This year’s free-agent market features a number of star players, including Kyle Tucker, Kyle Schwarber, Alex Bregman and Pete Alonso. Those players and others on the open market will generate plenty of talk in the coming weeks, yet executives at the General Managers Meetings in Las Vegas seemed just as intrigued by the trade market, which could see several All-Star players moved before next season.
For the eighth consecutive year, MLB.com has put together its annual “All-Trade-Rumor Team,” one position at a time, looking at the key players whose names figure to be staples on the trade market in the coming months.
Last year’s list included Garrett Crochet and Devin Williams, who wound up being the centerpieces of two of the winter’s biggest deals. Which players from this year’s list will find themselves on the move?
C: Sean Murphy, Braves
The free-agent market includes only one catcher of note (J.T. Realmuto), opening up the possibility of some catchers being moved via trade. The Braves have NL Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin under control for five more years, and given its other needs, Atlanta would benefit from moving Murphy, who is signed for three more years and $45 million.
Buzz factor: Low
Murphy has been dealing with a hip injury for two years, contributing to his below-average performance at the plate (26 homers, 70 RBIs, .676 OPS in 166 games). He underwent surgery for a labral tear in September, though he’s hoping to be ready by the start of the 2026 season. Murphy remains a premier defender behind the plate, so if the Braves choose to keep him, he and Baldwin can split time between catcher and DH.
1B: Yandy Díaz, Rays
Díaz bounced back from a mediocre 2024, hitting 25 home runs with 83 RBIs and an .848 OPS in 150 games for the Rays last season. Díaz’s defense is suspect (-7 Outs Above Average in only 37 games in 2025) and some clubs might prefer him in a DH role, but he’s a professional hitter who would make most lineups better. The Rays have given no indication that they want to move him, but they have received consistent interest in him over the past two years.
Buzz factor: Medium
Díaz is set to earn a team-high $12 million in 2026 and has a $10 million club option for 2027 with no buyout (the option can become $13 million with 500 plate appearances in 2026), a time the Rays tend to look to move players. The free-agent market includes some solid first-base options beyond Alonso (Ryan O’Hearn, Luis Arraez, Rhys Hoskins), but Díaz offers solid production without a long-term commitment, which could be appealing to other clubs.
2B: Brendan Donovan, Cardinals
With two years of club control remaining and a healthy arbitration raise set for this winter, Donovan is one of the more likely trade candidates of the offseason. The versatile infielder/outfielder can play all over the field, a quality that figures to be appealing to a number of potential suitors. A Gold Glove winner in the utility spot in 2022, Donovan made his first All-Star team in 2025, finishing the season with 10 home runs, 50 RBIs and a .775 OPS while finishing in the top 10 percent of the league in both whiff and strikeout percentages.
Buzz factor: High
The Cardinals figure to be the most active team on the trade market this winter, with Donovan, Nolan Arenado (more on him shortly) and Sonny Gray all prime candidates to be dealt. The Astros, Yankees and Guardians are among the teams believed to have interest in the 28-year-old, giving the Cardinals multiple options to pursue.
SS: CJ Abrams, Nationals
The Nationals are likely to look at a variety of options in their first offseason under new president of baseball operations Paul Toboni. Players already in the arbitration process figure to become available as Washington continues its rebuild, and while Abrams isn’t going to anchor anyone’s lineup, he’s been consistently solid over the past three years, averaging 19 home runs, 63 RBIs, 36 stolen bases and a .736 OPS/105 OPS+.
Buzz factor: Low
With three years of arbitration remaining, there’s no urgency on the Nationals’ part to move Abrams this winter. But with very few shortstop options on either the trade or free-agent markets, a club searching for help at the position might be willing to make it worth Washington’s while.
3B: Nolan Arenado, Cardinals
Arenado was a popular name on the trade market last winter, but he utilized his no-trade clause to reject a trade to the Astros. The 34-year-old has regressed offensively over the past two years, hitting 12 home runs with 52 RBIs and a .666 OPS in 107 games in 2025, but he remains a solid defender (+3 Outs Above Average) and ranked in the 96th percentile in strikeout rate, so perhaps a change of scenery would help rejuvenate his bat.
Buzz factor: High
Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom recently said that “it is clear to everybody that it would be best to find a different fit” for Arenado, making an offseason trade likely. Arenado still possesses a full no-trade clause, so he will have a say in his ultimate destination.
