The MLB offseason has arrived. With the Los Angeles Dodgers finally not winning the World Series, and with smaller-market teams that have built internally, like the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Bucks, having competed for the title of champion, every team has a greater sense of optimism going forward.
Of course, teams are contemplating which free agents they should sign to bolster their roster. However, this year's free agent crop isn't the strongest. Luckily, there is a surplus of talent on the trading block. Making trades has proven to be a necessity for competing at the highest level. The Brewers, for example, added players like Bo Naylor, Antonio Senzatela, JoJo Romero, Dustin May, Codi Heuer, Colton Gordon, and Lance McCullers Jr. at the trade deadline. Milwaukee has typically been a frugal franchise that hasn't always been willing to go all in, but even they realized how important adding talent through the trade market can be. So, who are the best MLB trade candidates this offseason?
20. Jake McCarthy, Colorado Rockies, OF
Jake McCarthy isn't a superstar talent like many of the top MLB trade candidates this offseason, but he had some seriously explosive plays last season, including a game in which he had a leadoff homer, a grand slam, and a stolen base. The Rockies have too many outfielders and may need to consolidate this winter. They've got tons of minor leaguers that they need to give a chance to, and veterans role players are vulnerable to being traded. McCarthy could bring juice to another team's offense without a big-time investment.
19. Hunter Greene, Cincinnati Reds, SP
The Cincinnati Reds were devastated to learn that Hunter Greene needed Tommy John surgery for the second time in his career. The pitcher with triple digits gas has shown true ace capabilities, but the Reds might not be able to sit on his salary for a season in which he won't be able to play.
Now, trading for Greene won't make sense for a lot of teams because of the fact that he'll be sidelined in 2027, but if there is a team that can eat his salary for a year, they would be rewarded with an elite player likely at a discounted trade rate.
18. Teoscar Hernandez, Los Angeles Dodgers, OF
The Los Angeles Dodgers have far and away the most expensive payroll in baseball. That doesn't mean they need to cut costs, though. The team has shown a willingness to pay whatever it takes to sign or trade for the very best players. Just last offseason, the team signed arguably the best batter (Kyle Tucker) and best reliever (Edwin Diaz) in free agency, and they made a trade deadline move for Tarik Skubal. The pitcher who has a claim as the best starter in the sport is a free agent this offseason, and it would come as no surprise if Los Angeles re-signed him.
The point is, the Dodgers don't need to trade Teoscar Hernandez from a financial standpoint, but if anyone were to be moved from their incredibly deep roster, it would likely be the aging outfielder. The Dodgers have a bunch of outfield prospects ready to make a big league impact, including Josue De Paula, Eduardo Quintero, and Mike Sirota.
17. Jarren Duran, Boston Red Sox, OF
The Boston Red Sox have an outfield logjam that may lead to Jarren Duran being traded this winter. While his 20-20 season this year was far from pretty, evidenced by Duran's .207 batting average, he is someone who has proven to have a solid speed-power combination. He is still MLB's best triples getter, too.
The Red Sox are sure to prioritize Wilyer Abreu, Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell, and Ceddanne Rafaela, so Duran could be a great buy-low candidate for outfield-needy teams.
16. Isaac Paredes, Houston Astros, 3B
The Houston Astros have a lot of infielders. Jose Altuve is back at second base, Jeremy Pena is still the shortstop, and Carlos Correa rejoined the team last year. Plus, Christian Walker holds down first base. This depth could lead to the team trading away third baseman Isaac Paredes, a good player who was important to the team while they were riddled with injuries last year, but one who could struggle to find the playing time that he deserves if everybody is healthy.
Because of Houston's ability to diagnose and develop young talent, they may be smart to move some of their veterans and reset their core. Doing so may be the quickest way for the Astros to get back into contention. If not, the Astros risk staying in mediocrity over the coming years.
15. Otto Lopez, Miami Marlins, SS
Otto Lopez had a breakout season for the Miami Marlins. He led the NL with 191 hits and is under team control for years to come, meaning he holds immense trade value for a team that lingered around .500 last season. The Marlins could try to contend, but they have also shown a tendency to trade controllable middle infielders in recent years. It wasn't that long ago that they departed from Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Luis Arraez. On top of Lopez, the Marlins could look into trading his middle infielding partner in crime, Xavier Edwards.
