MLB Trade Rumors: Top 5 Trade Candidates (& Potential Destinations)

The season has just begun, but it's never too early to have a look at the top trade candidates for the baseball season. Some of the following won't be traded until the deadline in July, but for others, a change of address could come much sooner.

We look at the top 5 trade candidates for the 2025 season:

1. Luis Robert Jr., Chicago White Sox

Even Robert himself admitted that he was surprised that he wasn't traded during the winter, but there's no doubt that he will be dealt. As insider Robert Murray noted on his Baseball Insiders podcast, "he is going to be incredibly coveted."

With a ton of power and blazing speed, the 28-year-old outfielder will be traded, it's just a question of when. Murray says the Atlanta Braves make an ideal landing spot.

2. Sandy Alcantara, Miami Marlins

"I think he's a tremendous candidate to be moved," said Murray. The 2022 Cy Young winner is coming back from missing all of last season due to Tommy John surgery, but he's healthy now, and looked very good this spring.

The 29-year-old also has a reasonable contract, at just $17 million this year and next, plus a $21 million club option for 2027.

Murray projects the Boston Red Sox to swoop in and land Alcantara.

3. Dylan Cease, San Diego Padres

The other huge name on the starter's trade market this year, Cease will be a free agent after the 2025 season, and with the Padres looking to trim payroll, a massive extension is not in the offing. But if the Padres stay in the mix for strong playoff positioning, it'll be interesting to see if they actually pull the trigger and trade their best pitcher. Names like the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs have surfaced over the offseason as potential suitors.

4. Ryan Helsley, St. Louis Cardinals

One of, if not THE, top closer in the game, the hard-throwing right-hander locked down a major league-leading 49 games last season. But the Cardinals are into a rebuild, and Helsley would land them a big haul. He's a free agent at season's end and the Cards have no need to re-sign him to a huge contract at this point in their development. The Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies are two potential landing spots, always looking to improve their bullpens.

5. Erick Fedde, St. Louis Cardinals

Likewise, Fedde will also be a free agent, and at age 32, St. Louis won't be re-signing him. He had a terrific year last season in his return from Korea, and he'll fetch a nice return for the Cards if he can repeat that in the first couple of months of the season.