The MLB postseason has been whittled down to four teams still in contention for a World Series title in 2026, while the league’s other 26 clubs have already turned their attention to next year. The upcoming free-agent class is thin behind ace Tarik Skubal, which could lead to a busier offseason of wheeling and dealing on the trade market. The looming CBA negotiations and an expected lockout, however, add significant uncertainty about what the offseason will look like.
Assuming something resembling a traditional offseason takes place, here are the top 25 potential trade chips likely to move. The list mixes speculative trade candidates with players whose names have already surfaced on the rumour mill. The likelihood of a trade narrowed the field to 25 names, while remaining years of control, salary commitments and expected 2027 impact determined where each player landed in the rankings.
Nos. 25-24
25. 3B Matt Chapman, San Francisco Giants (Age: 33)
Stats: 84 G, 97 OPS+, .235/.324/.368, 26 XBH (7 HR), 2.7 WAR
Contract: 4 years, $100.7M remaining
While Rafael Devers, Willy Adames and Jung Hoo Lee are generally viewed as unavailable or immovable, Chapman is the one high-priced veteran the Giants might be able to flip. The club could use last year’s Nolan Arenado trade as a blueprint of sorts. Chapman required season-ending core muscle and hernia surgery in August, but he is expected to be ready for the start of next season.
24. 2B Ozzie Albies, Atlanta Braves (Age: 29)
Stats: 162 G, 87 OPS+, .237/.293/.392, 50 XBH (22 HR), 1.4 WAR
Contract: $7M club option for 2027
Albies has spent his entire 10-year career with the Braves, accumulating 25.7 WAR, earning four All-Star selections and winning two Silver Slugger awards. He continued to show surface-level power this year, but he has posted an 88 OPS+ and a .299 on-base percentage across 1,350 plate appearances over the last two seasons. Atlanta could be ready to move on as part of a larger retooling.
Nos. 23-22
23. SP Griffin Jax, Tampa Bay Rays (Age: 31)
Stats: 34/23 G/GS, 3.53 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 116 K, 112.1 IP, 0.7 WAR
Contract: Arbitration through 2027 (’27 projected: $5.7M)
After four seasons as one of baseball’s elite setup relievers, Jax moved into the Rays rotation in his first full season with Tampa Bay, which acquired him in a 2025 deadline deal for Taj Bradley. He posted a 3.14 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP and 106 strikeouts in 103.2 innings across 23 starts. Tampa Bay has a habit of shopping pitchers with climbing arbitration salaries, and Jax fits that profile.
22. SP Michael Wacha, Kansas City Royals (Age: 35)
Stats: 32 GS, 3.32 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 158 K, 200.2 IP, 4.3 WAR
Contract: 1 year, $14M remaining, $14M club option in 2028
No team met the Royals’ asking price for Wacha at the deadline, but Kansas City could shop him more aggressively this winter. He is a reasonably priced veteran starter coming off an All-Star campaign. The 14-year veteran led the American League with 200.2 innings pitched, and his 4.3 WAR was a career-high mark.
Nos. 21-20
21. 2B Xavier Edwards, Miami Marlins (Age: 27)
Stats: 142 G, 108 OPS+, .280/.360/.371, 29 XBH (6 HR), 3.0 WAR
Contract: Arbitration through 2029 (’27 projected: $3.5M)
Edwards was one of only 11 qualified hitters with a walk rate above 10 percent and a strikeout rate below 15 percent. He batted .321 with runners in scoring position and stole 21 bases in 26 attempts. He also played solid defence at second base after shifting over from shortstop midway through the 2025 season. The Marlins listened to offers for him and shortstop Otto Lopez at the deadline. Given Lopez’s steep asking price, Edwards is the more likely trade chip.
20. RP Trevor Megill, Milwaukee Brewers (Age: 32)
Stats: 63 G, 30 SV, 2.63 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 10.1 K/9, 1.8 WAR
Contract: Arbitration through 2027 (’27 projected: $8.0M)
Megill’s fastball touches triple digits, and his knuckle curve generated a 46.5 percent whiff rate. He converted 30 of 33 save chances, establishing himself as one of baseball’s most dominant closers. Over the past three seasons, he has posted a 2.61 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP and a 10.4 K/9, along with 81 saves in 161 appearances. Milwaukee has a history of flipping closers before they become expensive, having traded Josh Hader and Devin Williams.
