The Most Likely Trade For All 30 MLB Teams in 2026-27 Offseason

Marquee free agents like Tarik Skubal and Randy Arozarena will take center stage with the official start of Major League Baseball's 2026-27 offseason just around the bend, but trades will also feature prominently in the months until the next regular season begins.

All told, there were 67 trades last offseason, including the deals that put Freddy Peralta, Mauricio Dubón, Willson Contreras, Sonny Gray, Nolan Arenado, Marcus Semien, Brandon Nimmo, Brandon Lowe and Shane Baz in their new homes.

The Rays and Red Sox led the way with 13 trades apiece. Only the Padres didn't make at least one player swap between Halloween and Opening Day.

With that in mind, we've taken an early look at what each team might be most eager to trade for/away this offseason.

While we're not proposing specific trade packages, we did include a "Prime Target" for each team that figures to do some buying.

Teams are presented in alphabetical order and broken up by division.

Estimates for 2027 arbitration-eligible salaries come from MLB Trade Rumors.

American League East

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Baltimore Orioles: A Trade for a Starting Pitcher
Prime Target: Seattle's Logan Gilbert (arbitration-eligible in 2027, estimated at $15.4M)

Before too much longer, Baltimore could have quite the starting rotation, led by current Double-A prospects Anthony Eyanson, Joseph Dzierwa and Caden Hunter. But the tentative plan for the 2027 rotation leaves much to be desired, needing a stopgap solution until those young'uns are ready for the show. Maybe it's Joe Ryan or Sandy Alcantara instead of Logan Gilbert, but targeting an ace-caliber arm that is one year away from free agency should be the goal here.

Boston Red Sox: A Trade for a Middle Infielder
Prime Target: Houston's Jeremy Peña (arbitration-eligible in 2027, estimated at $13.1M)

Though they have a potential star waiting in the wings in the form of top prospect Franklin Arias, the Red Sox got a whole lot of nothing from their 2B and SS spots in 2026. And because they rather expect Arias to be a key piece of the puzzle by no later than 2028, trading for a multi-year solution a la CJ Abrams, Zach Neto or Corey Seager probably isn't the route they want to go, if they can instead get one year of Peña at a not-too-exorbitant cost.

New York Yankees: A Trade for a Closer
Prime Target: Milwaukee's Trevor Megill (arbitration-eligible in 2027, estimated at $8.0M)

With David Bednar and darn near every other reliever of note hitting free agency, the Yankees have quite a bit of work to do on their bullpen. The dream target would be Mason Miller, if the Padres are willing to have that conversation. But while trading for Devin Williams didn't pan out how they hoped in 2025, going back to Milwaukee for Trevor Megill could be the move. He was an All-Star last year and probably ought to be a three-time reigning All-Star at this point.

Tampa Bay Rays: A Trade of Drew Rasmussen
Contract: $20M club option for 2027

Most teams wouldn't dream of trading away a Cy Young caliber pitcher unless it was an unavoidable step in embracing a rebuild. Once that salary creeps north of $10M, though, it's simply a standard operating procedure for the Rays, who have dealt the likes of Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell, Chris Archer, David Price, James Shields and Scott Kazmir in years gone by. And for an ace who was an All-Star in both 2025 and 2026, they should be able to command a return on par with what Milwaukee got for Freddy Peralta this past winter, if not better.

Toronto Blue Jays: A Trade for a Left Fielder
Prime Target: Cleveland's Steven Kwan (arbitration-eligible in 2027, estimated at $11.3M)

Fourteen players made at least one appearance in left field for the Blue Jays in 2026, and they're probably going to decline their club option on the player who led the bunch with 74 appearances (Myles Straw). In theory, Anthony Santander could factor into the OF/DH mix in 2027, but Toronto almost has to view him as a fully sunk cost at this point. But like the Rays, the Guardians love to trade away players once they start getting expensive. They might be willing to move Kwan if Toronto makes it worth their while.

American League Central

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Chicago White Sox: A Trade for a Starting Pitcher
Prime Target: Los Angeles' Reid Detmers (two years of arbitration eligibility, estimated at $7.5M in 2027)

The White Sox acquired Luis Castillo ahead of the August trade deadline, but La Piedra gave them an 8.42 ERA and hardly seems to be the answer to their pitching woes for 2027—even though they'll need to pay him $23M. A new multi-year solution would be fantastic, as they A) don't have much pitching potential in their prospect pipeline and B) never have been a big spender in free agency. Reid Detmers might be gettable from the Angels.

