The top trade candidate of the offseason was supposed to be Tarik Skubal. But an annual ESPN survey of MLB executives suggests the rest of the market may be far more chaotic — and far more star-studded — than expected.
When asked which player is the most likely trade chip not named Skubal, the votes spread across a surprisingly high-impact group. Minnesota Twins starter Joe Ryan, Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta and Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte each received multiple votes, signaling broad league belief that contenders will circle those rosters early.
Ryan’s inclusion wasn’t a surprise to some execs. One respondent told ESPN that the Twins “tested the waters” on Ryan over the summer, and that exploration could lead to a move this winter as Minnesota tries to rework its rotation and manage escalating arbitration costs. Peralta, owed just $8 million for 2026, drew interest for the opposite reason: his contract is so team-friendly that Milwaukee’s decision could go either direction, and the Brewers have a recent history of operating against industry expectations.
Marte landing on the list was one of the more unexpected outcomes; he’s on a favorable long-term deal and remains central to Arizona’s lineup. But rivals believe the Diamondbacks are listening broadly as they balance payroll, depth and an increasingly competitive NL West.
Survey voters also pointed to a deeper pool of possible surprises. Steven Kwan, Luis Robert Jr. And Washington left-hander MacKenzie Gore each drew single votes, underscoring how aggressive teams expect the market to become. One executive even teased that “a Pirates starter” could move without naming which one — a vague but telling hint given Pittsburgh’s young, high-value arms.
The Dodgers even made the conversation from the opposite angle. One respondent floated Tyler Glasnow as a potential “sleeper” trade candidate if Los Angeles decides to leverage its rotation depth to patch other holes.
If the survey is right, Skubal may be only the beginning. And the next major move could come from a team no one is expecting.
