The MLB postseason has been trimmed 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 upcoming free-agent market is thin behind ace Tarik Skubal, which could mean a more active offseason of wheeling and dealing on the trade market. On the flip side, the looming CBA negotiations and an expected lockout create significant uncertainty about what the offseason will look like.
Assuming there is something resembling a traditional offseason, we have highlighted the top 25 potential trade chips that could be on the move. The list is a mix of speculative trade candidates and players whose names have already surfaced on the rumour mill.
The likelihood that a player is traded helped narrow the list 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, using last year’s Nolan Arenado trade as a blueprint of sorts. He underwent season-ending core muscle and hernia surgery in August, but 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. The power production was there once again, but he has posted a middling 88 OPS+ and a .299 on-base percentage over 1,350 plate appearances across the last two years, and the Braves 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 for Taj Bradley. He posted a 3.14 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 106 strikeouts in 103.2 innings over 23 starts, but the Rays have a habit of shopping pitchers with climbing arbitration salaries.
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 one met the Royals’ asking price for Wacha at the deadline, but he could be shopped more aggressively this winter as 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 per cent and a strikeout rate below 15 per cent. 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. The Marlins listened to offers for him and shortstop Otto Lopez at the deadline, and 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).
With a fastball that touches triple digits and a knuckle curve that generated a 46.5 per cent whiff rate, Megill was one of baseball’s most dominant closers, converting 30 of 33 save chances. 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. The Brewers have a history of flipping closers before they become expensive, having dealt 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 fielded the fourth-lowest payroll in the majors, which 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, and he holds 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 dumping Luis Castillo’s salary at the trade deadline, there is still a good chance the Mariners will shop one of their starting pitchers this winter in search of offensive upgrades. With two years of club control remaining and a down season in 2026, Kirby is the least likely of the three starters from Seattle featured on this list, 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, so he can veto any trade, but enough off-field turmoil occurred during the 2026 season to suggest he might be looking for a change of scenery. Even in a down year by his standards, he was still 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 doesn’t mean he won’t change his tune if the club starts retooling this offseason. He is entering the final season of his five-year, $185 million deal, and his 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 his lengthy injury history, won’t make it easy for the Rangers to move Seager. That said, he remains a star-level performer when healthy, and a thin shortstop class in free agency will shift attention to the trade market. For a team unwilling to pay the steep price to acquire someone like Zach Neto or Otto Lopez, absorbing Seager’s salary at a lower acquisition cost is a potential alternative.
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 are at an interesting crossroads, with a starting rotation that needs rebuilding, aging stars in Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa, and two key bats closing in on free agency in Paredes and Jeremy Peña. A larger rebuild would make sense, but even if they only retool, Paredes remains 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 the third-highest paid player on the Guardians roster in 2026 with a $7.725 million salary, and that figure is projected to climb well north of $10 million next season. Cleveland operates 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, flipping 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).
Viewed as Seattle’s No. 6 starter entering the year, Hancock earned a shot at the Opening Day rotation when Bryce Miller was sidelined with an 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 held onto a rotation spot the rest of the way. His four remaining years of control make him significantly 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 put together a strong season out of the Angels bullpen in 2025, following an ugly 6.70 ERA over 17 starts the previous year, and that was enough to earn him another shot in the rotation. He finished among 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 for a team coming off a 100-loss season and 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).
With little progress made in extension talks and free agency approaching fast after the 2027 season, Gilbert could sit at the top of the list if the Mariners decide to cash in on one of their 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).
The Twins avoided arbitration with Ryan last January and also added a $13 million mutual option for 2027 to the books. The club will almost certainly opt for a $100,000 buyout on that option in favour of a significantly lower arbitration projection. He could eventually land on someone else’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 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).
The moment Peña hired Scott Boras as his new agent in June 2025, the likelihood of a long-term extension before he reached the open market shrank considerably for the Astros. A wide-open AL West ultimately convinced Houston to steer away from selling at the deadline. Even if the club views itself as a contender 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.
The Brewers have made a habit of trading star players as they approach free agency, with Hader, Corbin Burnes, Williams and Freddy Peralta among the notable recent examples. That is enough to put Contreras in the trade chip conversation, especially if the club 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, carrying 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 he is healthy. The Athletics have locked up several members of their young offensive core in recent years, but Langeliers has not been among them. He could be the piece they flip to try 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 across baseball have hit more home runs over the past two seasons than the 72 hit by Goodman, and his 41 long balls this year were tied for third in the National League 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 this is not a case of Coors Field 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 the Rockies explore ways to improve. The asking price will be high given his remaining control, but he might 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).
With three straight seasons of 20 home runs, 20 steals and 5.0 WAR, Neto has developed into one of the best all-around shortstops in baseball. He rarely receives the attention he deserves, however, while playing for a franchise that has banked 11 consecutive losing seasons.
The Angels took a step toward retooling at the deadline by trading controllable pieces, including José Soriano, Adell and Ryan Zeferjahn, but they held onto their two most valuable trade chips in Neto and left-hander Reid Detmers.
The club’s status as a perennial also-ran, combined with a newfound willingness to move controllable pieces, should make Neto one of the most talked-about 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).
The Padres were straddling the line between buyers and sellers leading up to the 2026 trade deadline. Miller was talked about as one of the top players who could be on the move before San Diego 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, but his value is so high that they would be silly not to at least listen to offers.
It took an elite-level prospect in Leo De Vries to pry Miller loose from the Athletics. If a similar offer hits the table, or a team is willing to part with a controllable starting pitcher, he could be on the 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).
The Nationals finished among the MLB leaders in runs scored (821, third), home runs (210, sixth) and OPS (.744, third), and a breakout offensive season from Abrams helped lift those numbers.
After posting a 109 OPS+ with 19 home runs and 31 steals in 2025, he took his game to another level with the first 30/30 season of his career and an impressive 106 RBIs, which ranked fourth in the National League.
Washington flipped starter MacKenzie Gore last winter while still trying to build back toward contention. The Nationals 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.
A chorus of boos rained down on Acuña as he grounded out to end the seventh inning in Game 4 of the NLDS, stranding a runner on second base and bringing his playoff line to 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, and a quick move to remove the Braves from his Instagram account immediately after their playoff elimination fuelled speculation that a split might be on the horizon this winter.
With a pair of reasonable $17 million club options for the next two seasons, his contract adds 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.