The offseason is a busy time in Major League Baseball! At MLB Trade Rumors, our annual tradition of releasing the Top 50 Free Agent List with contract and team predictions for each player is eagerly awaited by fans. While free agency is a significant part of the offseason roster reconstruction, trades also play a crucial role in shaping teams for the upcoming season. Trades can be more challenging to predict as they involve valuing multiple players and are less dependent on past precedents.
Last offseason, we highlighted 25 trade candidates, and six of the top eight were ultimately traded, with a total of seven players from the list changing teams (and five more being traded during the 2024 season). This time around, we have expanded the list to 35 candidates, anticipating that several teams will have multiple players available for trade.
Teams like the White Sox, who are known for their active approach to the trade market, and the Cardinals, who are taking a step back and focusing on future development, are expected to make significant moves. The Rays and Rangers also have players who may be on the move due to various reasons, such as control windows, payroll considerations, and roster needs.
It’s important to note that our list is not a strict ranking of players or solely based on the likelihood of being traded. We aim to balance both factors in this subjective exercise. All projected salaries for arbitration-eligible players are provided by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz.
1. Garrett Crochet, a left-handed pitcher for the White Sox, is one of the most discussed trade candidates due to his performance and potential extension talks during the season. Despite injury setbacks, Crochet has shown promise as a high-profile arm with impressive stats and a team-friendly contract. Contenders across MLB will be interested in acquiring him this winter.
2. Ryan Helsley, a right-handed pitcher for the Cardinals, is another top trade candidate. With impressive numbers and controllability, Helsley is a valuable asset that is expected to be traded this offseason as part of the team’s restructuring.
3. Erick Fedde, a right-handed pitcher for the Cardinals, has reinvented himself after a successful stint in the Korea Baseball Organization. With a strong performance in 2024, Fedde is a sought-after starter who could generate a lot of interest in the trade market.
4. Devin Williams, a right-handed pitcher for the Brewers, is a trade candidate due to his talent and affordability for the final season of club control. Williams could bring a solid return in a trade, giving the Brewers financial flexibility and an opportunity to invest in other areas.
5. Yandy Diaz, a first baseman for the Rays, is a notable trade candidate with a significant contract for Tampa Bay. Diaz’s versatility and offensive improvement in 2024 make him an attractive option for teams in need of a first baseman.
6. Jesus Luzardo, a left-handed pitcher for the Marlins, is a trade candidate with a history of injuries. Despite health concerns, Luzardo’s performance and controllability make him a valuable asset that could command a good return in a trade.
7. Pete Fairbanks, a right-handed pitcher for the Rays, is another trade candidate due to injury risks and remaining control. Fairbanks’ high-quality performance and potential make him an attractive option for teams seeking bullpen help.
8. Josh Naylor, a first baseman for the Guardians, is a trade candidate with a projected salary for 2025. Naylor’s affordability and solid performance make him a valuable asset that could bring a return of young talent in a trade.
9. Aaron Civale, a right-handed pitcher for the Brewers, is a trade candidate with a projected salary for 2025. Civale’s performance and potential surplus value make him an appealing trade chip for the Brewers to acquire young talent and free up financial resources for other roster needs.
10. Nolan Arenado, a third baseman for the Cardinals, is a notable trade candidate with a significant contract. Arenado’s performance and defensive skills make him a valuable asset that could be traded to acquire young talent amid the team’s restructuring.
11. Sonny Gray, a right-handed pitcher for the Cardinals, is a trade candidate with a significant contract and a full no-trade clause. Gray’s performance and control make him an attractive option for teams seeking pitching help, despite the challenges of his contract and trade protection.
12. Willson Contreras, a catcher for the Cardinals, is a trade candidate with a significant contract and full no-trade rights. Contreras’ performance and value as a catcher make him an attractive option for teams in need of catching help, despite the challenges of his contract and trade protection.
13. Jorge Soler, a designated hitter for the Braves, is a trade candidate with a significant contract. Soler’s offensive skills and power make him an attractive option for teams seeking a designated hitter, despite defensive limitations.
14. Ryan Pressly, a right-handed pitcher for the Astros, is a trade candidate with a guaranteed contract. Pressly’s performance as a reliever and affordability make him a valuable asset that could be traded to free up payroll for other roster needs.
15. Christian Vazquez, a catcher for the Twins, is a trade candidate with a guaranteed contract. Vazquez’s offensive and defensive skills make him an appealing option for teams in need of catching help, despite his contract and projected salary for 2025.