14. Steven Kwan, Cleveland Guardians, OF
Steven Kwan struggled down the stretch in 2025 before a disastrous slump to begin 2026. Combine that with little career power production, and it seemed like the outfielder was on his way out of the league. Then during the back half of the 2026 season, Kwan reminded everyone the kind of player he is.
That is one of a great teammate and a premier contact hitter and defender. Kwan hit .352 from the start of July onward. He also earned a Gold Glove in four of his first five seasons. Kwan will be headed to free agency in 2027, so the Cleveland Guardians could very well look to deal him.
13. C.J. Abrams, Washington Nationals, 2B
C.J. Abrams is getting better and better at the plate. He set career highs in home runs (33), RBIs (106), batting average (.261), and just about every other stat last season after moving from shortstop to second base. Even when the Washington Nationals embraced a recent full-blown rebuild, they opted against moving Abrams. At some point, though, a team may offer a package that they just can't turn down.
Abrams is still only 26 years old, and he has two All-Star nods to his name. He originally came to Washington by way of the Juan Soto trade that was certainly a blockbuster. Perhaps Abrams could net a similarly massive trade return.
12. George Kirby, Seattle Mariners, SP
Fans have long wondered if the Seattle Mariners would utilize their starting pitcher surplus to make upgrades elsewhere on the roster. The team had six legitimate high-level rotation options for a five man group last year before they traded Luis Castillo. Now, they have the same problem again after promoting Kade Anderson.
Any of Emerson Hancock, Logan Gilbert, or George Kirby could be moved if it means adding offensive help. Kirby seems like the most likely option, as his ERA was the worst of that trio last season.
11. Joe Ryan, Minnesota Twins, SP
The Minnesota Twins were aggressive sellers two years ago when they traded away nearly everyone of note. They held onto Joe Ryan, though, but the starting pitcher has remained a trade candidate ever since. Ryan has now made back-to-back All-Star Games and is an established, high-upside number two.
The right-handed pitcher has five straight seasons above 135 innings pitched. His ERA has been below 4.00 for everyone season but one during that stretch, too.
10. Jacob deGrom, Texas Rangers, SP
Jacob deGrom has looked like his old self just in time to emerge in trade rumors. The pitcher won back-to-back Cy Young awards way back in 2018 and 2019. Then, he was unable to toss 100 innings in any season for five straight years. DeGrom has gotten back on track with 172.2 and 162.2-inning seasons over the last two years.
Now, deGrom isn't his Cy Young self these days, and he'll be 39 years old next season. The five-time All-Star has a proven track record and an understanding on how to win games, though. The problem is deGrom has a no-trade clause in his contract. He vetoed trade talks to a good Atlanta Braves team, and if he didn't want to leave Texas for there, he may not want to leave at all.
9. Jeremy Pena, Houston Astros, SS
The Houston Astros made seven straight ALCS appearances from 2017 to 2023, twice winning the World Series and appearing in it two more times during that stretch. However, Houston's dynasty appears to be over. The team missed the playoffs in 2025 and somehow snuck in with a .500 record that was worse than the year prior in 2026.
The organization has always been known for great player development, but their core is aging, and numerous players are set to hit free agency soon. That includes Jeremy Pena, who will be a free agent after the 2027 season. The shortstop was a later addition to the Astros' championship core, and considering contract extension talks haven't gone anywhere, it seems likely that he will be traded.
8. Zach Neto, Los Angeles Angels, SS
The Los Angeles Angels haven't won 80 games since 2018, yet they've refused to blow up the ship and trade their best players to improve their farm system. Just this past trade deadline, the team held onto most of their top players, including Zach Neto. The 25-year-old has lingered around 25 home runs in each of his three full seasons, and he has done it at the premier defensive position.
Now, the shortstop isn't elite defensively, but his offensive pop would play well at second base, too. While Neto just narrowly trails the trade candidates ahead of him on this list in terms of current talent, he may actually be the most sought after because of his youth and still improving game.