Cleveland Guardians: A Trade of Steven Kwan
Contract: Arbitration-eligible in 2027, estimated at $11.3M

This past winter was a quiet one for the Guardians. But the previous offseason, they traded away Josh Naylor, Myles Straw and Andrés Giménez in a trio of salary dumps. They also proceeded to trade away Shane Bieber that summer, rather than risk getting stuck with his $16M player option. So, even though Kwan has been arguably a top 25 position player over the past five seasons, would anyone be the least bit surprised if they trade him away? Moving Jo Adell—projected for $9.6M in his final year of arbitration eligibility—is also very much on the table here.

Detroit Tigers: A Trade for an Established Starting Pitcher
Prime Target: Texas' Jacob deGrom ($37M in 2027; $20M club option in 2028)

Detroit has quite a few viable options for its 2027 starting rotation. However, beyond Framber Valdez, it's a lot of "if he stays healthy for a change" and "might break through in 2027" types of candidates. They should have room in the budget for a big splash, though. And if they'd rather trade for one expensive year of a two-time Cy Young winner instead of trying to re-sign their former two-time Cy Young winner to what promises to be an historic contract, they should find out if the Rangers are willing to budge on deGrom, who has given them a 3.44 ERA since his arrival in 2023.

Kansas City Royals: A Trade for Relief Pitching
Prime Target: Pittsburgh's Luke Weaver ($5M)

The Royals could decide to blow things up, with either one or two years of team control remaining on a bunch of core players. However, it's more likely they'll make a concerted effort to win another World Series in 2027 and/or 2028. And in order to do so, improving a bullpen that had an MLB-worst 5.10 FIP and near-worst 5.07 ERA is a must. Luke Weaver had a cup of coffee with the Royals back in 2022. Bringing him back could be a good first step.

Minnesota Twins: A Trade for a Big Bat
Prime Target: Colorado's Hunter Goodman (three years of arbitration eligibility, estimated at $6.2M in 2027)

Minnesota didn't sell last winter, it didn't sell at the trade deadline and it probably isn't going to burn things down this offseason, even with Joe Ryan and Pablo López headlining a long list of key players who will be free agents one year from now. If they are, in fact, in it to win it in 2027, they need to get another potent bat into a lineup that gets mediocre in a hurry beyond Byron Buxton and Kody Clemens. Would be huge if they can get Hunter Goodman as a three-year replacement for free agent catcher Ryan Jeffers.

American League West

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Athletics: A Trade of Shea Langeliers
Contract: Two years of arbitration eligibility, estimated at $8.7M in 2027

Surely, the Athletics would love to have signed Shea Langeliers to the type of long-term extension with which they've locked up Jacob Wilson, Tyler Soderstrom, Lawrence Butler and Brent Rooker in recent years. However, Scott Boras doesn't play that game. And given how woeful this pitching staff is, the A's can't realistically expect to become a true contender within the next two years before he hits free agency. So, maybe trade him away now? Precious few catchers have been more valuable than Langeliers over the past three years.

Houston Astros: A Trade of One of Their Infielders
Contract: See Below

Christian Walker is owed $20M next season. Houston holds a $13.4M club option on Isaac Paredes. Jeremy Peña is projected to fetch $13.1M in arbitration. All three of those infielders will be free agents next winter. But considering the Astros also still have Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa for several years to come and a dire need for starting pitching right now, there's a good chance they'll flip one of those three impending free agents, either directly for an arm or to make room in the budget to sign one.

Los Angeles Angels: A Trade of Reid Detmers
Contract: Two years of arbitration eligibility, estimated at $7.5M in 2027

The sale of this franchise from Arte Moreno to Stan Kroenke gave Angels fans some hope for the first time in a long time. But do we think they're going to turn things around overnight? The year after setting a franchise record for losses in a single season? Or does the change in ownership simply mean cleaning house and finally embracing a proper rebuild for the first time? Probably the latter, and Reid Detmers would generate a lot of interest on the trade block fresh off easily the best season of his career.

Seattle Mariners: A Trade of a Starting Pitcher
Contract: See Below

If Kade Anderson is here to stay (and he most likely is), Seattle enters the offseason with a six-man rotation, plus Logan Evans as a seventh option after he missed all of 2026 to an internal brace elbow surgery. Trading from that surplus to upgrade the offense could be the plan. The question is whether they sell high on Emerson Hancock (four years of team control remaining) after his breakout year, or part with Logan Gilbert, who has one year of arbitration eligibility remaining at a projected $15.4M. Our guess is the latter, as it gives them more money to play with in free agency.

