The long, winding road that is the MLB offseason is here, and a strong class of free agents will soon start to pursue deals. While Kyle Tucker, Bo Bichette and Pete Alonso are among the free agent headliners, the trade market could also offer some real value.
From Cy Young Award winners to low-cost young players who could be had at the right price, some significant names could change hands this offseason without ever hitting the open market.
Just a year ago, trade season saw Tucker, Garrett Crochet, Cody Bellinger, Josh Naylor, Jesus Luzardo and Devin Williams all move. Who might be next?
AllSportsPeople takes a look at the top trade candidates ahead of the 2026 season.
MORE: Ranking the top 27 free agents for 2025-26 offseason
Tarik Skubal, SP, Tigers
Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
- Age on Opening Day: 29
- Under contract through: 2026
The burning question of the offseason is whether the Detroit Tigers will trade ace Tarik Skubal, who is heading into the final year of his contract. The reigning Cy Young Award winner was even better in 2025 than he was in 2024, posting a 2.21 ERA and 0.89 WHIP before flashing the same kind of dominance in October.
The Tigers are expected to at least listen on Skubal, according to ESPN, because the left-hander doesn't plan to sign an extension with Detroit before hitting the open market at the end of 2026, so the rumors will be flying even if the organization isn't blown away to the point that a deal gets done.
MORE: Every Cy Young Award winner in MLB history
Freddy Peralta, SP, Brewers
- Age on Opening Day: 29
- Under contract through: 2026
Why would the Milwaukee Brewers trade ace Freddy Peralta when they just posted the best record in baseball and have him locked in for just $8 million in 2026? Well, this is just what the Brewers do, flipping players they don't believe they can pay and using those assets to sustain a contending roster. It worked with Devin Williams last offseason, with Caleb Durbin turning into a useful piece, though the return for Corbin Burnes has been less stellar.
A team might not sell the farm for one year of Peralta, who had a 2.70 ERA and 204 strikeouts over 33 starts in 2025, but a cheap season of a starter who is at the very least an excellent No. 2 could get the Brewers real value in a deal.
MORE: The most recent no-hitter for every MLB team
Jarren Duran, OF, Red Sox
- Age on Opening Day: 29
- Under contract through: 2028
Jarren Duran finished top-10 in AL MVP voting in 2024 and had another strong year with 70 extra-base hits in 2025, but his name has surfaced in trade talks because the Red Sox have a bit of an outfield logjam and could turn that surplus into pitching help. While Wilyer Abreu could be moved instead of Duran, the three years of control for a better all-around player in Duran could bring back much more value for Boston.
MORE: Inside Yankees-Red Sox playoff history
Joe Ryan, SP, Twins
- Age on Opening Day: 29
- Under contract through: 2027
Joe Ryan was nearly part of the Minnesota Twins' firesale in July, as he was heavily connected to the Red Sox, but the organization held onto him knowing a deal could be revisited in the offseason. Reports still indicate Ryan could be kept around in Minnesota, where a rebuild is in full effect, but with two years of control remaining, he would fetch the Twins quite a haul. Ryan is coming off his strongest season yet with a 3.42 ERA and 1.04 WHIP while striking out 10.2 batters per nine innings.
MORE: How Twins reshaped organization with deadline firesale
Ketel Marte, 2B, Diamondbacks
- Age on Opening Day: 32
- Under contract through: 2030
Ketel Marte has signed three contract extensions with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and he keeps outplaying all of them. The three-time All-Star was an MVP finalist in 2024 and posted an.893 OPS in 2025, hitting 28 home runs despite missing 36 games. An excellent hitter on an affordable deal at a position that just boast many strong bats around the league, Marte might be too valuable for the Diamondbacks to trade but would fetch a haul if they decided to prioritize adding young pitching. Per The Arizona Republic, rival teams expect the Diamondbacks to at least listen on Marte.
MORE: Most home runs in one game, from Lou Gehrig to Kyle Schwarber
Sandy Alcantara, SP, Marlins
- Age on Opening Day: 30
- Under contract through: 2026 (club option for 2027)
Sandy Alcantara was a major name at the July trade deadline even in the middle of a rough season back from Tommy John Surgery, but the Miami Marlins ultimately had the leverage and decided to try again in the offseason. After the former Cy Young Award winner posted a 2.68 ERA over his final eight starts, that might have been a wise move. The Marlins won't overhaul their farm system with an Alcantara deal, but they are in position to move him for something of value this winter.
MORE: Inside Mets' second-half collapse that allowed Reds to make 2025 playoffs
Paul Skenes, SP, Pirates
- Age on Opening Day: 23
- Under contract through: 2029
It's hard to imagine the Pittsburgh Pirates trading Paul Skenes this offseason, and reports back that up. It wouldn't be fair to say his name surfaced in trade conversations just because fans are bored, though. The Pirates could reshape their organization by dealing Skenes, who is under contract for four more years and is quite literally one of the best players on the planet regardless of position. Skenes posted a sub-two ERA in each of his first two MLB seasons on a team that was headed nowhere, emerging as a bonafide ace and Cy Young Award winner.
