10 AL players who could be traded this winter

In this two-part series, we identify 10 players who could be dealt in each league this offseason and rate their likelihood of being traded.

10 NL players who could be traded this winter

Tarik Skubal, Tigers, SP

Remaining contract: Final year of arb
Trade probability: ★★★
Potential fits: Mets, Dodgers, Yankees, Phillies, Red Sox, Mariners, Cubs, Giants

There is no bigger name in offseason trade rumors after Skubal won back-to-back Cy Youngs and helped his team reach the playoffs in consecutive seasons. It would be wise for Detroit to extend the left-hander and make him a Tiger for life, but he's expected to seek one of the richest pitcher contracts in baseball history. Instead of paying him, Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris might choose to capitalize on Skubal's success before Opening Day rather than wait for the trade deadline. If the Tigers were to deal their ace before the season began, they'd need to get a massive haul similar to the one the Padres received when they traded Juan Soto and Trent Grisham to the Yankees.

Corey Seager, Rangers, SS

Remaining contract: 6 years, $189M
Trade probability: ★
Potential fits: Yankees, Dodgers, Blue Jays, Tigers, Braves

Just over two years ago, Seager and the Rangers hoisted the Commissioner's Trophy, but things are changing in Texas. The club traded Marcus Semien after non-tendering three other members of the 2023 championship team, and suddenly Seager's name has surfaced in trade rumors. When healthy, Seager is one of the top performers in the league, but he's appeared in more than 123 games just four times in his career and only once with the Rangers. His hefty salary is also a hurdle, but a player of his caliber is an intriguing trade option since this year's free-agent shortstop class lacks impact beyond Bo Bichette.

Byron Buxton, Twins, OF

Remaining contract: 3 years, $45.4M
Trade probability: ★★★
Potential fits: Braves, Mets, Padres, Phillies

The Twins appear likely to continue their teardown after July's fire sale. This would make Buxton a perfect trade candidate given what's left on his deal and the fact he's coming off a stellar season after appearing in the second-most games of his career. However, Buxton holds all the cards thanks to his full no-trade protection and has expressed interest in finishing his career in Minnesota. He recently said he'd be open to waiving his no-trade clause if the Twins continue to offload talent, so a move isn't completely out of the question.

Joe Ryan, Twins, SP

Remaining contract: 2nd-year arb (FA after 2027)
Trade probability: ★★★★
Potential fits: Red Sox, Giants, Astros, Blue Jays, Yankees, Orioles

Ryan is another Twin who could be on the move before Opening Day. The right-hander has proven to be a valuable commodity over the past three campaigns and is under team control for two more seasons. The 29-year-old is very appealing to teams on the hunt for starting pitching thanks to a projected arbitration salary of $5.8 million for the upcoming season. The Red Sox showed strong interest in Ryan at the trade deadline and continue to be linked to him this offseason.

Jarren Duran, Red Sox, OF

Remaining contract: 2nd-year arb (FA after 2028)
Trade probability: ★★
Potential fits: Padres, Phillies, Dodgers, Royals

Duran accumulated 10.7 fWAR over the past two years and is one of the most electric players in MLB. So why has he been on the trade block since last season? The answer is a crowded Boston outfield that includes budding star Roman Anthony. The Red Sox could find more at-bats for Duran, Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Wilyer Abreu if they offloaded Masataka Yoshida's contract, but trading Duran might be an easier way for them to land a return that helps address their starting pitching needs.

Steven Kwan, Guardians, OF

Remaining contract: 2nd-year arb (FA after 2027)
Trade probability: ★★★
Potential fits: Dodgers, Blue Jays, Padres, Phillies, Royals

Kwan is a terrific player whose arbitration figure might price him out of Cleveland following four consecutive seasons where he accrued three or more fWAR. His high contact rate, low strikeout total, and elite defense make him a perfect fit for a number of teams - including the Blue Jays and Dodgers, both of whom were connected to him before last season's trade deadline.

Yandy Díaz, Rays, 1B/DH

Remaining contract: 1 year, $12M
Trade probability: ★★★★
Potential fits: Mets, Red Sox, Padres, Yankees, D-Backs, Giants, Pirates

Díaz is coming off of another productive season where he set career highs in homers, RBIs, and games played. He's been valuable over his seven seasons in Tampa, but his $12-million price tag also makes him a trade candidate. A number of teams would be interested in the veteran slugger. His wRC+ last season was on par with Kyle Tucker and Bichette, both of whom are expected to receive huge contracts this winter.

Brandon Lowe, Rays, 2B

Remaining contract: 1 year, $11.5M
Trade probability: ★★★★
Potential fits: Astros, Guardians, Royals, Dodgers, Blue Jays, Giants

Lowe is in a similar position to Díaz. His salary may be too expensive for the Rays, even though he performed at a high level for them once again last season. Lowe has also been one of the top second basemen in recent years when healthy. Since 2021, he ranks first in isolated power, third in homers and wRC+, and sixth in RBIs. This should put him on the radar of clubs that aren't interested in signing Jorge Polanco or trading for Ketel Marte.

Pablo López, Twins, SP

Remaining contract: 2 years, $43.5M
Trade probability: ★★★★
Potential fits: Orioles, Giants, Dodgers, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Mets

The Twins are reportedly more likely to trade López than Ryan as they continue to explore ways to reshape their roster this offseason. The right-hander was terrific for the Twins before ending last year on the injured list with a forearm strain, posting a staff-best 2.74 ERA in 14 starts. He comes with the same club control as Ryan, but his salary over that span is far more expensive. Still, $21.75 million per season is less than the qualifying offers Shota Imanaga and Brandon Woodruff signed, and they both have similar career numbers to López but are older (he'll turn 30 in March).

Adley Rutschman, Orioles, C

Remaining contract: 2nd-year arb (FA after 2027)
Trade probability: ★
Potential fits: Rangers, Guardians, Phillies, Mets, Padres

Rutschman looked like a foundational piece for the Orioles and one of the best young players in the league during his first two seasons, but his numbers have nosedived since. Although Baltimore intends to begin the campaign with Rutschman as its starting catcher, moving him would allow the club to get more of a look at Samuel Basallo in an everyday role after inking the younger backstop to an eight-year extension in August.