendan Donovan might be next up.
Katie Woo of The Athletic reported earlier this month that Mariners and San Francisco Giants had "emerged as front-runners" to acquire Donovan. In regards to Bohm, we discussed the need Seattle has for another infielder. The Giants don't desperately need to add a second baseman, but Donovan would be an improvement over Casey Schmitt.
The other thing that makes Donovan such an intriguing trade candidate is that he has pretty extensive experience in left field, and can play pretty much every spot on the diamond. So you could trade for Donovan with the thought that he will be your second baseman on Opening Day, while knowing he could shift to first base or left field if a need arises there.
Additionally, Donovan puts the ball in play pretty consistently, so he's capable of hitting at just about any spot in the lineup, be it for Tony Vitello or anyone else.
MacKenzie Gore, LHP
4 of 8
Best Trade Fit: New York Yankees
There's a new regime in Washington, with Paul Toboni now taking over as the president of baseball operations for the Nationals.
For as good of a job as his predecessor Mike Rizzo did in the trade return he got from the San Diego Padres for Juan Soto and Josh Bell in August of 2022, Toboni doesn't have the same vested interest in keeping pieces from that deal, such as MacKenzie Gore.
ESPN's Buster Olney reported on Dec. 5 that there was "a perception in a couple of front offices that Gore will definitely be among those moved in the days ahead." That didn't materialize, but around that same time, Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic reported that "more than half the league has at least checked in on" Gore, which leads us to believe one will ultimately put together an offer that pleases the rebuilding Nats.
Max Fried was tremendous in his first season with the Yankees, finishing fourth in AL Cy Young Award voting. But there's quite a bit of uncertainty in the rotation after him. Former AL Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole missed all of 2025 recovering from Tommy John surgery, and is now 35 years old. Carlos Rodón had a bone spur removed from his left elbow after the season. Luis Gil made just 11 starts in 2025 after winning AL Rookie of the Year in 2024. Clarke Schmidt had an internal brace inserted in his elbow in mid July, so he won't be ready for the start of the season. And while it's understandable that there's excitement surrounding Cam Schlittler, he has just 14 regular-season starts under his belt.
Trading for Gore would give the Yankees a pitcher that's made at least 30 starts in consecutive seasons. He did struggle after the All-Star Break, but the pitcher who posted a 3.02 ERA over 19 first-half starts looked like a top-of-the-rotation arm. Gore could benefit from going to a contending organization that might help to unlock his ace potential on a more consistent basis.
The Yankees, though, are just one of many teams that Gore makes sense for. The former first-round pick will turn 27 in February and has two remaining years before free agency.
Tarik Skubal, LHP
5 of 8
Best Trade Fit: New York Mets
It still seems likely that Tarik Skubal will be the Opening Day starter for the Detroit Tigers in San Diego on March 26. But Detroit hasn't altogether shut down trade talk regarding the two-time defending AL Cy Young Award winner, so it remains worth discussing.
Remember, it was just two years ago that the Brewers, coming off of a division title, traded former NL Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes to the Orioles in the February prior to his contract year. So just because Skubal wasn't traded at the Winter Meetings doesn't necessarily mean he won't still be this offseason.
To be clear, the Tigers would have to be overwhelmed to even begin to be able to justify trading the best pitcher in baseball. With only one year until free agency and a high likelihood that the Scott Boras client tests free agency regardless of where he plays in 2026, it's possible that type of offer won't materialize.
The Mets, though, have remade their roster after 28-37 following the All-Star Break. It may very well work out, but with Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, Edwin Díaz and McNeil all gone, president of baseball operations David Stearns isn't particularly popular in Flushing right now.
While Stearns has remade the lineup and bullpen so far, it was the starting rotation that failed the Mets the most down the stretch in 2025. They lacked a stopper. Obviously, Skubal fits that bill as well as anyone right now.
The Mets also have the prospect/veteran capital to at least intrigue Scott Harris and the Tigers. Even with Nolan McLean almost certainly off the table, Jonah Tong and Brandon Sproat are two young arms that could be at the forefront of a deal. Heck, who's to say the Tigers wouldn't also have interest in taking back one of the veteran arms in New York's rotation, with David Peterson, Kodai Senga and Sean Manaea all bounce back candidates to varying degrees.
Again, Skubal is probably going to remain with the Tigers. But the Mets are the team with the best mix of need and arms that could satisfy Detroit if they really consider dealing the two-time All-Star.
Nick Castellanos, OF/DH/1B
6 of 8
Best Trade Fit: Colorado Rockies
Dombrowski and the Phillies have strongly signaled this offseason that they are going to move on from Nick Castellanos, whose relationship with manager Rob Thomson has clearly deteriorated.
