All-Trade Rumor Team: One at each position who could be on the move
Mark Feinsand
@feinsandJust as Shohei Ohtani¡¯s free agency was the top story of last winter, the Juan Soto sweepstakes surely will be the headliner of this Hot Stove season.
But executives at this month¡¯s General Managers Meetings began to get the feeling that the trade market may provide as much intrigue as the free agents will during the coming weeks and months.
Last offseason, the Yankees made a blockbuster deal for Soto and traded for Alex Verdugo, the Dodgers acquired Tyler Glasnow, the Braves traded for Chris Sale, the Orioles made a big move to add Corbin Burnes and the Padres did the same to acquire Dylan Cease. All those moves helped shape the 2024 postseason picture.
For the seventh consecutive year, MLB.com has put together an All-Trade Rumor Team -- one position at a time -- looking at the key players whose names figure to be staples on the trade market in the coming months.
SP: Garrett Crochet, White Sox
Crochet was one of the most talked-about players not to be dealt at the Trade Deadline, as the White Sox chose to hold on to their ace during his breakout season. There was concern about his innings count in the second half, which might have given some suitors pause, but that won¡¯t be an issue during the offseason.
Buzz factor: High
Crochet is considered the most likely candidate in baseball to be moved this winter, as aces with two years of eligibility for salary arbitration don¡¯t come around often. Chicago should be able to find a number of clubs willing to pony up significant prospect packages for the 25-year-old left-hander.
RP: Devin Williams, Brewers
Milwaukee declined a $10.5 million club option for 2025, but Williams remains under club contractual control in his final year of arbitration eligibility. Given the Brewers¡¯ annual payroll situation, it¡¯s possible they could look to move their closer with only one year remaining until he becomes a free agent. Trevor Megill filled in admirably as the closer for the first half of the season, so Milwaukee knows it has a Plan B if Williams is traded.
Buzz factor: Medium
Brewers general manager Matt Arnold said he will ¡°stay open-minded¡± when it comes to a potential trade of Williams. So while there¡¯s no indication as of now that the Brewers plan to move him, it could eventually be in play.
C: Christian V¨¢zquez, Twins
Minnesota is expected to trim payroll this offseason. With Ryan Jeffers under club contractual control for two more years, dealing V¨¢zquez and his $10 million salary wouldn¡¯t be a surprise. The 34-year-old has been unable to repeat his breakout 2019 season at the plate, but he remains a solid defender who can handle a pitching staff.
Buzz factor: Medium
Clubs seeking help behind the plate won¡¯t have a ton of options. If the Twins are open to paying down part of the final year of V¨¢zquez¡¯s contract or include a prospect in a trade, he could be on the move this winter. Minnesota could also opt to move Jeffers to address other roster needs.
1B: Yandy D¨ªaz, Rays
D¨ªaz took a step backward following his 2023 All-Star campaign, though he posted a slash line of .297/.355/.447 after May 1. The 33-year-old¡¯s Statcast numbers also show he¡¯s still capable of a big year. D¨ªaz ranked in the top 15% in average exit velocity, hard-hit percentage, squared-up percentage, chase percentage, whiff percentage and strikeout percentage.
Buzz factor: Medium
D¨ªaz¡¯s name was mentioned in multiple rumors prior to the Trade Deadline in July. With a $10 million salary and $12 million club option for 2026 (with no buyout), he could be an attractive option for teams seeking corner-infield help.
2B: Brandon Lowe, Rays
As with D¨ªaz, Lowe¡¯s salary makes him a candidate to be moved by the Rays. The 30-year-old has missed more than 50 games in each of the past two seasons but managed to hit 21 home runs in both years. The Rays exercised their $10.5 million contract option for 2025, but they could look to move Lowe to free up payroll or address other areas of the roster.
Buzz factor: Low
Lowe¡¯s contract also includes an $11.5 million club option for 2026, giving an acquiring team two years of control at that price. D¨ªaz appears to be the more likely player for the Rays to move. But if freeing up payroll is a priority, a Lowe trade can¡¯t be counted out.
SS: Bo Bichette, Blue Jays
Bichette had the worst season of his career, as injuries limited him to 81 games, during which he posted a .599 OPS and only four home runs. His salary jumps to $16.5 million in 2025, after which he¡¯s eligible for free agency.
Buzz factor: Low
Toronto plans to give it another run with Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. before the pair become free agents. But even if the Blue Jays decide to shake things up, Bichette¡¯s poor season makes it unlikely that they would get proper value in return prior to the season. If Toronto¡¯s season goes awry, he could be a midseason trade candidate.
3B: Ryan McMahon, Rockies
Colorado declined to make McMahon available at the Trade Deadline. But with its rebuild seemingly in the beginning stages and not many tradable assets, moving the third baseman might be the best way to add young talent this winter.
Buzz factor: Low
The Rockies aren¡¯t typically ones to shake up the trade market, but McMahon has three years and $44 million remaining on his six-year, $70 million contract, a nice price for a 29-year-old who has hit at least 20 home runs in each of his past five full seasons.
OF: Luis Robert Jr., White Sox
It was somewhat surprising that the White Sox didn¡¯t deal Robert in July. Following their 121-loss season, the rebuild figures to kick into high gear. Robert had a disappointing season, hitting 14 home runs with 35 RBIs and a .657 OPS in 100 games, so Chicago could wait until next season and hope he gets off to a good start before trading him.
Buzz factor: Medium
Nothing is off the table on the South Side this winter, as general manager Chris Getz has a tall task ahead of him to get the White Sox back to respectability. Robert is signed for $15 million in 2025, with club options in 2026 and ¡¯27 ($20 million each with $2 million buyouts). It remains to be seen whether he can bounce back to his 2023 All-Star form.
OF: Nick Castellanos, Phillies
Philadelphia considered trading Castellanos last winter, but there were no takers for the three years and $60 million left on his contract. With two years and $40 million remaining, Philadelphia could find a team in need of a power bat, especially after Castellanos¡¯ strong second half (10 home runs, 39 RBIs, .839 OPS in 66 games).
Buzz factor: Medium
Although he¡¯s headed into his 13th big league season, Castellanos will turn only 33 in March. He played 162 games this season -- 157 of them in right field -- and has been sturdy throughout his career. The Phillies could look to change the look of their lineup, which has had too much chase and swing-and-miss in recent years.
OF: Taylor Ward, Angels
The Angels dealt their impending free agents at the Trade Deadline, but GM Perry Minasian chose to hold on to players signed through 2025 and beyond. Ward is eligible for arbitration for two more years, and after setting career highs with 25 home runs and 75 RBIs, the 30-year-old should have value on the trade market this offseason.
Buzz factor: Medium
Ward isn¡¯t the type of player who will change a franchise¡¯s fortunes, but he can make a legitimate impact on an already solid lineup. The Angels could capitalize on the club contractual control to import more young talent into the organization.
DH: Brent Rooker, Athletics
You might not have noticed it, but Rooker was one of MLB¡¯s best offensive players in 2024, belting 39 home runs with 112 RBIs and a .927 OPS in 145 games. The Athletics are still in the rebuilding phase, so capitalizing on Rooker¡¯s past two seasons -- he has 69 homers with an .876 OPS since joining the club in 2023 -- would be a logical move this offseason.
Buzz factor: Medium
Rooker recently turned 30, yet he is arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter, giving any potential acquiring club three years of contractual control. That¡¯s the type of player who can bring back a sizable return for a young club like the Athletics. Although GM David Forst recently said he has no plans to move Rooker, an overwhelming offer could always make him change his mind.