Three 'pie in the sky' MLB trade candidates in 2025

For some MLB clubs, the 2025 season has gone according to plan. But for others, things have fallen off the rails (see the Baltimore Orioles). 

With narratives beginning to crystallize around certain teams and players, let's look at three "pie in the sky" trade candidates who could have a case to be dealt this summer.

RHP Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates 

Skenes isn't hiding his frustrations toward the dysfunctional Pirates (who only recently fired former manager Derek Shelton), and it's leading some in baseball circles to believe the former could be on the way out in Pittsburgh much sooner than anticipated. 

It's understandable that the soon-to-be 23-year-old, who lost his first complete game in a 1-0 Pirates defeat to the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday, would be fed up with making bad history. Skenes' dominance (2.44 ERA in 10 starts so far) deserves to be displayed prominently rather than languish within the confines of PNC Park. 

The All-Star right-hander would be one of the highest-profile trade candidates we've ever seen should the Pirates decide to entertain offers this summer. And they would undoubtedly receive a historic talent package in return. 

2B Jackson Holliday, Baltimore Orioles

Staying with the theme of former No. 1 overall picks, Holliday has completely transformed his game in 2025, with a .787 OPS that more closely resembles his talent.

Despite Holliday's newfound success, though, the Orioles' season has gone sideways thanks to an AL-worst pitching staff that appears to be getting worse with each game. 

It's clear that Baltimore needs pitching badly, but it might also benefit from a reset that could put it on track for 2026, especially as 2025 looks increasingly bleak.

Holliday would represent an intriguing trade piece in that event. He's both young and controllable (which could net some pitching talent in return), yet not necessarily the cornerstone player the Orioles had hoped for. 

INF Luis Arraez, San Diego Padres

There were some rumblings around Arraez, a three-time batting champion in both the American and National League, possibly being traded last offseason. And it might be a good idea for the Padres to revisit that idea again this summer. 

The emergence of Gavin Sheets as a productive regular (.800 OPS in 42 games played) who can play first base leaves Arraez without a clear-cut position in San Diego. Furthermore, utility man Jake Cronenworth is also capable of playing multiple infield positions at a higher level defensively than Arraez. 

It's not clear how much value the Padres could extract for Arraez (he's essentially a one-dimensional player) in a trade, but the fact that there were interested teams last winter suggests that there's still an appetite for the 28-year-old's abilities. And San Diego has done a commendable job of acquiring quality depth in trades over recent years, which has kept it relevant despite openly slashing payroll. 

Plus, who would A.J. Preller be if not an opportunistic baseball executive?