7. Reid Detmers, Los Angeles Angels, SP
Another Angels star who teams should be calling about is Reid Detmers. The pitcher tossed 185 innings last season. He was particularly dominant after the All-Star break. Detmers is entering his prime and could be at his best in the next season or two. He'd be a number two starter for almost any team interested in trading for him.
6. Hunter Goodman, Colorado Rockies, C
Are Hunter Goodman's numbers likely inflated by playing a mile above sea level? Yes. Is he still one of the most coveted players on the trading block? Also yes. Having such an elite offensive force from a backstop is a rarity, and while the Colorado Rockies could view Goodman as their franchise-building block, they could also be enticed by the massive trade package it would take to acquire the catcher, considering their rebuild is still years away from being completed.
Goodman hit 41 home runs this past season and was the Silver Slugger the year prior. Plus, Goodman is under team control for three more seasons. Power from a premier defensive position would be worth paying for.
5. Rafael Devers, San Francisco Giants, 1B
Article Continues BelowThe Boston Red Sox shocked the baseball world when they traded Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants. While he got off to a slow start with his new team, Devers has returned to his ways of smashing home runs with frequency. He hit 37 over the outfield wall last year.
However, the Giants haven't found as much success as they expected when they dealt for Devers, and they could be looking to move off of some of their big contracts. Now, trading Devers' contract, which runs through 2033, won't be the easiest thing, but there are only so many genuine superstars available in the trade market.
4. Corey Seager, Texas Rangers, SS
It might be now or never when it comes to trading Corey Seager for the Texas Rangers. The shortstop is 33 years old and still inked to a deal that pays him over $30 million a year through 2031. Seager already showed signs of regression last season. His .227 batting average was a career low.
Even so, Seager is still one of the top players at a premier position. Teams should still be interested in adding him, even knowing that his contract won't look all that pretty in a few years.
3. Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks, 2B
Things haven't been smooth sailing with Ketel Marte and the Arizona Diamondbacks recently. The second baseman no-showed a game last season and has failed to report even before that. He does have a no-trade clause, but based off the weirdness of his AWOL, it wouldn't be a surprise if Marte and the Diamondbacks wanted a fresh start.
If teams aren't worried about his maturity red flags, then Marte is certainly one of the most talented players in the league. He was third in NL MVP voting as recently as 2024. This past season was a down year for Marte, but he is still one of the best offensive second basemen in baseball. Marte batted .249 with 22 home runs this season. He was above .275 and 25 homers in each of the prior three seasons.
2. Mason Miller, San Diego Padres, RP
Mason Miller was involved in trade rumors leading up to the trade deadline. Ultimately, the San Diego Padres decided to hold onto their closer, but they are a team that has had a revolving doors with superstars in recent years, so it isn't out of the question that Miller will again enter the trading block.
Superstars currently on the roster include Miller, Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Jackson Merrill, and Xander Bogaerts. Players like Josh Hader, Juan Soto, Luis Arraez, Blake Snell, and Dylan Cease have joined and left the team in recent years, though. If the Padres view Miller as the next superstar they are ready to move on from, there will certainly be plenty of suitors.
Miller is the best reliever in baseball. His triple digits heater is unhittable, and Miller basically completely shuts down the ninth inning. The 2026 NL saves leader had a 1.67 ERA and 129 strikeouts this past season.
1. Elly De La Cruz, Cincinnati Reds, SS
Elly De La Cruz is one of the most electrifying players in MLB. If he were traded, the fanbase of his new team would be in for quite the treat. While some inexcusable errors are a part of the De La Cruz experience, the speed/power combination is the stuff of legend. De La Cruz has 90 home runs over the last four seasons and a 67-stolen-bases season to his name.
The shortstop is a freak of nature athlete. A 6-foot-6 player shouldn't be able to move like he does. De La Cruz is only 24 years old and still under contract for years to come, so the Cincinnati Reds shouldn't be in a rush to trade him, but it just seems unlikely that he'll be with this team forever.
The shortstop who looks like he is straight out of a video game is under team control through 2029. After that, his youth makes it likely that he'd get a huge payday for years to come after that.