Ranking Top 25 Potential Trade Chips of the 2024-25 MLB Offseason (2024)

Ranking Top 25 Potential Trade Chips of the 2024-25 MLB Offseason

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    The MLB postseason is in full swing, but we are also just a few short weeks from the start of another offseason. With 26 teams already eliminated from the World Series hunt, the majority of the league is now focused on the future.

    With that in mind, we've started looking ahead to what promises to be another busy offseason of roster shuffling.

    A few weeks ago, we took an early look at the best upcoming free agents, with outfielder Juan Soto, starter Corbin Burnes and shortstop Willy Adames among the headliners, along with Gerrit Cole if he decides to exercise his opt-out.

    Now it's time to turn our attention to the trade market.

    Ahead we've highlighted the top 25 potential trade chips of the upcoming offseason. It's a mix of speculative trade candidates and players who have previously seen their names pop up on the rumor mill.

    The likelihood that a player is traded helped narrow the list to 25 names, while remaining years of control and salary commitment factored into where they fell in the rankings.

    In case you missed it: MLB Free Agency Big Board: Looking Ahead to Top 25 Available Players

Nos. 25-21

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    25. 2B Brendan Rodgers, Colorado Rockies (Age: 28)

    Contract Status: Arbitration-eligible through 2025

    Rodgers has never quite lived up to being the No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 draft, but he is a strong defensive second baseman with decent pop. The 2022 NL Gold Glove winner hit .267/.314/.407 with 29 doubles, 13 home runs and 54 RBI over 135 games in 2024, reaching 500 plate appearances for the second time in his career.

    24. 1B Andrew Vaughn, Chicago White Sox (Age: 26)

    Contract Status: Arbitration-eligible through 2026

    Vaughn led the White Sox in hits (140), doubles (30), RBI (70) and total bases (229) while slugging 19 home runs, but he hit just .246/.297/.402 for a 99 OPS+ in 619 plate appearances. He could benefit from a change of scenery and still offers some untapped offensive upside, though his lack of on-base ability does undercut his value.

    23. SP Tyler Anderson, Los Angeles Angels (Age: 34)

    Contract Status: One year, $13 million on contract

    Anderson struggled to a 6.93 ERA and 1.81 WHIP in 37.2 innings over his final eight starts to spoil what had been a terrific season, including his second All-Star selection in the last three years. Despite that late swoon, he still finished with a 3.81 ERA in 179.1 innings, and his $13 million salary is roughly his market value.

    22. OF Mike Yastrzemski, San Francisco Giants (Age: 34)

    Contract Status: Arbitration-eligible through 2025

    With a $9.5 million projected salary in his final year of arbitration, Yastrzemski could find himself on the trade block, assuming his age will prevent the Giants from signing him to an extension. He posted a 110 OPS+ with 16 doubles, 18 home runs and 57 RBI in 2024 for his sixth straight 2.0-WAR season, and his ability to handle center field should add to his appeal.

    21. RP Pete Fairbanks, Tampa Bay Rays (Age: 30)

    Contract Status: One year, $3.7 million on contract, 2026 club option

    Fairbanks had a 3.57 ERA and 1.17 WHIP with 23 saves in 27 chances last season, and he has 61 saves total over the past four years. However, a lat strain ended his 2024 season prematurely in August, and that opened the door for Edwin Uceta to step into the closer's role. His team-friendly salary and late-inning experience could make him a hot commodity on the trade block.

Nos. 20-16

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    20. IF Luis Rengifo, Los Angeles Angels (Age: 27)

    Contract Status: Arbitration-eligible through 2025

    With the ability to play all over the field and some sneaky power, Rengifo is the type of player who could make any team better. He hit .300/.347/.417 for a 116 OPS+ last season while tallying 20 extra-base hits and 24 steals in 78 games, though he missed the final two months of the season with a wrist injury.

    19. RP Kyle Finnegan, Washington Nationals (Age: 33)

    Contract Status: Arbitration-eligible through 2025

    An All-Star for the first time in 2024, Finnegan converted 38 of 43 save chances with a 3.68 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 8.5 K/9 in 65 appearances. He doesn't miss bats at the rate of a top-tier closer, but his late-inning experience is still valuable as he has recorded 88 saves over the past four seasons for the Nationals.

