We are getting to that point in the MLB offseason where things begin to heat up. Big signings are expected to come right after Thanksgiving, but that’s not all. Big-name players will be traded as well, and these four players have had rumors swirling around them since the offseason began, and even dating back to last season’s trade deadline:
SP Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers
Skubal is coming off his second straight unbelievable season, which also led to him winning his second consecutive AL Cy Young Award. Why would the Tigers trade a player of that quality, you might ask? Well, Skubal is set to become a free agent after the 2026 season, and the Tigers know that they will likely be outbid for his services on the open market. Rather than lose him and only receive a compensatory draft pick, they can trade him now for a massive package of young, big league-ready talent.
OF Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres
He is one of the most electrifying players in MLB when he is healthy. Almost every team around the league will be interested in acquiring him, and the Padres have had recent success when trading away a star player. They got a massive haul for Juan Soto a couple of years ago from the Yankees, which allowed them to shed salary that they then spent in other areas, and furthermore, they received plenty of young talent that they still have on the roster and an ace pitcher in Michael King, who they would like to bring back via free agency. Trading away Tatis Jr. would net the Padres a massive amount of value and give them salary cap flexibility to make multiple improvements to their team.
OF Jarren Duran, Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox are loaded in the farm, loaded at the big league level, and they have received plenty of trade interest regarding their star OF Jarren Durran. They have a crowded outfield as well with Duran, Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Wilyer Abreu. Their number 3 prospect, Jhostynxon Garcia, is considered to be big league ready as well, which means they have too many players for the available spots. Even if they wanted to DH one of those four outfielders, they also have Masataka Yoshida still on the roster, who crowds things even more. Duran makes the most money of all the players listed here and has the most trade value of the bunch, other than Roman Anthony, who is definitely not being traded. Not only could the Red Sox free up playing time for their younger players, but they could also create cap space and get a great player/pitcher in return for Duran in a trade.
C Sean Murphy, Atlanta Braves
Murphy is one of the most obvious trade candidates this offseason. Not only is the free agent catcher market very shallow this offseason, but Murphy is also still owed $45 million over the next three seasons, and the Braves have reigning NL Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin, who is ready to take on an every-day catching role. Trading Murphy would give the Braves cash to spend, open up the everyday role for Baldwin, and allow them to sell a player in a buyer’s market.
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