The most likely trade candidate from every MLB team

Suarez has been a revelation for the Diamondbacks this season, rebounding to approach 30 home runs again after a slow start. His $15 million team option for 2025 would appear to be a no-brainer, but Arizona has hotshot prospect Jordan Lawlar reading in waiting. Arizona has a chance to improve an area of need by moving Suarez.

Ozuna has become a team leader and elite hitter for the Braves, showing elite power in back-to-back seasons. Even as a DH, Ozuna's $16 million team option for 2025 is a formality. However, the Braves acquired Jorge Soler at this year's trade deadline, and would be well-advised to move him off the field due to his poor outfield defense. The risk of keeping Ozuna increases in his mid-30s, so it would be a good time to move him. 

Mullins has had his ups and downs over the last two seasons as his on-base percentage has plunged. He remains viable in center field, but the Orioles have an excess in the outfield with more prospects coming. The center fielder has one more year of arbitration eligibility before free agency, and Baltimore can save money by moving him.

Boston faces a pivotal offseason with great depth at several positions, led by the middle infield. Their options for 2025 include Hamilton, Trevor Story, Vaughn Grissom, and Enmanuel Valdez, as well as top prospects Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell. It's only a matter of time before some of their young middle infielders are moved, and Hamilton is a top candidate. The speedster emerged in 2024, but could fall out of favor as the team looks to play other names with more upside.

Taillon had a bounceback season in 2024, posting a sub-4.00 ERA for most of the year. He still has two years, $36 million left on his contract, but that could be seen as a reasonable sum by teams searching for pitching. The Cubs are loaded with pitching in the upper minors, and could opt to move Taillon for bullpen help.

Returning from Tommy John surgery, Crochet had a breakout year for the White Sox as an All-Star. He was rumored to be available at the trade deadline, but teams likely pulled back interest due to Crochet's workload concerns. He remains two years away from free agency, and would be an attractive addition as a potential ace. The historically bad White Sox can continue to revamp their farm system by moving Crochet.

Plagued by injuries in 2024, Fraley had a down year after a career-best season in 2023. He's arbitration-eligible with two years until free agency, but the Reds have a wealth of corner outfield options heading into next season. Fraley is a trade target in the offseason as the team searches for pitching help.

Gimenez remains one of the league's best defensive second basemen, but his offense has dwindled over the last two years. The first overall 2024 draft choice Travis Bazzana could be ready quickly, and his future is likely at second base. Shortstop could be an option for Gimenez, though a trade also isn't out of the realm of possibility for the crafty Guardians. A huge contract that runs through at least 2029 complicates any deal, but Cleveland could at least entertain the possibility of a trade.

Rebounding from an injury-plagued 2023 season, Rodgers stayed healthy for most of 2024 and saw his power rebound. Unfortunately, he still hasn't had the breakout offensive season that many expected as a former top prospect, but Rodgers' great defense and offensive upside makes him a viable trade option. Colorado could look to move Rodgers prior to his walk year, with top prospect Adael Amador waiting in the wings.

The first season of Maeda's two-year contract in Detroit has been a nightmare, with the 36-year-old right-hander showing signs of decline. It won't be easy for the Tigers to move the $10 million remaining on his contract after Maeda struggled in a swingman role this season, but the team could do a contract swap as they look for depth in other areas.

After a breakout 2023 season, McCormick would like to forget this season finishing with a .576 OPS. Houston would be selling low on the 29-year-old, but he's a non-tender candidate with a limited path to playing time in Houston. McCormick is one year removed from hitting 22 home runs, so the team could find a taker.

A converted catcher, Melendez's offensive progress has stalled after emerging as a top minor league prospect. Over three seasons, he's struggled to get on base to the point that a competing team like the Royals can ill-afford to keep giving him playing time in an outfield corner. KC has limited minor league ammunition to improve their MLB roster, so Melendez could be their most attractive trade candidate.

The Angels held Anderson at the trade deadline despite his resurgent success this season. The lefty has one year remaining on his contract, and appears out of place on a rebuilding roster seeing a youth movement. Anderson is the antithesis of the modern starting pitcher as a soft-tosser who is beginning to show durability, and could have an attractive profile as a backend starter for a contender.

Muncy continues to launch long balls, but he's more of a defensive liability at third base with each passing year. That's a problem for the Dodgers, who are more than happy with Shohei Ohtani at DH and Freddie Freeman at first base. Muncy is extremely well-liked in LA, but it could be best for team and player if he's moved off third base. The Dodgers could net a viable return with two years and $24.5 million left on Muncy's deal.

The oft-injured Luzardo was a popular trade name this year, but another injury kept him off the trade block at the deadline. Miami could revisit the possibility in the offseason, with Luzardo facing arbitration and two years until free agency. Despite his 5.00 ERA in 12 starts this season, the lefty shows big upside with a sub-4.00 ERA and strong strikeout numbers the previous two seasons.

