The Major League Baseball offseason has already seen one big-time trade. The Boston Red Sox traded for Sonny Gray. Plenty of other star players could also be on the move in what figures to be another busy offseason in MLB.
Freddy Peralta – Peralta’s $8 million club option was picked up by the Milwaukee Brewers this offseason. However, the two-time All-Star just had a career year and is set up to be paid next offseason. The Brewers have not historically given out the kind of contract Peralta will command. In fact, they have traded pitchers a year before they hit the market. They did so with Corbin Burnes, Josh Hader and Devin Williams in recent years. Matt Arnold has noted he anticipates Peralta being on the team, but he left the door open for a trade. He could help any team’s rotation, but it may take an overpay to get the Brewers to deal him coming off a stellar season and returning all of their key players. Prediction: Peralta is not traded this offseason.
Alec Bohm – Bohm was at the center of plenty of trade rumors last offseason. He was coming off the best season of his career, being named an All-Star for the first time. He had another good season this year, but his OPS dropped by 38 points from 2024. He is a year away from free agency, and the Phillies could be in search of a big bat. Replacing Bohm with one of the big third basemen on the open market would not be a bad move. Plenty of teams could use help at third base, and Bohm would be an upgrade for many teams. Prediction: Bohm is traded to the Chicago Cubs. Matt Shaw was inconsistent as a rookie, and the Cubs may be losing Kyle Tucker. They will need help on offense and Bohm could provide that.
Sandy Alcántara – Sandy Alcántara won the National League Cy Young Award in 2022 and is a two-time All-Star. Alcantara struggled in 2023, missed all of 2024 and was not great last season, coming off Tommy John surgery. He has two more years of club control and started to show flashes of his former self. He had a 2.68 ERA in his final eight starts and went at least six innings in each of those starts, showing signs of being the workhorse he was in 2022. He could be a high-risk, high-reward addition for any team. Prediction: Alcántara is traded to the New York Yankees. The Yankees already have a strong rotation. Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, Cam Schlittler and Luis Gil are a strong group, but Alcántara pitching like he did at the end of the year would be better than most of them.
Edward Cabrera – Alcántara is not the only pitcher the Marlins will be getting calls about. Cabrera had the healthiest year of his career and pitched to a 3.53 ERA. He struck out 150 batters as well. However, he is only 27 and has four more years of club control. It could take a haul to land him, and the Marlins may want to squeeze another year out of him. Prediction: Cabrera stays in Miami for now, but is traded to the San Diego Padres at the trade deadline. The San Diego Padres already lost Dylan Cease and could also lose Michael King. Their offense is good enough to keep them in contention and they could be looking for pitchers at the deadline.
Tarik Skubal – Skubal’s name is already floating around in trade rumors. He and Paul Skenes both won Cy Young Awards last season and both have been mentioned in trade rumors. However, rumors of Skubal being dealt have a little more traction. He is one year away from free agency and he and the Detroit Tigers are reportedly far apart in contract negotiations. The back-to-back Cy Young Award winner has a case to be the highest paid pitcher in baseball. The biggest contract the Tigers have ever given out was a 10-year, $292 million extension to Miguel Cabrera. Skubal could demand north of $400 million. Prediction: Skubal is traded to Seattle Mariners. The Mariners have a talented team, but have failed to get over the hump. Skubal would be a difference maker in their already stacked rotation.
Jarren Duran – Duran was a hot name at the deadline, and the Boston Red Sox already have a surplus in the outfield. Ceddanne Rafaela and Roman Anthony are not going anywhere. Wilyer Abreu is a two-time Gold Glover and is younger than Duran as well. Duran, a former All-Star, is a streaky hitter and would be an upgrade for many teams in the outfield. He has multiple years of club control and could help the Red Sox improve in other spots. Prediction: Duran is traded to the San Diego Padres. The Padres reportedly wanted Duran at the deadline, but couldn’t get a deal done. However, now that the Red Sox know Anthony will likely be an everyday player, they may be more willing to deal Duran.
Steven Kwan – Like Duran, Kwan’s name was floated around at the trade deadline. He is not a power bat, but plays elite defense and has great contact skills. The four-time Gold Glover is a two-time All-Star and has a .281 career batting average. His home run numbers have seen an uptick in the last two years, but it’s not what he’s known for. Prediction: Kwan is traded to the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies need help in the outfield. They acquired Harrison Bader at the trade deadline, who is now a free agent. Nick Castellanos is expected to be traded or released, leaving the Phillies in need of outfielders who can produce at the plate.
Photo: Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal could be traded this offseason. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
