Written by 
We say this every year, but this offseason could be a lot of fun.
Fingers crossed.
The free-agent market has some big names, no doubt (hi, Juan Soto and Roki Sasaki!), but the trade market has dozens and dozens of impact-type players – different levels of impact, to be sure – who could be changing uniforms over the next couple of months.
And let’s be honest: The free agents get all the headlines – HOW MUCH MONEY DID SHOHEI OHTANI GET?!?!? – but MLB trade rumors are more fascinating because much more imagination is involved. They’re not just about money. Two teams (or more than two) have to find strengths and weaknesses that align, and then figure out how to hammer out the details.
So that’s what we’re looking at, 11 of the most fascinating trade candidates on the market. As always, we’ll start our look at each candidate with one of our favorite metrics, raw value +/-.
For hitters and pitchers, an RV of 100 is major league average. From there, though, the numbers diverge. Over 100 is better for hitters (RV+) – Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees topped the 2024 list at 207.8 – and under 100 is better for pitchers (RV-) – Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves was best at 61.2 this season.
LHP Garrett Crochet, Chicago White Sox
- 2024 RV-: 65
- Opening Day Age: 25
Many in baseball expected the White Sox to move Crochet at last summer’s trade deadline, and the club did take a bit of a risk that the tall, hard-throwing lefty would stay healthy. But stay healthy he did, and the White Sox should be able to cash in on that bet this offseason, with weeks and months to shop around for the best offer instead of hours and days.
If he’s not traded before Blake Snell, Corbin Burnes or Max Fried sign in free agency, the teams that miss on those aces will be feeling a bit of pitching panic setting in. And make no mistake, Crochet has as much upside as any starting pitcher available this offseason.
He doesn’t have the track record of Snell, Burnes or Fried, but his ability to dominate hitters is rare, even in this era when it seems like every pitcher has a triple-digit fastball and Pitching Ninja-nasty breaking stuff.
Since 2010, there have only been three pitchers with at least 125 innings in a season who have posted a K/9 better than Crochet’s 12.9 last year – Gerrit Cole (13.8), Spencer Strider (13.8 and 13.5) and Chris Sale (13.5, 13.3 and 12.9). That’s pretty good company. He also easily led the majors in whiff+ last season among those with at least 100 innings pitched.
The thing is, the importance of this return is HUGE for the White Sox. GM Chris Getz can’t mess this up. His returns for Erick Fedde, Michael Kopech and others last year were considered by most to be on the low side.
With the right return, the Sox could set themselves up for a quick rebound. Miss on the return for the best available trade chip, and the road to contention looks much rougher.
RHP Devin Williams, Milwaukee Brewers
- 2024 RV-: 40
- Opening Day Age: 30
The Brewers declined their 2025 option on Williams for $10.5 million, but he’s still under club control for next season – his final one before becoming a free agent. He’ll make less than $10.5 in arbitration (estimates are in the $8 million range, after he spent most of 2024 on the IL), which is why Milwaukee made its decision.
Even though GM Matt Arnold hasn’t said for sure Williams will be moved – the opposite, in fact – the track record of that small-market franchise sure makes it seem likely he’ll be moved, probably sooner than later.
The last two Brewers pitching stars, Josh Hader and Corbin Burnes, were traded to the San Diego Padres and Baltimore Orioles, respectively, when in similar situations. Like those two, Milwaukee will almost certainly not offer a market-value long-term extension to Williams. And yes, it’s true Williams has been roughed up in the postseason. But no, that will not dampen his trade value. Not significantly, anyway.
Williams’ ERA of 1.66 in 141 innings over the past three seasons is the best in baseball for any pitcher with at least 125 innings. And his K/9 of 14.1 tops that same list, too (well, tied with Felix Bautista). He has the type of swing-and-miss stuff teams love in October.
3B Nolan Arenado, St. Louis Cardinals
- 2024 RV+: 104
- Opening Day Age: 33 (turns 34 on April 16)
Arenado is approaching the final stretch of his career, and he’s rather desperate to play for a team contending for a World Series title. That’s not happening in St. Louis for a few years.
Thing is, a sizable element of the Cardinals’ fall from contention the past couple seasons can be attributed to his decreased production, at the plate and in the field. He has a full no-trade clause, but it wouldn’t surprise anyone if he waved that to go to the right team.
Where might that be? Even though he’s not the MVP candidate he used to be – to put it another way, he’s more of a 5-6-7 hitter in the lineup instead of the 3-4 hitter he’s been his entire career – there are a lot of contenders would love to add him at third base for the right price, and that’s why he’s high on our list.
That list certainly starts with the two teams in the Fall Classic, the Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers. How about the Houston Astros if Alex Bregman leaves? The Seattle Mariners, Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers and even Philadelphia Phillies might be interested, too.