    18. SP Nestor Cortes, New York Yankees (Age: 29)

    Contract Status: Arbitration-eligible through 2025

    Cortes saw his name surface in rumors at the 2024 deadline, with the Yankees set to move him if they had landed one of their top targets on the trade market. Between those rumblings and his public disapproval when he was briefly moved to the bullpen in September, it feels like a breakup is coming. With a 3.77 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 162 strikeouts in 174.1 innings, plenty of teams would be interested if he is legitimately shopped.

    17. SP Zack Littell, Tampa Bay Rays (Age: 29)

    Contract Status: Arbitration-eligible through 2025

    With a projected salary of $4.8 million in his final year of arbitration, Littell is an extremely cost-effective starter who can slot in the middle of a contender's starting rotation. After pitching primarily in relief early in his career, he moved into a starting role in 2023, and he had a 3.63 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 141 strikeouts in 156.1 innings over 29 starts this year.

    16. 1B Ryan Mountcastle, Baltimore Orioles (Age: 27)

    Contract Status: Arbitration-eligible through 2026

    Mountcastle has a 114 OPS+ over five seasons in the majors, and he has averaged 31 doubles, 26 home runs and 94 RBI per 162 games over the course of his time in the big leagues. He has a 33-homer season on his resume, and could be a cheap power source for teams looking to add some pop. The Orioles were willing to entertain offers for him at the trade deadline, and moving him would clear a path for top prospect Coby Mayo.

Nos. 15-11

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    15. OF Taylor Ward, Los Angeles Angels (Age: 30)

    Contract Status: Arbitration-eligible through 2026

    Ward finished strong with a .906 OPS and seven home runs in September, and overall he hit .246/.323/.426 for a 111 OPS+ with 26 doubles, 25 home runs and 75 RBI in a career-high 663 plate appearances. His $9.2 million projected salary is a bargain relative to his market value, it's simply a question of how open the Angels will be to moving him as they retool once again.

    14. IF Jonathan India, Cincinnati Reds (Age: 27)

    Contract Status: $5 million salary in 2025, arbitration-eligible in 2026

    India was a popular name on the trade market last offseason before ultimately staying put and enjoying a solid all-around season. He hit .248/.357/.392 for a 105 OPS+ with 28 doubles, 15 home runs, 58 RBI and 13 steals in a 1.7-WAR season, and with Matt McLain expected to be back healthy in 2025, he could be viewed as expendable.

    13. 2B Brandon Lowe, Tampa Bay Rays (Age: 30)

    Contract Status: $10.5 million club option in 2025, $11.5 million club options in 2026

    Last offseason, the Twins exercised their club option on Jorge Polanco and then traded him to the Seattle Mariners. The Rays could take a similar approach with Lowe, assuming they continue to prioritize shedding payroll this winter. He had a 121 OPS+ with 19 doubles, 21 home runs and 58 RBI in 107 games in 2024, and he has been a consistent run producer when healthy.

    12. SP Jesús Luzardo, Miami Marlins (Age: 27)

    Contract Status: Arbitration-eligible through 2026

    The Marlins opted against trading Luzardo at the deadline, opting instead to wait until he was healthy again and they could maximize his value. He never ended up returning down the stretch, making his final appearance on June 16 before missing the rest of the season with a lumbar stress reaction in his back. He had a 5.00 ERA in 66.2 innings in 2024 but enjoyed a breakout performance in 2023 when he finished 10-10 with a 3.58 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 208 strikeouts in 178.2 innings.

    11. 3B Ryan McMahon, Colorado Rockies (Age: 29)

    Contract Status: Three years, $44 million on contract

    McMahon has been a consistent source of 20-homer power and elite defense at third base throughout his time with the Rockies, and he was an All-Star for the first time in 2024. The Rockies balked at trading him over the summer and may have missed their best chance to sell high. He hit just .188/.283/.309 in 237 plate appearances during the second half, but his long track record of production still gives him solid trade value.

10. SP Sonny Gray, St. Louis Cardinals

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    Age: 34

    Contract Status: Two years, $60 million on contract, 2027 club option

    After finishing runner-up in AL Cy Young voting with the Minnesota Twins in 2023, veteran Sonny Gray signed a three-year, $75 million deal with the St. Louis Cardinals early last offseason as they worked to rebuild their starting rotation.