Nos. 19-18
19. SP Shane McClanahan, Tampa Bay Rays (Age: 29)
Stats: 24 GS, 3.36 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 106 K, 118.0 IP, 1.4 WAR
Contract: Arbitration through 2027 (’27 projected: $6.6M)
The Rays had only four players earning more than $6 million in 2026, and they carried the fourth-lowest payroll in the majors. That makes McClanahan an obvious trade chip ahead of his final year of arbitration. The two-time All-Star pitched well in his return from a 2025 season lost to Tommy John surgery. He owns a 3.10 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP and 562 strikeouts in 522.2 career innings.
18. SP George Kirby, Seattle Mariners (Age: 28)
Stats: 30 GS, 4.33 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 148 K, 174.2 IP, 1.4 WAR
Contract: Arbitration through 2028 (’27 projected: $9.8M)
Even after shedding Luis Castillo’s salary at the trade deadline, Seattle still has a good chance to shop one of its starting pitchers this winter in search of offensive upgrades. Kirby has two years of club control remaining and endured a down year in 2026, which makes him the least likely of the three Mariners starters on this list to be moved. He still carries significant value.
Nos. 17-16
17. 2B Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks (Age: 32)
Stats: 141 G, 107 OPS+, .249/.316/.432, 56 XBH (22 HR), 2.5 WAR
Contract: 4 years, $77.8M remaining, $11.5M player option in 2031
Marte has 10-and-5 rights, so he can veto any trade. Off-the-field turmoil during the 2026 season suggests he may be looking for a change of scenery. Even in a down year by his standards, he remained one of the best offensive second basemen in the league.
16. SP Jacob deGrom, Texas Rangers (Age: 38)
Stats: 31 GS, 4.20 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 201 K, 162.2 IP, 1.7 WAR
Contract: 1 year, $37M remaining
The Rangers reportedly asked deGrom to waive his full no-trade clause at the deadline, but he declined. That does not mean he will hold that position if Texas starts retooling this offseason. He is entering the final season of his five-year, $185 million deal, and the contract is not the hurdle it would have been a year or two ago.
Nos. 15-14
15. SS Corey Seager, Texas Rangers (Age: 32)
Stats: 102 G, 112 OPS+, .227/.312/.424, 36 XBH (20 HR), 3.2 WAR
Contract: 5 years, $157.5M remaining
A $31.5 million annual salary over the next five seasons, combined with a lengthy injury history, will make it difficult for Texas to move Seager. He remains a star-level performer when healthy, however, and a thin shortstop class in free agency will push teams towards the trade market. A club unwilling to pay the steep price for players such as Zach Neto or Otto Lopez could consider absorbing Seager’s salary at a lower acquisition cost.
14. 3B Isaac Paredes, Houston Astros (Age: 27)
Stats: 155 G, 127 OPS+, .262/.360/.447, 53 XBH (25 HR), 4.0 WAR
Contract: $13.4M club option in 2027
Houston stands at an interesting crossroads. Its starting rotation needs rebuilding, aging stars Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa are still on the roster, and Paredes and Jeremy Peña are two key bats nearing free agency. A larger rebuild would make sense, but even a simple retool leaves Paredes as a logical trade candidate, given the infield logjam and his one remaining year of control.
Nos. 13-12
13. OF Steven Kwan, Cleveland Guardians (Age: 29)
Stats: 151 G, 110 OPS+, .282/.382/.349, 27 XBH (3 HR), 5.3 WAR
Contract: Arbitration through 2027 (’27 projected: $11.3M)
Kwan was Cleveland’s third-highest-paid player in 2026 with a $7.725 million salary, and that figure is projected to climb well north of $10 million next season. The Guardians operate with one of the lowest payrolls in baseball, and Kwan has been a speculative trade candidate for years. Ahead of his final year of control, moving him would fit the organisation’s philosophy. The emergence of Chase DeLauter and the addition of Jo Adell have also improved the outfield picture in Cleveland.