The 33-year-old also posted the lowest WAR (minus-0.6) among all qualified position players this past season.
Even though the Phillies are likely willing to eat a significant chunk of the $20 million owed to Castellanos in the final year of a $100 million contract, there's a pretty decent chance they just end up releasing him.
But whether it's in a trade or as a free agent, there should be some suitors for the two-time All-Star. Castellanos did post an .839 OPS as recently as the second half of the 2024 season. He's consistently graded out as one of the worst defensive right fielders in baseball, posting minus-11 defensive runs saved and minus-12 outs above average this past season. But he's signaled a willingness to play first base this offseason, and obviously could be an option at DH as well.
The hometown Miami Marlins have been speculated upon as a fit, though they've already signed a free-swinger with defensive concerns this offseason in Christopher Morel.
After a 119-loss campaign—and three straight seasons of 100-plus losses—the Rockies could use a veteran with an edge as they try to get their franchise back on track. Castellanos could split his time platooning with Mickey Moniak at DH and Troy Johnston at first base, two left-handed hitters. He also still does have the ability to go out to the right field, though Coors Field is a spacious outfield.
The guess here is that Castellanos will be released by the Phillies, and the Rockies or any other interested team will be able to sign him for the minimum of $780,000.
Jarren Duran, LF/CF
7 of 8
Best Trade Fit: Pittsburgh Pirates
Even though Jarren Duran is just a year removed from a top-10 finish in AL MVP voting, he might be the odd man out in the Boston Red Sox outfield.
Boston could still hold onto Duran as their DH and someone that gets occasional looks in the outfield, but the 29-year-old might have more value in a trade than he would on Alex Cora's roster in 2026.
Determining Duran's value is going to be difficult.
He was a superstar in 2024, leading baseball in both doubles (48) and triples (13), while posting a 6.8 WAR that FanGraphs said was seventh among all position players. If you believe 2024 is indicative of what Duran is moving forward, he would be worth a haul considering he can't become a free agent until after the 2028 season.
However, Duran was much more like an All-Star level player in 2025, which still has value, but not to the same extent. Yes, he still led the AL with 13 triples and doubled 41 times. But his OPS dropped from .834 in 2024 to .774 in 2025. His WAR dipped from 6.8 in 2024 to 3.9 in 2025. There would still be trade interest in the 2025 version of Duran, but that version of him isn't someone you would gut your farm system to acquire.
From a fit standpoint, the Kansas City Royals seemed to make the most sense entering the offseason. They've signed Lane Thomas and traded for Isaac Collins, but Kansas City has gotten such poor outfield production in recent years that they still shouldn't be ruled out for Duran.
As things stand, though, the Pirates might be an even better landing spot for Duran. Pittsburgh has signed Ryan O'Hearn already this offseason, but if they want to make the best of their remaining time with Paul Skenes, that can't be the only move. Acquiring Duran would give the Pirates a pretty respectable outfield—particularly when facing right-handed pitching—along with Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds. Duran also isn't particularly expensive right now with three remaining arbitration seasons.
The Red Sox certainly shouldn't give Duran away, but teams like the Pirates and Royals would probably be more excited to have him than Boston.
Pablo López, RHP
8 of 8
Best Trade Fit: Athletics
After tearing things down last summer, the Twins appear likely to hold onto their remaining stars, with Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reporting earlier this month that Minnesota "does not anticipate moving center fielder Byron Buxton or right-handers Joe Ryan and Pablo López."
The Twins may not anticipate trading any of that trio, but they've shed payroll in recent years, and López is set to make $21.75 million in each of the next two seasons. If someone is willing to take that on, are we really to believe they would hang up the phone?
Admittedly, the landing spot of the Athletics is probably more aspirational than anything. But with Nick Kurtz, Tyler Soderstrom, Brent Rooker, Jacob Wilson and Shea Langeliers, the A's have a lineup that's ready to compete next season.
Their pitching is a long way away, which is partially due to the fact that Sutter Health Park proved to be a bandbox. But while the Athletics can hope Luis Severino improves at home next season and Jeffrey Springs gets better results, they still need more manpower. López would give them that, and if he is able to pitch 180-plus innings as he did every year from 2022 to 2024, the $53.5 million he's due over the next two seasons is actually more than fair.
Does owner John Fisher care about winning while the A's are in Sacramento? That's fair to wonder. But there is a budding young lineup that could be one of the best in baseball in the not-so-distant future. It would be a shame to waste that with incompetent pitching.