If the Pirates believe they are headed nowhere again in 2026 and beyond, it's not unfathomable that they could listen on Skenes. With that being said, Pittsburgh knows the kind of attraction Skenes is. For that reason alone, a deal would be surprising this winter.
MORE: Paul Skenes-Livvy Dunne relationship timeline
MacKenzie Gore, SP, Nationals
- Age on Opening Day: 27
- Under contract through: 2027
MacKenzie Gore is another starter who could have been moved at the deadline but didn't command the type of mega offer his team was looking for. With a new head of baseball operations in Paul Toboni, could the Washington Nationals start fresh this winter by dealing Gore for assets?
Trading a potential frontline starter would be a tough sell for a team that needs all the pitching help it can get, but Gore continues to be frustrating on the mound. Capable of double-digit strikeouts on any given night, Gore has been prone to blowups and allowed six or more earned runs three separate times in 2025. Any team that acquires Gore would be betting on working out those kinks -- knowing the Nationals' recent track record with pitchers, that would probably be a safe bet.
MORE: What is a triple play in baseball?
Pablo Lopez, SP, Twins
- Age on Opening Day: 30
- Under contract through: 2027
Even after selling so many pieces, the Twins have two starters who could be of interest to contenders. Pablo Lopez has been around for a bit, but he's only entering his age-30 season, is under team control through 2027 and didn't miss any time in the three seasons before an injury-shortened 2025 campaign. Lopez has a 3.61 ERA over the last five seasons, including a 2.74 mark over 14 starts in 2025, though he would come at a bit of a cost -- he is owed $21.75 million in both 2026 and 2027.
MORE: What is the World Series trophy called?
Sonny Gray, SP, Cardinals
- Age on Opening Day: 36
- Under contract through: 2026 (club option for 2027)
The St. Louis Cardinals would have to eat some of the $40 million remaining on Sonny Gray's deal to trade him, but it probably makes sense for the two to part ways this winter. Gray made comments at the end of the season explaining that he wanted to win at this point in his career, and the Cardinals might not be in position to do much winning next season. The veteran Gray has taken two steps back since joining the Cardinals after a stellar 2023 season in Minnesota, as he posted a 4.28 ERA and 1.23 WHIP this past season, but a 3.39 FIP and stellar walk rate indicate Gray has more in the tank as he approaches 2,000 strikeouts.
MORE: Every MLB pitcher with 3,000 strikeouts
Taylor Ward, OF, Angels
- Age on Opening Day: 32
- Under contract through: 2026
Taylor Ward's name surfaced in trade deadline rumors in July, but the Los Angeles Angels ultimately decided not to engage in a major selloff. With a potential outfield logjam, it would make sense for one of Ward and Jo Adell to be moved this winter. Ward should have a bit more value ahead of his contract year, despite hitting.228 in 2025. Ward hit a career-high 36 home runs last season and posted an OPS just under.800. After five consecutive seasons with an OPS+ above the league average, Ward's power could fetch the Angels some pitching.
MORE: Who has the most home runs in an MLB season?
Mitch Keller, SP, Pirates
- Age on Opening Day: 29
- Under contract through: 2028
The Pirates declined to trade Mitch Keller at the deadline knowing they had plenty of time to do so in the offseason, but that might have been the best time to make a move given Keller's second half struggles throughout his career. Keller's ERA is a full run higher after All-Star break than before it since he debuted, and the result was an ERA north of 4.00 in each of the last three seasons. Still, Keller's durability and solid control could get the Pirates something of value in a deal.
MORE: Every MLB All-Star Game MVP by year
Nolan Arenado, 3B, Cardinals
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
- Age on Opening Day: 34
- Under contract through: 2027
The Cardinals tried to trade Nolan Arenado last winter, but he rejected two potential deals. With another year gone, St. Louis clearly uninterested in keeping him and his contract closer to the end, Arenado figures to be less picky this offseason.
The Cardinals will have to cover a portion of Arenado's deal after a swift offensive decline for the eight-time All-Star. After a stellar start to his tenure with St. Louis, Arenado saw his OPS dip under.800 in 2023 and all the way to.666 in 2025. There is very little chance Arenado ever hits like he once did, but the benefits of a change of scenery could attract suitors if the Cardinals are willing to retain some of the contract.
MORE: Who are the oldest MLB players of all time?
Adolis Garcia, OF, Rangers
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
- Age on Opening Day: 33
- Under contract through: 2026
A postseason hero in 2023, Adolis Garcia wouldn't fetch much for the Texas Rangers in a trade, but it makes sense for the organization to explore a deal this winter. The Rangers reportedly plans to field a fresher, younger team this season, which indicates payroll cuts could be coming, and a 33-year-old Garcia coming off a highly disappointing season might not be the right fit as he enters the final year of his contract. Garcia will go through the arbitration process this offseason, but he is projected to make about $12 million in 2026 — that wouldn't be such a bad price for a contender that could use a power infusion.
MORE: MLB teams to never win the World Series