5 Trades to Address MLB's Most Obvious Roster Problems
It is now weeks rather than months before pitchers and catchers start reporting to spring training, and roster holes abound across the MLB landscape that will need to be filled before the start of the new season.
The ongoing free agency of Kyle Tucker, Bo Bichette, Cody Bellinger, Framber Valdez, Ranger Suárez and Zac Gallen continues to be a major storyline, and once those dominos start to fall, it could also jump-start the trade market as teams that miss out on those top targets pivot to a fallback plan.
Ahead we've presented five trade proposals that would effectively solve some of the league's most obvious roster holes, with full trade details and a breakdown of the logic for both sides.
Lars Nootbaar to the New York Mets
1 of 5
To NYM: OF Lars Nootbaar
To STL: IF Ronny Mauricio
Mets Projected OF: LF Carson Benge, CF Tyrone Taylor, RF Juan Soto
Mets Logic: The Mets are still in the mix to sign Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger this offseason, but hedging their bets with this trade would be a step toward finalizing a roster that still needs multiple outfielders. Nootbaar has yet to have a true breakout season, but he does have a 109 OPS+ over five years in the majors and has averaged 2.8 WAR per 162 games played. He is also controllable through 2027.
Cardinals Logic: Trading two years of Nootbaar for four years of Mauricio makes sense for a Cardinals team kicking off a multi-year rebuild, even if it is a roll of the dice. Still only 24 years old, Mauricio has never had the chance to show what he can do over an extended run in the majors, but he has a top prospect pedigree.
Mitch Keller to the Athletics
2 of 5
To ATH: SP Mitch Keller
To PIT: OF Colby Thomas, SS Joshua Kuroda-Grauer, IF/OF Brennan Milone
A's Projected Rotation: RHP Luis Severino, LHP Jeffrey Springs, RHP Luis Morales, LHP Jacob Lopez, RHP Luis Medina
A's Logic: The A's have quietly assembled one of the best offensive cores in baseball, but no notable additions have been made to a starting rotation that ranked 27th in the majors with a 4.85 ERA in 2025. If they can't convince any of the market's remaining impact arms to jump onboard their rebuilding efforts, the trade market is the logical pivot.
Pirates Logic: Keller signed a five-year, $77 million extension prior to the 2024 season, but he is still owed $55.7 million over the final three seasons of that back-loaded deal. This package allows them to shed that payroll in exchange for a MLB-ready outfielder with a great minor league track record (Colby Thomas), a quality shortstop prospect coming off a strong run in the Arizona Fall League (Joshua Kuroda-Grauer) and a bat-first prospect who has produced in the upper minors (Brennan Milone).
Yandy Díaz to the Seattle Mariners
3 of 5
To SEA: DH Yandy Díaz
To TB: SS Nick Becker, C Josh Caron
Mariners Projected DH: Dominic Canzone
Mariners Logic: If the Mariners are going to go with some combination of Cole Young, Ben Williamson and Colt Emerson at second base and third base, it puts even more pressure on the rest of the lineup to produce. Dominic Canzone could shift to right field on the heels of his breakout 2025 campaign, with Victor Robles moving into a fourth outfielder role and Díaz slotting in as the primary DH.
Rays Logic: The Rays are always looking to get younger and cheaper, and even after trading away Brandon Lowe and declining their club option on Pete Fairbanks, they could still be looking to shed salary. Díaz, 34, is projected to be the highest-paid player on the team in 2026 with a $12 million salary. Nick Becker was an above-slot signing in the second round of the 2025 draft and has a 55-hit, 50-power offensive profile, while Josh Caron has the pop and throwing arm to offer intriguing upside behind the plate.
Freddy Peralta to the Baltimore Orioles
4 of 5
To BAL: SP Freddy Peralta
To MIL: OF Dylan Beavers, LHP Cade Povich, LHP Joseph Dzierwa
Orioles Projected Rotation: LHP Trevor Rogers, RHP Kyle Bradish, RHP Shane Baz, RHP Dean Kremer, RHP Zach Eflin
Orioles Logic: Despite trading for Shane Baz and re-signing Zach Eflin, the Orioles remain linked to the market's top arms as they seek a proven frontline starter to join Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish who will both be searching for fully healthy seasons in 2026. If they're not in love with Framber Valdez or Ranger Suarez as a potential fit, they have the farm system firepower for a "Corbin Burnes 2.0" trade with Milwaukee.
Brewers Logic: The Brewers were proactive in trading Corbin Burnes, Josh Hader and Devin Williams before losing them in free agency, so they are no stranger to this sort of move. Outfielder Dylan Beavers and left-hander Cade Povich closely mirror the Joey Ortiz and DL Hall package that Burnes brought back, as both are former Top 100 prospects who could contribute immediately. A third prospect piece in 2025 second-round pick Joseph Dzierwa sweetens the pot in a robust market.
Nico Hoerner to the Boston Red Sox
5 of 5
To BOS: 2B Nico Hoerner
To CHC: LHP Connelly Early
Red Sox Projected 2B: Romy González
Red Sox Logic: A reunion with Alex Bregman was long viewed as a foregone conclusion, and with that now off the table after he signed with the Cubs, it's time to pivot. Bo Bichette to play second or Eugenio Suárez to play third are potential free agency plays, but Nico Hoerner would give them an elite defensive second baseman and table-setting offensive player to slot near the top of the batting order. Connelly Early is a steep price to pay for a free-agent-to-be, but Hoerner is also coming off a 6.2-WAR season.
Cubs Logic: The Cubs could simply hold onto Hoerner and use Matt Shaw in a super-utility role, but they now have a high-value trade chip who could be on his way out the door anyway with free agency awaiting next winter. Early, 23, had a 2.33 ERA with 29 strikeouts in 19.1 innings over four starts as a September call-up, and showed enough in that audition to start Game 3 of the ALWC against the Yankees. He would give the organization much-needed depth with Shota Imanaga and Jameson Taillon both ticketed for free agency next offseason.