Nobody’s going to overbid for Arenado early in the offseason, but the crop of available third basemen is thin – after Bregman, the next-best free agent at the position is either J.D. Davis or Yoan Moncada – which should keep plenty of teams interested.
OF/DH Brent Rooker, The Athletics
- 2024 RV+: 139
- Opening Day Age: 30
The A’s have said they’re not trading Rooker this offseason, but the A’s say a lot of things that prove to be inaccurate. And this is a list of the most fascinating trade candidates, not a list of the players most likely to be traded.
Rooker is one of baseball’s elite power hitters, with 69 homers over the past two seasons despite playing his home games in a park that’s pitcher-friendly. During his 2023 All-Star season, he hit 24 homers with a .969 OPS on the road, as opposed to 15 and .881 at home in a similar number of plate appearances.
Rooker posted an RV+ of 139 with 39 home runs while winning the Silver Slugger at DH this past season. There were only 12 players with at least 500 plate appearances to post an RV+ better than 139 in 2024, and there were only four sluggers with more than 39 homers.
He’s under club control for three more seasons before he’s eligible to hit the free-agent market. With any other franchise, it would make sense to keep him as a gate draw in a new city/ballpark, but it’s the A’s and who are we kidding? Attendance is going to be miserable in Sacramento no matter what.
They might as well trade him now in the hopes of getting a few players who can contribute years down the road when the club is ready to move to Las Vegas (if, y’know, that actually happens).
3B Alec Bohm, Philadelphia Phillies
- 2024 RV+: 127
- Opening Day Age: 28
After back-to-back playoff disappointments, don’t be surprised if the Phillies make significant changes this offseason. Not just a significant addition, but a significant change, as in jettisoning a familiar face (or two). GM Dave Dombrowski is not one to let the status remain quo when failures hinder his chase for a World Series title.
We listed Bohm here, but the same theory applies to second baseman Bryson Stott and center fielder Brandon Marsh. After a great first half, Bohm basically disappeared at the plate after the All-Star break. Stott took a step back offensively in 2024, with just an 89 OPS+. Marsh is a fine player, but he’s far from irreplaceable as the Phillies get creative looking for upgradable positions.
The Phillies have needs after losing to the New York Mets in the NLDS. They could use another starter with postseason upside. They can always use bullpen help. Bohm, by the way, is eligible to become a free agent after the 2026 season; Stott and Marsh reach that status after 2027.
They are all good, solid players who could help a contending team, especially with multiple years of club control. None of the three are essential, though, for a club looking to take that next step in October.
RHP Ryan Helsley, St. Louis Cardinals
- 2024 RV-: 55
- Opening Day Age: 30
Even though 2024 was Helsley’s first full, healthy season as the Cardinals’ No. 1 closer, he’s been one of the best relievers in the bigs the past three seasons. In 167.2 innings, Helsley has a 1.83 ERA/2.35 FIP, with 12.1 strikeouts and only 5.4 hits allowed per nine innings over that span.
In 2024, he led MLB with 49 saves (in 53 opportunities) and gave up only three homers in 65 appearances. He’s elite, by any measure. Helsley is under club control in 2025 and then eligible to become a free agent after the season. The flamethrower isn’t likely to sign an extension with the Cardinals, which means he will be playing for another team at some point in 2025.
The trade market for closers is a little different than it is for other players. Teams enter the offseason – and then spring training – with grand ideas of developing setup men or young pitchers with triple-digit heat into a cheap source of saves, and that absolutely happens on a regular basis. So they’re not always willing to part with a big package of young players, not with options.
But get into the heart of the season, after injuries happen or nobody steps into the role, and all of a sudden contending teams have a much greater sense of urgency when it comes to finding a new closer. It wouldn’t be at all surprising to see the Cardinals hang onto Helsley into the start of the season. It will be rather fascinating to see rumors swirl, though, which is why he’s here.
OF Luis Robert, Jr., Chicago White Sox
- 2024 RV+: 82
- Opening Day Age: 27
Pretty much every other team in baseball would love to buy low on Robert, who is immensely talented but was an immense disappointment in 2024. The question is, will the White Sox actually sell low or will they demand a peak return in a deal? If so, a trade probably is not going to happen.
The outfielder has shown what he can do – he won a Gold Glove as a rookie, batted .338 in 296 PAs in 2021 and hit 38 homers in 2023 – but he spent much of 2024 on the IL and when he was on the field, he played kinda like his team’s historic struggles had zapped most of his talent.
Robert had 14 homers and a career-best 23 stolen bases in his 100 games – he’s only played more than 100 once in the past four seasons – but had just a .278 on-base percentage, and you see that way-below-average RV+.
Robert’s deal includes team options for 2026 and 2027, offering an acquiring club an element of control, but it really comes down to Chicago’s asking price. The Sox don’t want to trade him away based on his 2024 value only to see him become an MVP candidate elsewhere, but nobody’s going to pay a trade premium for him.