12. SP Emerson Hancock, Seattle Mariners (Age: 27)
Stats: 25 GS, 3.57 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 126 K, 138.2 IP, 2.7 WAR
Contract: Arbitration through 2030 (’27 projected: minimum)
Seen as Seattle’s No. 6 starter entering the year, Hancock earned an Opening Day rotation spot when Bryce Miller was sidelined by injury. The former No. 6 overall pick seized the opportunity, posting a 2.59 ERA in 41.2 innings over his first seven starts, and he kept his rotation place for the rest of the season. His four remaining years of control make him significantly more valuable than his surface-level track record suggests.
Nos. 11-10
11. SP Reid Detmers, Los Angeles Angels (Age: 27)
Stats: 32 GS, 3.36 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 211 K, 185.0 IP, 4.2 WAR
Contract: Arbitration through 2028 (’27 projected: $7.5M)
Detmers pitched strongly out of the Angels bullpen in 2025 after a 6.70 ERA over 17 starts the previous year, earning him another shot in the rotation. He finished in the top 10 in the American League in strikeouts (211, 4th), innings pitched (185.0, 6th) and pitcher WAR (4.2, 8th). His value may never be higher, and the Angels, coming off a 100-loss season and long overdue for a rebuild, could decide to cash it in.
10. SP Logan Gilbert, Seattle Mariners (Age: 29)
Stats: 32 GS, 3.73 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 205 K, 186.0 IP, 3.3 WAR
Contract: Arbitration through 2027 (’27 projected: $15.4M)
Extension talks have made little progress, and free agency approaches quickly after the 2027 season. If the Mariners decide to cash in one of their rotation trade chips, Gilbert could sit at the top of the list. Over the past five seasons, he has been one of baseball’s most consistent starters, posting a 3.46 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP while averaging 192 strikeouts and 180 innings per year.
Nos. 9-8
9. SP Joe Ryan, Minnesota Twins (Age: 30)
Stats: 27 GS, 3.79 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 159 K, 144.2 IP, 2.1 WAR
Contract: Arbitration through 2027 (’27 projected: $9.6M)
The Twins avoided arbitration with Ryan last January and added a $13 million mutual option for 2027 to the books. The club will almost certainly pay the $100,000 buyout on that option in favour of a considerably lower arbitration projection. Ryan could still end up on another club’s books if Minnesota takes another step towards rebuilding. The Twins clung tightly to Byron Buxton and Ryan as building blocks a year ago, but after a 29-36 second half and a second straight losing season, bigger changes could be coming.
8. SS Jeremy Peña, Houston Astros (Age: 29)
Stats: 112 G, 124 OPS+, .277/.325/.477, 43 XBH (22 HR), 3.7 WAR
Contract: Arbitration through 2027 (’27 projected: $13.1M)
When Peña hired Scott Boras as his agent in June 2025, the chances of a long-term extension before he reached the open market dropped considerably for Houston. A wide-open AL West convinced the Astros to avoid selling at the deadline. Even if they see themselves as contenders in 2027, flipping Peña before losing him in free agency could still be on the table.
Nos. 7-6
7. C William Contreras, Milwaukee Brewers (Age: 28)
Stats: 147 G, 108 OPS+, .270/.341/.417, 46 XBH (18 HR), 2.9 WAR
Contract: $14.5M club option in 2027
Milwaukee has made a habit of trading star players as they approach free agency, including Josh Hader, Corbin Burnes, Devin Williams and Freddy Peralta. That history places Contreras in the trade conversation, particularly if the club views former top prospect Jeferson Quero as a viable in-house replacement.
6. C Shea Langeliers, Athletics (Age: 28)
Stats: 106 G, 118 OPS+, .262/.328/.474, 44 XBH (23 HR), 3.4 WAR
Contract: Arbitration through 2028 (’27 projected: $8.7M)
Langeliers started the 2026 All-Star Game and carried an .807 OPS and 21 home runs into the break. A torn meniscus in his right knee limited him to 20 games during the second half, but he returned for 13 games in September to show potential suitors that he is healthy. Oakland has locked up several members of its young offensive core in recent years, but Langeliers has not been among them. He could be the piece the club flips to upgrade one of baseball’s worst rotations.
