Four teams remain in contention for the 2026 World Series title, while the league’s other 26 clubs have already turned their attention to next season. The thin free-agent class behind ace Tarik Skubal could push teams toward a busier offseason on the trade market. However, looming CBA negotiations and an expected lockout make it unclear what the offseason will look like.
Assuming a traditional offseason takes place, we have identified the top 25 potential trade chips likely to move. The list mixes speculative trade candidates with players whose names have already surfaced in trade rumors. We weighed the likelihood that each player is traded, along with remaining years of control, salary commitments and expected 2027 impact when ranking them.
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
The Giants may view Chapman as the one high-priced veteran they can move. Rafael Devers, Willy Adames and Jung Hoo Lee are generally considered unavailable or immovable, but San Francisco could use last year’s Nolan Arenado trade as a rough blueprint. Chapman underwent 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 deliver 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 from him 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 (2027 projected: $5.7M)
Jax spent four seasons as one of baseball’s elite setup relievers before moving into the Rays rotation in his first full season with Tampa Bay. The Rays acquired him in a 2025 deadline deal that sent Taj Bradley to the Brewers. Over 103.2 innings in 23 starts, he posted a 3.14 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP and 106 strikeouts. Tampa Bay has a habit of shopping pitchers whose arbitration salaries are climbing, which makes Jax a likely candidate to move.
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 who just completed 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.
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 (2027 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. After moving over from shortstop midway through the 2025 season, he played solid defense at second base. The Marlins listened to offers for him and shortstop Otto Lopez at the deadline. Because Lopez’s asking price was extremely high, Edwards appears to be 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 (2027 projected: $8.0M)
Megill throws a fastball that touches triple digits and a knuckle curve that 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 10.4 K/9 with 81 saves in 161 appearances. The Brewers have a history of trading closers before they become expensive, having moved Josh Hader and Devin Williams in the past.
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 (2027 projected: $6.6M)
Only four Rays players earned salaries above $6 million in 2026, and the club 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 returned well 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 (2027 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 pursuit of offensive upgrades. Kirby has two years of club control remaining, but he had a down year in 2026. He is the least likely of the three Mariners starters on this list to be traded, yet 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, which means he can veto any trade. Still, enough off-the-field turmoil occurred during the 2026 season to suggest he might want a change of scenery. Even in a down year by his standards, he remained one of the league’s best offensive second basemen.
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, and he declined. That does not mean he will refuse if Texas begins retooling this offseason. He enters the final season of his five-year, $185 million deal, and his contract will not be the obstacle 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
Seager earns $31.5 million annually over the next five seasons, and his lengthy injury history will make him difficult for Texas to move. Still, he remains a star-level performer when healthy. With a thin shortstop class in free agency, teams will turn to the trade market. A club unwilling to pay the steep price for players like 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
The Astros stand at a crossroads. Their starting rotation needs a rebuild, aging stars Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa are declining, and two key bats, Paredes and Jeremy Peña, are approaching free agency. A larger rebuild would make sense, but even a simple retool could make Paredes a logical trade candidate. Houston has an infield logjam and he has only 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 (2027 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 above $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. With his final year of control approaching, trading him would fit the organization’s philosophy. The emergence of Chase DeLauter and the addition of Jo Adell have also strengthened Cleveland’s outfield.
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 (2027 projected: minimum)
Seattle viewed Hancock as its No. 6 starter entering the year. He earned a spot in the Opening Day rotation when Bryce Miller was sidelined by injury. The former No. 6 overall pick seized the opportunity, posting a 2.59 ERA over 41.2 innings in his first seven starts, and he kept his rotation spot the rest of the way. With four years of control remaining, he holds far more value 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 (2027 projected: $7.5M)
Detmers followed a 6.70 ERA over 17 starts in 2024 with a strong season out of the Angels bullpen in 2025. That performance earned him another chance in the starting rotation. He finished in the top 10 in the American League in strikeouts (211, fourth), innings pitched (185.0, sixth) and pitcher WAR (4.2, eighth). His value could never be higher for a team that just endured a 100-loss season and is long overdue for a rebuild.