Texas Rangers: A Trade for a Controllable Starting Pitcher
Prime Target: New York's Luis Gil (three years of arbitration eligibility, estimated at $2.3M in 2027)

Both Nathan Eovaldi and MacKenzie Gore will be free agents next winter, while the Rangers will need to decide whether exercising a $20M club option for what will be Jacob deGrom's age-40 season is a good idea. Even ignoring that 2028 dilemma, though, they could really use another arm for 2027, as they don't have a single returning pitcher (even including that big three) who made at least six starts with a sub-4.20 ERA in 2026. The Yankees sure do have a surplus of starting pitchers, though, and would probably be willing to part with the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year.

National League East

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Atlanta Braves: A Trade for a Shortstop
Prime Target: Los Angeles' Zach Neto (three years of arbitration eligibility, estimated at $9.8M in 2027)

If they manage to re-sign Mauricio Dubón, never mind. Atlanta's primary trade block focus at that point would be adding a starting pitcher who might actually be able to stay healthy. As is, though, Jim Jarvis is the leader in the clubhouse for the starting shortstop gig on Opening Day, and he posted a .564 OPS before spending the final six weeks of the regular season at Triple-A Gwinnett. Dating back to July 2022, though, the Braves have made 13 trades with the Angels, and maybe they can go back to that well to snag Zach Neto.

Miami Marlins: A Trade for a Potential Closer
Prime Target: Athletics' Luis Medina (three years of arbitration eligibility, estimated at $1.4M in 2027)

There's also a considerably non-zero chance the Marlins will exercise their $21M club option on Sandy Alcantara before trading him away. However, with at least two years of team control remaining on every other key contributor from this season, buying makes more sense than selling off one of the most valuable players in franchise history. And what the Marlins desperately need is a reliever to turn to in high-leverage situations. Luis Medina could be that guy, giving the A's a 3.08 ERA in his first season as a reliever.

New York Mets: A Trade for a Starting Pitcher (or a Corner Infielder)
Prime Target: Minnesota's Joe Ryan (Arbitration-eligible in 2027, estimated at $9.6M)

If Bo Bichette opts out and New York uses those "savings" to get across the finish line in its impending negotiations with Tarik Skubal, trading for a corner infielder might be the way they go. But even if they do sign Skubal, the Mets could still use another starting pitcher, lest they pin their hopes and dreams on Sean Manaea and Kodai Senga again.

Philadelphia Phillies: A Trade for an Inexpensive-Yet-Impactful Outfielder
Prime Target: Los Angeles' Alex Call (three years of arbitration eligibility, estimated at $1.9M in 2027)

Unless Bryce Harper is moving back to right field on a more permanent basis, Philadelphia's outfield plans for 2027 appear to be Brandon Marsh in left, Justin Crawford in center and Derek Hill in right with Bryan De La Cruz as the primary reserve. But with an estimated 2027 cash payroll that is already the highest in the majors, signing a Randy Arozarena or Ian Happ to improve that situation hardly seems like an option. Bringing Alex Call back to the NL East could work, though. He struggled in 2026, but had an .800 OPS between the 2024 and 2025 campaigns.

Washington Nationals: A Trade for a Veteran Starting Pitcher
Prime Target: Kansas City's Michael Wacha ($14M in 2027, club option of $14M-$18M for 2028)

Washington's rotation is already looking more promising than it did for most of the regular season. DJ Herz, Josiah Gray and Connelly Early logged a combined total of 14.0 innings for the Nationals in 2026, but the 2027 rotation should be that trio, Cade Cavalli and Andrew Alvarez, if nothing changes. That might be the youngest rotation in the league, though, and would benefit from a veteran like Wacha, who has nearly twice as many career innings pitched (1,828) as that quintet combined (959).

National League Central

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Chicago Cubs: A Trade for a Starting Pitcher
Prime Target: Los Angeles' Gavin Stone (three years of arbitration eligibility, estimated at $1.2M in 2027)

The Cubs have a ton of work to do on their starting rotation, but the silver lining is they should have plenty of room in the budget to make it happen. Their farm system isn't great, though, so getting one year of an ace like Logan Gilbert or Drew Rasmussen would be tough to pull off. Maybe they spend big in free agency and trade for a buy-low option like Gavin Stone? He missed all of 2025 to shoulder surgery and was unable to make it back to the big leagues in 2026, but he's a solid 'maybe' for a rotation spot in 2027 if traded.

Cincinnati Reds: A Trade of Nick Lodolo
Contract: Arbitration-eligible in 2027, estimated at $5.7M

Lodolo had a rough go through 2026, hampered by a blister that kept him from making his season debut until Mother's Day weekend. But he had a sub-4.00 FIP in each of 2022, 2024 and 2025 and is a prime candidate for a bounce-back year. With only one year of team control remaining, though, the Reds might/should put him on the trade block to see how much others are willing to bet on his potential comeback campaign.