It wouldn’t be shocking to see him start the season with the Sox as they bet on a strong start raising his value quickly, so they can trade him after the season starts.
2B Brandon Lowe, Tampa Bay Rays
- 2024 RV+: 127
- Opening Day Age: 30
Lowe has legitimate power. The last time he played a full season, he popped 39 home runs for the Rays. Problem is, that was 2021, and he’s played 65, 109 and 107 games the past three seasons. The power’s still been there – he hit 21 homers each of the past two years – but some of his other numbers have dropped, too.
For example, he had a combined .341 on-base percentage his first four seasons, but that number has been at .317 the past three years. Lowe is a free agent after this season, though, which means he’s almost certainly played his final game with the Tampa Bay franchise. He won’t fetch a huge return, but the Rays have ways of getting the most from returns that don’t initially look overwhelming.
Speaking of the Rays, Lowe is far from the only player who is on the way out. Yandy Diaz is a trade chip, though the 2023 AL batting champ’s numbers took a rather precipitous tumble in 2024, down from a .330 average all the way to .281. Same with his OPS (.932 to .755) and bWAR (5.1 to 1.6).
Reliever Pete Fairbanks would be a nice back-of-the-bullpen arm for a contending team. Zach Littell would be an outstanding piece of a rotation for a contender looking to fill the fourth spot.
LHP Jordan Montgomery, Arizona Diamondbacks
- 2024 RV-: 130
- Opening Day Age: 32
Montgomery would probably rather just forget the past 12 months or so. He went from playoff hero for the World Series-champion Rangers to free-agent holdout, then complete bust for the Diamondbacks (6.23 ERA in 117 innings) and then, finally, called out by Arizona’s owner as his biggest mistake. Just pretty much a disaster all around.
But no matter how much he might feel unwanted in the desert, there was zero chance the lefty starter was turning down that $22.5 million player option for 2025, so now it’s up to the Diamondbacks to move him.
There should be plenty of teams willing to take a chance – he’s still just 32 and could be primed for a bounce-back season with a full spring training – but there also aren’t any teams that will give the Diamondbacks much, in terms of prospects or money.
Arizona is going to have to eat most of that $22.5 million just to move him. Most likely scenario: The D-backs trade him to a non-contending suitor for pennies on the dollar (literally and figuratively), and that team will then hope he rebounds so they can flip him for a nice return at the trade deadline. That’s an entirely plausible – maybe even likely – scenario.
1B Josh Naylor, Cleveland Guardians
- 2024 RV+: 118
- Opening Day Age: 27
Yeah, it seems odd to think the Guardians – who perpetually have struggled to find power in the lineup to go with perennial MVP candidate Jose Ramirez – would trade someone coming off a 31-homer season at first base in 2024.
In the past four seasons (2021-24), only two Cleveland players other than Ramirez have even hit more than 20 homers in a season — Naylor last year and Franmil Reyes with 30 in 2021. But the other eternal truth in Cleveland is that payroll is an issue, and assets aren’t just allowed to expire.
Naylor’s entering his final year of arbitration and could earn up to $12 million in 2025. He won’t get a long-term extension, meaning the Guardians will almost certainly trade him at some point, likely this offseason to maximize value.
Plus, they have a replacement waiting in the wings in Kyle Manzardo, who hit 20 homers with a .398 on-base percentage in 83 Triple-A games last year before getting the call to the bigs.
2B Nolan Gorman, St. Louis Cardinals
- 2024 RV+: 82
- Opening Day Age: 24
It’s entirely possible the Cardinals might go from an MLB-high of two infielders named Nolan to zero players on the roster named Nolan, for wildly different reasons. Arenado is a veteran likely in search of a World Series contender to suit up for, while Gorman is a youngster who needs to prove he can make contact enough to stick in a big-league lineup. Or maybe he just needs a franchise with the patience to give him that opportunity.
Even as the 2024 season dissipated, the Cardinals kept Gorman in the minors for the last month or so. Gorman will never be a Gold Glove-type second baseman, but he’s competent enough in the field, and he was a third baseman his whole career before getting blocked by Arenado. And there’s no doubting his power. Over the past two seasons, Gorman has 47 homers; among players who primarily play second base, only Ketel Marte (61) and Marcus Semien (52) have more.
He does strike out a lot, no doubt. Looking at that same list of second basemen, Gorman’s 299 strikeouts are the most in the bigs, at 299. Zach Gelof (270) is the only other player with more than 234.
Basically, the Cardinals have to decide – and maybe they already have – if they are willing to commit to giving Gorman 600 plate appearances in 2025 to show he can make adjustments at this level and be part of their future, or are they going in a different direction and trading him to a team intrigued with his power potential?
Be sure to check out our MLB and NBA coverage, as well as all our college football and NFL picks. Follow us on X, Threads, Facebook and Instagram for more!