16. Chris Paddack, a right-handed pitcher for the Twins, is a trade candidate with a guaranteed contract. Paddack’s performance and potential value make him an attractive trade chip for the Twins to acquire young talent and reshuffle their pitching staff.
17. Luis Arraez, a second baseman for the Padres, is a trade candidate with a significant contract. Arraez’s performance and versatility make him a valuable asset that could be traded to address other roster needs and acquire young talent.
18. Mike Yastrzemski, an outfielder for the Giants, is a trade candidate with a projected salary for 2025. Yastrzemski’s performance and trade value make him an attractive option for teams seeking outfield help, despite his struggles in the previous season.
19. David Bednar, a right-handed pitcher for the Pirates, is a trade candidate with a projected salary for 2025. Bednar’s performance and recent struggles make him a change-of-scenery candidate that could be traded to address other roster needs.
20. Brendan Donovan, an infielder/outfielder for the Cardinals, is a trade candidate with a projected salary for 2025. Donovan’s versatility and performance make him an appealing option for teams seeking a versatile player, despite his team control and affordability.
21. Nolan Gorman, a second baseman for the Cardinals, is a trade candidate with team control remaining. Despite his potential, Gorman’s lack of consistency and performance issues make him a candidate for a change of scenery that could benefit both him and the team.
22. Wilyer Abreu, an outfielder for the Red Sox, is a trade candidate with platoon concerns. Abreu’s offensive skills and defensive prowess make him an attractive option for teams seeking outfield help, despite concerns about his performance against left-handed pitchers.
23. Leody Taveras, an outfielder for the Rangers, is a trade candidate with a projected salary for 2025. Taveras’ offensive struggles and the team’s need for improvement make him an appealing trade chip that could bring in pitching help and financial flexibility for the team.
24. Nathaniel Lowe, a first baseman for the Rangers, is a trade candidate with a projected salary for 2025. Lowe’s consistent performance and affordability make him an attractive trade chip for the team to acquire young talent.
25. Chas McCormick, an outfielder for the Astros, is a trade candidate with a projected salary for 2025. McCormick’s struggles in the previous season make him a potential change-of-scenery candidate, despite his affordability and performance in the postseason.
26. Brett Baty, a third baseman for the Mets, is a trade candidate with multiple options for playing time. Baty’s versatility and offensive skills make him an appealing trade chip that could benefit both him and the team in acquiring young talent.
27. Eugenio Suarez, a third baseman for the D-backs, is a notable trade candidate with a significant contract. Suarez’s performance and potential trade value make him an attractive option for teams seeking infield help, despite concerns about his consistency.
28. Lane Thomas, an outfielder/DH for the Guardians, is a trade candidate with a projected salary for 2025. Thomas’ offensive struggles and defensive utility make him a potential candidate for a change of scenery, despite his postseason performance and previous success.
29. Cedric Mullins, an outfielder for the Orioles, is a trade candidate with a projected salary for 2025. Mullins’ performance and controllability make him an attractive trade chip for the team to acquire pitching help and financial flexibility for other roster needs.
30. Ryan Mountcastle, a first baseman for the Orioles, is a trade candidate with a projected salary for 2025. Mountcastle’s offensive skills and positional versatility make him an attractive trade chip for the team to acquire young talent and reshape the roster.
31. Brent Rooker, an outfielder/DH for the Athletics, is a trade candidate with a projected salary for 2025. Rooker’s offensive skills and potential make him an appealing trade chip for the team to acquire pitching help and financial flexibility for other roster needs.
32. Cody Bellinger, an outfielder/first baseman for the Cubs, is a trade candidate with a significant contract. Bellinger’s performance and potential trade value make him an attractive option for teams seeking a left-handed hitter, despite challenges related to his contract and potential opt-out.
33. Jordan Montgomery, a left-handed pitcher for the D-backs, is a trade candidate with a player option for 2025. Montgomery’s performance and contract may lead to a trade, despite public comments from the team’s owner disparaging the decision to acquire him.
34. Luis Robert Jr., an outfielder for the White Sox, is a trade candidate with a significant contract. Robert’s recent struggles and injury history make him a potential trade chip for the team, despite his high potential and past performance.
35. Bo Bichette, a shortstop for the Blue Jays, is a trade candidate with a guaranteed contract. Bichette’s potential trade value and the team’s commitment to competing in 2025 make a trade less likely, despite his struggles in the previous season.