Milwaukee Brewers: A Trade of Trevor Megill
Contract: Arbitration-eligible in 2027, estimated at $8M

Josh Hader. Corbin Burnes. Devin Williams. Freddy Peralta. Trevor Megill? Trading away an All-Star pitcher the year before he hits free agency has become an annual rite of passage for the Brewers. It's pretty darn hard to argue with the results, too, as they get better each year. And with Abner Uribe boasting a career ERA of 2.20 and almost certainly ready to step into the closer role—with four years of team control remaining—why wouldn't they do it again?

Pittsburgh Pirates: A Trade for a Big Infield Bat
Prime Target: Houston's Isaac Paredes ($13.4M club option for 2027)

Brandon Lowe's one season with Pittsburgh was everything the Pirates could have asked for, playing in 150 games and hitting 35 home runs. Now he's a free agent, though, and it's back to the drawing board with several spots in the lineup that could use an infusion of offense. Third base, in particular, is looking bleak, and we've previously mentioned that Houston is probably going to be willing to move one of its infielders. And, come on, "Pittsburgh Paredes" is right there as an awesome nickname.

St. Louis Cardinals: A Trade for an Ace Pitcher
Prime Target: Los Angeles' Reid Detmers (two years of arbitration eligibility, estimated at $7.5M in 2027)

Putting the cart before the horse here, but if the Cardinals manage to add a legitimate ace this winter, they're going to be the team that everyone falls in love with as the pick to go from sub-.500 in 2026 to a possible first-round bye in 2027. Upgrading the third base situation is presumably also on their to-do list, but adding an Opening Day starter would be huge. And they've restocked their farm system to such a degree over the past two years that they surely have the prospects necessary to make it happen.

National League West

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Arizona Diamondbacks: A Trade for Relief Pitching
Prime Target: Milwaukee's Trevor Megill (Arbitration-eligible in 2027, estimated at $8M)

Of their seven primary relievers in 2026, only two are slated to return. (And this wasn't a particularly good bullpen in the first place.) Maybe they pony up a big offer for free agents David Bednar or Adrián Morejón, but investing heavily in relief pitching has never really been their style. Trading for one year of a Trevor Megill or Emilio Pagan is more their speed, especially if they're not convinced Justin Martinez is the answer at closer.

Colorado Rockies: A Trade of Willi Castro
Contract: $7.3M in 2027

In each of the past three years, Willi Castro has tallied at least 10 home runs, at least 10 stolen bases and at least 10 appearances at four different positions. Those types of super utilitymen who can single-handedly fill out a depth chart without needing to be hidden in the 9-hole are becoming increasingly invaluable. And it'd be a shame if another year of his prime is spent wasting away again in Colorado. He could be just what the doctor ordered for a team like Atlanta, Boston or Texas.

Los Angeles Dodgers: A Trade for a Utilityman
Prime Target: Detroit's Zach McKinstry (Arbitration-eligible in 2027, estimated at $5M)

Speaking of teams who could use a super utilityman, the Dodgers need to replace the retiring Miguel Rojas, whose departure leaves their infield depth chart looking pretty shallow. Signing a Mauricio Dubón, Edmundo Sosa or Ha-Seong Kim could be the path of least resistance, but buying low on Zach McKinstry after he hit .199 in 2026 is also on the table.

San Diego Padres: A Trade for a Starting Pitcher
Prime Target: Tampa Bay's Drew Rasmussen ($20M club option for 2027)

There's a dream scenario in which Michael King doesn't opt out of the two years left on his contract while both Joe Musgrove and Yu Darvish make triumphant returns in 2027. There's also a nightmare scenario in which none of those things happen and the Padres are looking at JP Sears, Jhony Brito and Jagger Haynes as regulars in the rotation behind Nick Pivetta and Randy Vásquez. In other words, there's work to be done here, and AJ Preller has never been shy about swinging big on the trade block. Maybe they can pry Rasmussen away from Tampa Bay?

San Francisco Giants: A Trade of a Big Position Player Contract
Contract: See Below

The Giants still owe Rafael Devers $211M for seven more seasons, Willy Adames $140M for five more seasons, Matt Chapman $100M for four more seasons and Jung Hoo Lee $63M for three more seasons (if he doesn't opt out of his final two years next winter). Getting out from under at least one of those contracts—Chapman's would arguably be most preferable—is going to be the offseason goal for a team that has made the postseason just once in the past decade.