Top 5 most likely trade candidates during MLB offseason

Free agency receives most of the attention during the MLB offseason as teams look to supplement their rosters. However, the trade market could be active due to a relatively weak free-agent class. Let's take a look at the five players who are most likely to be traded.

1. Second baseman Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks

Although several solid second basemen are available in free agency, Marte could be the best option. He has seemingly burned bridges with the organization after disappearing during a critical August series against the Red Sox, and the fan base has grown tired of his antics. 

Marte had a down year by his standards in 2026, posting a .249/.316/.432 batting line with 22 homers and 31 doubles in his 624 plate appearances, but has a strong track record of offensive production. He will also earn his 10-5 rights (10 years in the majors, five in Arizona) in April, at which point he could refuse any trade. If the Diamondbacks are going to move on from Marte, it will have to be this offseason.

2. Outfielder Jarren Duran, Boston Red Sox

On the positive side, Duran posted his second 20+ home run/20+ stolen base season in his career. That was about the only positive to come from his 2026 campaign, as he posted a miserable .207/.266/.361 batting line in 608 plate appearances, with his .627 OPS as the worst mark in MLB history for any player to post a 20/20 season.

As is the case with Marte, Duran has received far more attention for his antics, both on and off the field. Duran has been a frequent subject of trade rumors over the past couple of years. As the Red Sox have a glut of outfielders, Duran could finally be on the move this offseason.

3. Infielder Isaac Paredes, Houston Astros

Paredes had been the subject of trade rumors during the 2025-26 offseason. He had been an All-Star in 2025, but an injury led to the Astros reacquiring infielder Carlos Correa, leaving Paredes without a consistent spot in the lineup. Correa was then lost for the season with a torn tendon in his left ankle, giving Paredes his spot back at third base.

While the Astros exercised their $13.35 million team option on Paredes for 2027, he is slated to reach free agency after the season. Paredes also does not have a set place in the Astros lineup. His ability to slot around the infield, coupled with his solid .259/.356/.451 batting line with 45 homers and 42 doubles in 1,097 plate appearances over the last two seasons, would make Paredes a coveted player on the trade block.

4. Pitcher Reid Detmers, Los Angeles Angels

The Angels finally began their long overdue rebuilding process at the 2026 MLB trade deadline. Detmers and fellow pitcher Jose Soriano were frequently mentioned in trade rumors, though only Soriano would end up being dealt away before the deadline. 

Detmers could follow this offseason. He had a strong showing in his return to the rotation in 2026, posting a 3.36 ERA and a 1.038 WHIP over a career-high 211 batters with 48 walks. Detmers has two more years of team control left, and if he can build off his breakout 2026 season, he could be an emerging top-of-the-rotation starter at a relative discount.

5. Outfielder Trevor Larnach, Minnesota Twins

Larnach had theoretically been traded already — he was reportedly heading to Houston for reliever Bryan Abreu before Astros owner Jim Crane vetoed the deal. While Larnach would have given the Astros the lefty bat they needed to balance the lineup, he stayed in Minnesota for the rest of the season, posting a solid .269/.352/.436 batting line with 13 homers and 23 doubles in his 433 plate appearances.

Larnach is purely a platoon bat — he has a .209/.273/.310 batting line with six homers and 15 doubles in his 360 plate appearances against left-handed pitching. However, he is slated to reach free agency after the season, and the Twins have several promising outfield prospects on the cusp of the majors. Larnach may not be a difference-maker, but he would be a solid option for a team looking to improve their outfield.