Nos. 5-4
5. C Hunter Goodman, Colorado Rockies (Age: 27)
Stats: 138 G, 115 OPS+, .245/.310/.529, 63 XBH (41 HR), 2.6 WAR
Contract: Arbitration through 2029 (’27 projected: $6.2M)
Only seven players in baseball have hit more home runs over the past two seasons than Goodman, who has 72. His 41 long balls this year were tied for third on the National League leaderboard with Braves slugger Matt Olson. He actually posted significantly better numbers on the road (.882 OPS, 25 HR) than at home (.791 OPS, 16 HR), so Coors Field is not inflating an otherwise average performer. He has also developed into a serviceable defender behind the plate, though his bat will always drive his value.
After a fourth straight 100-loss season, nothing should be off the table as Colorado explores ways to improve. The asking price will be high given his remaining control, but Goodman may be the most impactful power bat on the market.
4. SS Zach Neto, Los Angeles Angels (Age: 25)
Stats: 157 G, 118 OPS+, .239/.330/.436, 63 XBH (27 HR), 5.2 WAR
Contract: Arbitration through 2029 (’27 projected: $9.8M)
Neto has recorded three straight seasons of 20 home runs, 20 steals and 5.0 WAR, and he has developed into one of the best all-around shortstops in baseball. He rarely receives the attention he deserves, however, because he plays for a franchise that has banked 11 consecutive losing seasons. The Angels took a step towards retooling at the deadline by trading controllable pieces, including José Soriano, Jo Adell and Ryan Zeferjahn. They kept their two most valuable trade chips, Neto and left-hander Reid Detmers. Los Angeles’ status as a perennial also-ran, paired with its newfound willingness to move controllable pieces, should make Neto one of the most discussed trade candidates of the winter.
Nos. 3-2
3. RP Mason Miller, San Diego Padres (Age: 28)
Stats: 66 G, 38 SV, 1.67 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 16.6 K/9, 3.1 WAR
Contract: Arbitration through 2029 (’27 projected: $8.1M)
San Diego teetered between buying and selling before the 2026 trade deadline. Miller was discussed as one of the top players who could move before the Padres committed to buying and added Casey Mize and Robbie Ray. With Adrián Morejón and Jason Adam potentially departing in free agency, the Padres will be hesitant to deal their All-Star closer. His value is so high, however, that they would be unwise not to at least listen to offers. San Diego needed an elite prospect, Leo De Vries, to pry Miller loose from Oakland. If a similar offer arrives, or a team is willing to part with a controllable starting pitcher, he could move again.
2. SS CJ Abrams, Washington Nationals (Age: 26)
Stats: 152 G, 127 OPS+, .261/.336/.497, 67 XBH (33 HR), 5.1 WAR
Contract: Arbitration through 2028 (’27 projected: $10.2M)
Washington finished among the National League leaders in runs scored (821, 3rd), home runs (210, 6th) and OPS (.744, 3rd), and a breakout season from Abrams helped drive those figures. After posting a 109 OPS+, 19 home runs and 31 steals in 2025, he elevated his game to another level. He recorded the first 30/30 season of his career and 106 RBIs, which ranked fourth in the National League. The Nationals flipped starter MacKenzie Gore last winter while still trying to build back towards contention. They could do the same with Abrams if the right package of talent improves their long-term outlook enough to justify moving an increasingly expensive star.
No. 1
1. OF Ronald Acuña Jr., Atlanta Braves (Age: 28)
Stats: 107 G, 118 OPS+, .255/.345/.451, 39 XBH (20 HR), 1.9 WAR
Contract: $17M club option in 2027 and 2028
Fans booed Acuña loudly as he grounded out to end the seventh inning of Game 4 of the NLDS, stranding a runner on second base and leaving his playoff line at 3-for-24 with no RBIs. Will that be his final at-bat in a Braves uniform?
The 2023 NL MVP and face of the franchise had a good-not-great 2026 season. Atlanta then removed the Braves from his Instagram account immediately after the team was eliminated from the playoffs, which fuelled speculation that a split could be on the horizon this winter. His contract adds to his value rather than subtracting from it, as is the case with some other players on this list, given a pair of reasonable $17 million club options for the next two seasons. The asking price will be astronomical, but the return could be one of the 10 best players in the sport if he locks in and returns to peak-level production.
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