The trade market could be busy around baseball this offseason for two reasons: the free-agent class simply isn't very good, and 29 teams just watched a Brewers roster comprised of players acquired via trade win the World Series.
Never mind the impending lockout that will halt all transactions indefinitely starting in early December; all of the factors are in place for some movement on the trade front.
Some players who hear their name surface in rumors will stick around into 2027, but it's not too early to gauge which players are likely to be available this winter.
Here are 12 trade candidates who could find themselves on the move this offseason.
MORE: Ranking the top 16 MLB free agents
Ketel Marte, 2B, Diamondbacks
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When Marte's name surfaced in trade rumors last winter, the reaction was generally that it didn't make sense to trade such an outstanding hitter when the Diamondbacks had a chance to compete in 2026. In hindsight, it probably would've been the right move.
Not only did Marte post his worst offensive season since 2022, but he caused more trouble for Arizona when his no-show to a game in August created a week-long distraction in the middle of a postseason race. Both of those factors have reduced Marte's trade value, perhaps to the point that the Diamondbacks just decide to stick with him, but you would have to think they're ready to just move on.
What does Marte offer a team as a hitter? He was an MVP finalist in 2024, posted an .893 OPS in 2025 and provides pop at a position that just doesn't have many bats like him. If he's not a distraction, Marte can be an instant jolt for any offense even as he heads into his age-33 season.
Drew Rasmussen, SP, Rays
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Why would the Rays trade Rasmussen after he anchored a World Series rotation? Well, if their method got them that far, they aren't going to abandon it now.
That doesn't mean Tampa Bay should move on from every valuable player, but it does mean the organization may prefer getting something of value for Rasmussen rather than paying him $20 million in 2027 — virtually unprecedented for the Rays — and watching him walk after the season.
Rasmussen turned in a career year in 2026, posting a 2.67 ERA and AL-leading 0.91 WHIP across 30 starts, and it didn't look like a fluke; he had a 2.79 ERA from 2021-25, excelling as both a starter and long reliever.
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Jeremy Pena, SS, Astros
The Astros have a decision to make on Pena, who is comfortably an All-Star-caliber player. The former World Series MVP is set to be a free agent after 2027, and Houston typically isn't inclined to hand out massive contracts in free agency.
That's what it might require to keep Pena.
The 29-year-old was already a strong defensive player when he broke out with a .304 AVG and .840 OPS in 2025. While he missed 50 games in 2026, Pena flashed improved power with 22 home runs and finished the year strong. There may be no better time than now to get a haul for Pena.
Zach Neto, SS, Angels
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The Angels toyed with trading Neto at the deadline, but their front office was in limbo. The outlook isn't much clearer now, aside from new ownership coming aboard, but the franchise clearly feels more comfortable trading controllable pieces than it once did.
Neto doesn't have to be traded, but he would bring back a sneaky haul if he did. Still just 25 and under team control through 2029, Neto is a consistent 25-home run hitter and strong defender at a premier position. Strikeouts were a problem in 2026, but they are something a team with better developmental skills could reduce in the years to come.
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Reid Detmers, SP, Angels
Like Neto, Detmers could've easily been traded at the August deadline. It was perhaps a surprise that he wasn't.
That turned out to be a wise decision by the Angels, as he turned in a brilliant final two months, turning strong underlying numbers into reality.
Detmers' value is sky-high right now. The former first-round pick posted a 3.36 ERA and 211 strikeouts in 2026, and he closed the year with a 1.89 ERA in the second half. Teams looking for starters with multiple years of control will come calling for Detmers.
CJ Abrams, SS/2B, Nationals
After dealing Luis Garcia Jr. at the deadline this past season, the Nationals will have to ask themselves whether it's worth exploring an Abrams deal. The former Padres prospect is still just 26 and has multiple years of control, and he is coming off his best offensive season even if he cratered over the final few weeks. That's going to bring back some value.