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 (2027 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 on 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 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 (2027 projected: $9.6M)
Minnesota avoided arbitration with Ryan last January and also added a $13 million mutual option for 2027 to its books. The club will almost certainly pay the $100,000 buyout on that option in exchange for a significantly lower arbitration projection. Ryan could still land on another team’s books if the Twins take another step toward rebuilding. Minnesota clung tightly to Byron Buxton and Ryan as building blocks a year ago, but a 29-36 second half and a second straight losing season could prompt bigger changes.
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 (2027 projected: $13.1M)
Peña hired Scott Boras as his agent in June 2025, which sharply reduced the chances that Houston would sign him to a long-term extension before he reached the open market. A wide-open AL West led the Astros to avoid selling at the deadline. Even if they see themselves as contenders in 2027, Houston could still consider trading Peña before he reaches free agency.
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
The Brewers have made a habit of trading star players as they approach free agency. Josh Hader, Corbin Burnes, Devin Williams and Freddy Peralta are notable recent examples. That history puts Contreras in the trade conversation, especially if Milwaukee believes former top prospect Jeferson Quero can serve 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 (2027 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 in 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 one of them. He could be the piece the Athletics flip to upgrade one of baseball’s worst rotations.
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 (2027 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 homers this year tied him for third in the National League with Braves slugger Matt Olson.
Goodman posted considerably 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 performance. 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, Colorado should consider every option as it looks to improve. The asking price will be high given his remaining control, but he 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 (2027 projected: $9.8M)
Neto has recorded three straight seasons of 20 home runs, 20 steals and 5.0 WAR. He has developed into one of baseball’s best all-around shortstops, yet he rarely receives the attention he deserves while playing for a franchise that has endured 11 consecutive losing seasons.
The Angels took a step toward retooling at the deadline by trading several controllable pieces, including José Soriano, Jo Adell and Ryan Zeferjahn. However, they held onto their two most valuable trade chips, Neto and left-hander Reid Detmers.
Los Angeles’ status as a perennial also-ran and its newfound willingness to move controllable players 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 (2027 projected: $8.1M)
San Diego walked a fine line between buying and selling before the 2026 trade deadline. Miller was discussed as one of the top players who could be moved, but the Padres committed to buying and added Casey Mize and Robbie Ray instead.
With Adrián Morejón and Jason Adam potentially departing in free agency, the Padres will be hesitant to trade their All-Star closer. Still, his value is so high that they would be foolish not to at least listen to offers.
San Diego needed an elite prospect in Leo De Vries to pry Miller loose from Oakland. If a similar offer arrives, or if a team is willing to part with a controllable starting pitcher, Miller 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 (2027 projected: $10.2M)
Washington finished among the MLB leaders in runs scored (821, third), home runs (210, sixth) and OPS (.744, third). A breakout season from Abrams helped drive those numbers.
After posting a 109 OPS+ with 19 home runs and 31 steals in 2025, Abrams elevated his game further. He recorded the first 30/30 season of his career and drove in 106 runs, which ranked fourth in the National League.
The Nationals traded starter MacKenzie Gore last winter while still working to build back toward contention. They could do the same with Abrams if a package of talent significantly improves their long-term outlook and justifies 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 Ronald Acuña Jr. after he grounded out to end the seventh inning of Game 4 of the NLDS. He stranded a runner on second base, leaving his playoff line at 3-for-24 with zero RBI.
Will that be his final at-bat in a Braves uniform?
The 2023 NL MVP and face of the franchise had a good-but-not-great 2026 season. Shortly after Atlanta’s elimination from the playoffs, he removed the Braves from his Instagram account, which fueled speculation that a split could come this winter.
Two reasonable $17 million club options for the next two seasons make his contract an asset rather than a liability, unlike some other players on this list. His asking price will be astronomical, but a return to peak-level production could make him one of the 10 best players in the sport.