The MLB postseason has been whittled down to four teams still chasing a World Series title in 2026, while the league’s other 26 clubs have already turned their attention to next year. The thin free-agent market behind ace Tarik Skubal could fuel a busy offseason of trades. The looming CBA negotiations and an expected lockout, however, leave considerable doubt about what the winter 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 candidates with players whose names have already surfaced in trade talk. The likelihood that a player is traded determined the final 25 names, while remaining years of control, salary commitments and expected 2027 impact shaped their 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.
Rafael Devers, Willy Adames and Jung Hoo Lee are generally viewed as unavailable or immovable, which leaves Chapman as the one high-priced veteran the Giants might be able to flip. Last year’s Nolan Arenado trade could serve as a 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 still produced surface-level power this season, but he has posted an 88 OPS+ and a .299 on-base percentage across 1,350 plate appearances over the last two years. 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, after arriving in a 2025 deadline deal that sent Taj Bradley away. He posted a 3.14 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 106 strikeouts in 103.2 innings over 23 starts. Tampa Bay has a habit of shopping pitchers whose arbitration salaries are climbing, which puts Jax firmly on the radar.
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 club 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.
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, stole 21 bases in 26 attempts and played solid defence at second base after shifting over from shortstop midway through the 2025 season. Miami listened to offers for him and shortstop Otto Lopez at the deadline. Given Lopez’s steep asking price, Edwards looks like the more likely chip to move.
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, making him one of baseball’s most dominant closers. Over the past three seasons, he has posted a 2.61 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 10.4 K/9, 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 their payroll ranked fourth-lowest 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, 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 pursuit of offensive upgrades. Kirby has two years of club control remaining and endured a down year in 2026. That makes him the least likely of the three Mariners starters on this list to go, but 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. Enough off-the-field turmoil occurred this season, however, to suggest he might want 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, and he declined. That does not mean he will refuse if Texas starts retooling this offseason. He enters the final season of his five-year, $185 million deal, and his contract is not 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.
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 a player 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.
Houston stands at an interesting crossroads. Its starting rotation needs rebuilding, aging stars Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa are still around, and two key bats, Paredes and Jeremy Peña, are closing in on free agency. A larger rebuild would make sense, but even a simple retool could make Paredes 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, earning $7.725 million, and his salary 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. With his final year of control approaching, flipping him would fit the organisation’s philosophy. The emergence of Chase DeLauter and the addition of Jo Adell have also improved Cleveland’s outfield picture.
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).
Seattle viewed Hancock as its No. 6 starter entering the year, but 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 in 41.2 innings over his first seven starts, and he kept his rotation spot the rest of the way. His four remaining years of control make him far more valuable than his surface-level track record might suggest.
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 posted a strong season out of the Angels bullpen in 2025, following a 6.70 ERA over 17 starts the year before, and that performance earned him another shot in the 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 may never be higher, particularly for a team that followed 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 (’27 projected: $15.4M).
Extension talks have made little progress, and free agency approaches quickly after the 2027 season. That could put Gilbert at the top of the list if Seattle decides to cash in on one of its rotation trade chips. Over the past five seasons, he has been one of baseball’s most consistent starters, logging a 3.46 ERA and 1.05 WHIP while averaging 192 strikeouts and 180 innings a 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).
Minnesota avoided arbitration with Ryan last January and added a $13 million mutual option for 2027 to the books. The club will almost certainly pay a $100,000 buyout on that option in favour of a considerably lower arbitration projection. Ryan could still end up on another team’s books if the Twins take a further step towards rebuilding. Minnesota 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 likelihood of a long-term extension before he reached the open market dropped considerably for Houston. A wide-open AL West led the Astros to avoid selling at the deadline. Even if they view themselves as contenders in 2027, trading 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.
The Brewers have a habit of trading star players as they approach free agency, with Josh Hader, Corbin Burnes, Devin Williams and Freddy Peralta among the recent examples. That history puts Contreras in the trade conversation, particularly if Milwaukee believes former top prospect Jeferson Quero is 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 in the second half, but he returned for 13 games in September to show potential suitors 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 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 (’27 projected: $6.2M).
Only seven players in baseball have hit more home runs over the past two seasons than the 72 Goodman has slugged. His 41 long balls this year tied him for third on the National League leaderboard with Braves slugger Matt Olson.
Goodman 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, Colorado should consider nothing off the table as it explores ways 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 (’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 several controllable pieces, including José Soriano, Jo Adell and Ryan Zeferjahn. They held onto their two most valuable trade chips, Neto and left-hander Reid Detmers. A perennial also-ran with a newfound willingness to move controllable pieces should make Neto one of the most discussed trade candidates of the winter.
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 toed the line between buying and selling before the 2026 trade deadline. Miller was talked about 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. Still, his value is so high that they would be silly not to at least listen to offers. San Diego needed an elite prospect in Leo De Vries to pry him loose from the Athletics, and if a similar offer arrives, or 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 (’27 projected: $10.2M).
Washington finished among the MLB leaders in runs scored (821, third), home runs (210, sixth) and OPS (.744, third), and a breakout season from Abrams helped drive those numbers. After posting a 109 OPS+ with 19 home runs and 31 steals in 2025, he reached another level with the first 30/30 season of his career and 106 RBI, 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.
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. He stranded a runner on second base, and his playoff line dropped to 3-for-24 with no RBI. 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. He quickly removed the Braves from his Instagram account after Atlanta was eliminated from the playoffs, which fuelled speculation that a split could come this winter.
Two reasonable $17 million club options for the next two seasons add to his value rather than subtracting from it, as is the case with some other players on this list. 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.