On the other hand, Abrams is already transitioning away from shortstop after struggling to make any progress defensively. Does that hurt his value to the point that the Nationals just keep him in the fold and try to win in 2027? Washington isn't far away, so any Abrams deal would likely be for MLB-ready pitching rather than prospects who aren't close to breaking through.
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George Kirby, SP, Mariners
The Mariners are probably going to trade one of their starting pitchers. George Kirby and Emerson Hancock were mentioned frequently ahead of August's deadline, and Logan Gilbert could even be an option as he heads into the final year of his contract.
If Seattle doesn't plan to compete in 2027, Gilbert makes the most sense. The Mariners should be able to compete in a weak division, though, and dealing Kirby might be a wise compromise. The 28-year-old has two more years of control and was a strong No. 2 starter at the very least over his first three MLB seasons. The last two years have been a different story, though Kirby's underlying numbers have been more stable.
If his value isn't too low, the Mariners can address a need by dealing Kirby and still roll out a strong rotation featuring Gilbert, Bryan Woo, Hancock, Kade Anderson and Bryce Miller.
Alec Burleson, 1B, Cardinals
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The Cardinals have been stuck in the middle for a handful of years now, and it's tough to see that changing in 2027. A year after they traded Willson Contreras, could Burleson be the next on the move? The first baseman's value is high right now, as he has two years of control remaining and is coming off a 116-RBI season with a career-high 131 OPS+.
Any team seeking a first baseman or DH could use that kind of production.
MORE: How Milwaukee built World Series winner on a small-ball budget
Isaac Paredes, 3B, Astros
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The Astros looked like they would have to trade Paredes early in 2026 before Carlos Correa went down with a season-ending injury, clearing a logjam. With free agency looming, a Paredes deal could make sense this winter. The 27-year-old hit .262 with 25 home runs in 2026, posting an OPS north of .800 for the third time in the last four years.
Trevor Megill, CL, Brewers
This is simply what the Brewers do. It works.
The newly minted World Series champions traded Freddy Peralta last winter, didn't even get any immediate impact out of the deal and still won 103 games. Yes, they could just run it back with what they have in 2027, but with the way they churn out relievers, Megill has to be considered a trade candidate much like Josh Hader was in 2022.
Set to turn 33 in December, Megill has posted a sub-3 ERA in each of the last three seasons and had his best season to date in 2026 according to the underlying numbers, including a sparkling 1.85 FIP; Megill allowed just one home run in 70.2 innings between the regular season and postseason.
MORE: Brewers' championship run, by the numbers
Teoscar Hernandez, OF, Dodgers
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The problem the Dodgers have right now is that just about every everyday piece of their lineup is under contract for next season, and the offense took a clear step back in 2026. Of course, that's a problem money can partly solve.
The easiest way to upgrade the lineup would be to trade Teoscar Hernandez, who has long been a defensive liability but is no longer hitting well enough to overshadow it. The 34-year-old's OPS+ has lingered only slightly above the league average for two seasons now, and the Dodgers have Josue De Paula leading a slew of outfield prospects already breaking through.
The Dodgers may have to pay down part of Hernandez's 2027 salary to move him, but that is a price L.A. has proven it should be comfortable paying.
Hunter Goodman, C, Rockies
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No one really knows what the Rockies are going to do with Goodman. The previous regime resisted trades of franchise players at all costs, with some exceptions. The current regime hasn't been in place long enough to fully gauge where the franchise stands on dealing controllable players, but they had a chance to trade Goodman at the deadline in August and didn't.
Still, after another ugly (but much-improved) season, Goodman's name will remain out there because he is controllable for three more years. The 27-year-old blasted 41 home runs even while missing 24 games in 2026, striking out more than he did in 2025 but proving that his power binge was no fluke.
With 72 home runs over the last two seasons and the ability to play a position that just doesn't produce many great hitters, Goodman can bring back some value for Colorado.