Hoskins rebounded from a torn ACL in Milwaukee this season, though some inconsistency at the plate made his OPS hover around .700 down the stretch. That's not viable for a regular first baseman, and the Brewers have a strong replacement candidate in Tyler Black. Given the struggles, Hoskins seems likely to exercise his $18 million player option for next season, but that shouldn't deter the Brewers from trying to move him.

Even with Max Kepler facing free agency, the Twins have a glut of first base and corner outfield candidates entering the offseason. That leaves the oft-injured Kirilloff in no man's land as he tries to prove he can stay healthy. It was another frustrating season for Kirilloff, limited to only 57 games, but the former first-round pick could be seen as a strong flier for a rebuilding team.

The rumors of the Mets pursuing superstar outfielder Juan Soto this offseason are rampant. If the Mets sign Soto or another starting-quality outfielder, they will have one too many entering 2025. That makes Marte a trade candidate entering the final year of his contract. Marte is clearly on the backend of his career, struggling with health and performance in the last two years, but the Mets haven't been shy about eating money to move players.

Age has taken its toll on LeMahieu, who was mired in a terrible slump after returning from injury in 2024. He remains a favorite of manager Aaron Boone, but the path to playing time has likely dried up after the Yankees added Jazz Chisholm at the deadline. New York will have to eat money to trade LeMahieu at age 36 with two years, $30 million remaining on his contract, but it could be best for the player.

Rooker has gone from journeyman to superstar over the last two seasons, finally seeing his top prospect status come to fruition in the majors. His numbers in 2024 have been clear MVP-level, but Rooker is also going on age 30. He's arbitration-eligible with three years of club control remaining, so the A's could net a large return by trading him as they embark on a temporary move to Sacramento.

Walker has had a rough go since signing a four-year deal with the Phils last year. He was injured for much of 2024 and struggled when he did pitch, and the team might not want to guarantee him a rotation spot next year with top prospect Andrew Painter returning from injury. Philadelphia could opt to eat some of the two years, with $36 million remaining on Walker's deal to move him elsewhere.

Things can change very quickly in MLB, as Suwinski has seen this season. He's quickly gone from building block to seemingly out of the team's plans this season, as Suwinski has struggled in Pittsburgh and Triple-A. With the team moving Oneil Cruz to center field down the stretch, Suwinski's position is in doubt. It could be time for the Pirates to give him a change of scenery, and there will be takers after he hit 26 home runs in 2023.

Padres baseball ops head A.J. Preller has never been shy about wheeling and dealing, as he did early this season when he acquired Arraez from Miami. He had another strong season at the plate, but Arraez's value is overstated with minimal power and poor defense. Preller could opt to flip Arraez again heading into his walk year, with only DH open in San Diego.

Schmitt got his second taste of the majors this season, but he was mostly stuck raking at Triple-A. The former top prospect has proven all he can in the minors, with elite infield defense and plus pop. Unfortunately, his future in San Francisco looks bleak after the team re-signed Matt Chapman and saw Tyler Fitzgerald emerge as shortstop. The lack of a free position makes Schmitt a top trade candidate.

Haniger is a fan favorite in Seattle for his body of work as a Mariner, but the 33-year-old has seen better days. He struggled at the plate for the second straight year, and is very likely to exercise his $15.5 million option. After adding Randy Arozarena, the Mariners don't have a spot for Haniger to see the field and lack much need for a right-handed outfielder on the bench. He could be swapped for another bad contract in the offseason.

The Cardinals could face huge changes this offseason after their second consecutive disappointing year. Ownership has implied they won't be upping payroll, which puts the team in a tough spot with players due for raises like Helsley. The flamethrowing closer is likely to see a huge year in his first year of arbitration but could net a strong return as an All-Star closer.

The thrifty Rays started to move out some of their veterans hitters this season, and Diaz could be next. He had another strong year in 2024 but showed signs of decline at age 32, with an OBP that plummeted. Tampa Bay has several replacement candidates at first base, led by Jonathan Aranda, while Diaz's contract remains reasonable for another team to take it on due $10 million next season with a $12 million team option in 2026.

Even as the Rangers are likely to lose Max Scherzer this offseason, their starting rotation is in a great place with the returns of Jacob deGrom and Tyler Mahle, plus the emergence of top prospects Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker. They could trade from their position of strength, with Gray a strong possibility to be moved. He had a disappointing 2024 season with a 4.47 ERA over 102.2 innings, but the underlying metrics showed better performance. Gray's $13 million due next season is reasonable, and could net the team a nice return.

The Jays face a pivotal offseason with Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. entering their walk years. The team sounds committed to keeping Guerrero around, but Bichette's future is less clear. He struggled in 2024, and the team's replacement candidates have shined late in the year while Bichette has been injured. Toronto would be selling low, but it could be time to move Bichette.

Washington has been resistant to move Finnegan at consecutive trade deadlines, but this offseason could finally be the time. The rebuilding Nats have an arbitration-eligible closer entering his walk year, and probably aren't quite ready to compete unless ownership is aggressive during the offseason. After emerging as an All-Star this season, Finnegan could be a valuable trade piece.