    He finished 13-9 with a 3.84 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 203 strikeouts in 166.1 innings in his Cardinals debut, but the team missed the playoffs for second year in a row, and a larger retooling may be in order.

    His contract was back-loaded, and that remaining money takes a bite out of his trade value, but he has a lengthy track record as a frontline option and should generate plenty of interest if he is made available.

9. 1B Yandy Díaz, Tampa Bay Rays

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    Age: 33

    Contract Status: One year, $10 million on contract, 2026 club option

    An underrated contributor for several years, Yandy Díaz broke through on a national level in 2023 when he earned a starting nod in the All-Star Game and went on to win the AL batting title with a .330 average in a 5.2-WAR season.

    He failed to match that level of production this past season, but still hit .281/.341/.414 for a 116 OPS+ with 31 doubles, 14 home runs, 65 RBI and 1.6 WAR in 145 games.

    His three-year, $24 million deal was back-loaded, and his 2025 salary is poised to make him one of the highest-paid players on the Rays roster. He was a popular name at the trade deadline and could be shopped more aggressively this winter.

8. RP Ryan Helsley, St. Louis Cardinals

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    Age: 30

    Contract Status: Arbitration-eligible through 2025

    Armed with a fastball that averaged 99.6 mph and a lethal slider that generated a 51.0 percent strikeout rate, Ryan Helsley was one of the best closers in baseball during the 2024 season.

    He led the NL with 49 saves in 53 chances while posting a 2.04 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 10.7 K/9 in 65 appearances, and he also set a new single-season save record for the St. Louis Cardinals organization.

    His $6.9 million projected salary in his final year of arbitration makes him a major bargain and should create a wide market for his services, especially if he is open to signing an extension after moving.

7. RP Devin Williams, Milwaukee Brewers

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    Age: 30

    Contract Status: $10.5 million club option for 2025

    Devin Williams did not make his 2024 season debut until July 28 after recovering from stress fractures in his back, but he picked up right where he left off as one of the most overpowering relievers in the game once he returned to the mound.

    In 22 appearances, he posted a 1.25 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 15.8 K/9 while converting 14 of 15 save opportunities and striking out 38 of the 88 batters he faced.

    He took the blown saves and loss in Game 3 of the Wild Card Series against the New York Mets, but that does nothing to undercut his spectacular career numbers and consistent dominance.

    Over six seasons in the majors, he has a 1.83 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 14.3 K/9 in 241 appearances. The Brewers have a potential in-house replacement in Trevor Megill, who saved 21 games before Williams returned from injury, and that should make it easier to shop their two-time All-Star closer.

6. SS Bo Bichette, Toronto Blue Jays

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    Age: 26

    Contract Status: One year, $17.6 million on contract

    Bo Bichette was one of the best offensive players in baseball during the 2021, 2022 and 2023 seasons, hitting a combined .298/.339/.476 for a 124 OPS+ while averaging 185 hits, 34 doubles, 24 home runs, 89 RBI, 94 runs scored and 4.8 WAR.

    That elite-level production was nowhere to be found in 2024, as he hit .225/.277/.322 for a 71 OPS+ in 336 plate appearances, and a calf injury and fractured finger limited him to just 81 games.

    Ernie Clement did a solid job handling shortstop duties in his absence, and the Blue Jays could take an opportunistic approach to shopping Bichette this offseason. Once Willy Adames and Ha-Seong Kim are signed, there is a steep drop-off for teams still looking for an upgrade at shortstop.

5. 2B/SS Nico Hoerner, Chicago Cubs

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    Age: 27

    Contract Status: Two years, $23.5 million on contract

    With infield prospects Matt Shaw and James Triantos knocking on the door after closing out the 2024 season at Triple-A, and shortstop Dansby Swanson and third baseman Isaac Paredes set to man the left side of the infield, the Chicago Cubs could trade from a position of strength this winter.

    Prior to shifting to second base following the Swanson signing, Hoerner played a Gold Glove-caliber shortstop in 2022 when he logged 10 Defensive Runs Saved in 1,117.2 innings at the position in his first full big league season.

    With a 101 OPS+, 43 extra-base hits, 31 steals and elite contact skills, Hoerner is capable of providing positive value in a wide variety of ways, and he has piled up 13.0 WAR over the last three seasons.

    The Cubs won't trade him just to trade him, but if the right offer comes along that provides MLB-ready talent at another area of need, there is a real possibility he could be on the move.