OF: Jarren Duran, Red Sox
The Red Sox have a crowded outfield, with Duran, Roman Anthony, Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela all under control through at least 2028. Boston could rotate the group to fill its DH spot, but Masataka Yoshida is still on the roster and No. 3 prospect Jhostynxon Garcia – yet another outfielder – is waiting in the wings. Duran was one of the best players in the league in 2024, and although his 2025 wasn’t as strong, he still hit 16 home runs with 84 RBIs, a league-high 13 triples, 24 steals and a .774 OPS.
Buzz factor: High
Duran was mentioned in multiple trade rumors last summer, and with Boston’s outfield situation, he would seem to be the most logical candidate to be used in a deal for pitching.
OF: Steven Kwan, Guardians
Kwan has been a staple in Cleveland’s lineup since he broke into the league in 2022, winning four straight Gold Gloves while making the AL All-Star team in each of the past two seasons. The 28-year-old is entering the second of his three arbitration years, and although he’s posted an fWAR of at least 3.0 in each of his four years in the league, Kwan’s offensive performance has fluctuated on an every-other-year basis.
Buzz factor: Low
With two years of club control remaining, the Guardians are not in a position where they have urgency to move Kwan. But his name came up in multiple trade conversations last summer, and given that his salary will grow again this offseason with an arbitration raise, Cleveland could shop him around to see what kind of offers are out there.
OF: Nick Castellanos, Phillies
What would this list be without Castellanos, who has become a perennial trade candidate in recent years. Castellanos’ contract has been the biggest obstacle to a trade over the past two seasons, but with one year and $20 million remaining on his deal, the Phillies can probably move him if they’re willing to pay down his salary.
Buzz factor: High
Castellanos seems like a long shot to be on the Phillies’ roster by Opening Day, as some have suggested Philadelphia could even release him if he’s not traded. It won’t take much for another team to acquire him, and if there’s a belief that he has anything left in the tank, Castellanos could find himself on a new club very soon.
DH: Masataka Yoshida, Red Sox
Yoshida didn’t make his 2025 debut until July 9, and while he struggled through July and August, the 32-year-old hit well down the stretch, posting an .837 OPS in 20 September games. Yoshida has played 93 games in left field during his three-year tenure with the Red Sox, though 84 of those came in his 2023 rookie season.
Buzz factor: Low
Yoshida is set to earn $18.6 million in each of the next two seasons, so the Red Sox would likely have to be willing to pay down part of that salary – a possibility given Boston’s overcrowded outfield situation – to make a trade a reality.
RHP: Joe Ryan, Twins
After making the first All-Star team of his career last summer, Ryan was one of the few key players to survive the Trade Deadline in Minnesota, though the pitcher drew significant interest from a number of clubs. He’s under control through 2027, so the Twins could start the season with Ryan atop their rotation, then shop him around this summer if they’re out of contention.
Buzz factor: Medium
Ryan is entering his second of three arbitration years, though his salary will still be very affordable for a frontline starter. Given his track record and club control, Ryan will be one of the most attractive arms on the trade market – if the Twins decide to trade him, which is no lock.
LHP: Tarik Skubal, Tigers
Skubal has been the best pitcher in baseball over the past two years, winning back-to-back AL Cy Young Awards. He’s entering his final year of arbitration and will be seeking the largest free-agent pitching contract in history a year from now, giving the Tigers something to think about if they won’t believe they can re-sign him next winter.
Buzz factor: Low
The buzz around a potential Skubal trade has actually been quite loud, but very few within the game expect the Tigers to trade their ace this winter. If Detroit opts to move him, the return would be huge for Skubal’s final year prior to free agency.
RP: Victor Vodnik, Rockies
The trade market for relievers lacks any big-name closer options, so teams might look for low-cost, high-upside alternatives when scouring the league for bullpen help. The Rockies have a number of candidates for new president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta to shop, but Vodnik stands out for his big fastball (97th percentile in velocity) and ability to induce grounders (92nd percentile in ground-ball percentage).
Buzz factor: Low
Trying to figure out which controllable relievers might be moved this winter is like throwing darts, but Vodnik – who is under control for four more seasons – is as good a guess as anyone. The Rockies could also get calls about Seth Halvorsen and Jimmy Herget.