4. OF Luis Robert Jr., Chicago White Sox

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    Age: 27

    Contract Status: One year, $15 million on contract, 2026 and 2027 club options

    In terms of upside and potential impact, Luis Robert Jr. has a solid argument for the No. 1 spot in these rankings.

    He showed what he was capable of when he played a career-high 145 games in 2023 and posted a 130 OPS+ with 36 doubles, 38 home runs, 80 RBI, 90 runs scored and 20 steals in 24 attempts. He finished 12th in AL MVP voting, won Silver Slugger honors and tallied 5.0 WAR while also providing plus defensive work in center field.

    However, that stellar season is sandwiched by injury-plagued seasons in 2022 (98 games) and 2024 (100 games), and the time he has missed has become part of the narrative of his game.

    He hit .224/.278/.379 for an 87 OPS+ in 2024 while missing significant time with a hip flexor strain, but he still slugged 14 home runs and stole 23 bases.

    Acquiring him for one year would be a $17 million commitment when a potential 2026 buyout is factored in, but he could potentially be retained in 2026 and 2027 with a pair of $20 million club options.

3. SP Garrett Crochet, Chicago White Sox

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    Age: 25

    Contract Status: Arbitration-eligible through 2026

    Left-hander Garrett Crochet made the first start of his MLB career on 2024 Opening Day, as he was rushed to the majors the same year he was taken No. 11 overall in the 2020 draft to fill a relief role and then dealt with some injury issues.

    He put together a terrific start to the season, posting a 3.02 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 141 strikeouts in 101.1 innings through the end of June, and he earned a spot on the AL All-Star team as the White Sox lone representative.

    Poised to be one of the hottest names on the trade block, Crochet altered his market considerably when he made some surprising demands in late July.

    "Crochet wants a contract extension if he's traded in order to pitch in the postseason this year, according to sources familiar with the situation," wrote Jesse Rogers of ESPN. "Crochet also is making it known he has no desire to pitch out of the bullpen, citing health concerns for all of the above requests."

    He ended up staying put on the sinking ship that was the 2024 White Sox, and he was kept on a strict innings limit during the second half of the year. Over the final three months, he went 0-6 with a 4.84 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in 44.2 innings, never pitching beyond four innings in a start.

    He is a polarizing target, but one that offers legitimate No. 1 starter upside and two remaining years of club control.

2. SP Sandy Alcántara, Miami Marlins

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    Age: 29

    Contract Status: Two years, $34.6 million on contract, 2027 club option

    Sandy Alcántara was the best pitcher in baseball during the 2022 season, going 14-9 with a 2.28 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 207 strikeouts in 228.2 innings while tossing six complete games on his way to unanimous NL Cy Young honors.

    He served as the ace of the staff for the Miami Marlins again in 2023, but he missed the team's surprise trip to the postseason while dealing with forearm tightness. That eventually led to Tommy John surgery, which kept him sidelined for the entire 2024 campaign.

    The Marlins are clearly rebuilding, and with his salary set to jump from $9.3 to $17.3 million over the final two years of his current contract, it would make sense to flip him now for prospects to help the future outlook.

    Even coming off Tommy John surgery, he offers more upside than any other pitcher expected to be available on the trade market.

1. OF Brent Rooker, Oakland Athletics

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    Age: 29

    Contract Status: Arbitration-eligible through 2027

    Former first-round pick Brent Rooker took several years and multiple stops before breaking through with a 30-homer, 2.2-WAR season in 2023, and he proved that unexpected performance was the real deal with an even better 2024 season.

    The 6'3", 225-pound slugger ranked among the AL leaders in OPS+ (165, sixth), home runs (39, fourth), RBI (112, third) and WAR (5.6, ninth), and there's a good chance he is going to finish in the Top 10 in AL MVP voting while playing for a 93-loss team.

    With his salary set to climb from the league minimum of $750,000 in 2023 to a projected $5.1 million in his first year of arbitration, the tight-fisted Athletics could start entertaining offers this winter.

    His elite offensive production and three remaining years of club control put him in the top spot on the offseason trade market, and he has the potential to be a legitimate game-changer if he finds his way to a contender.

Ranking Top 25 Potential Trade Chips of the 2024-25 MLB Offseason (2024)
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