Predicting 14 Blockbuster MLB Trades That Will Happen This Year

Even though we’re only a few weeks into the regular season, there’s no shortage of trade buzz floating throughout MLB. This article will analyze 14 potential trades that could be in play as the year progresses. Will any of these trades turn pretenders into contenders? Additionally, will they enhance ballclubs already on the cusp of World Series contention?

Sandy Alcantara to Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles will not be a legitimate World Series contender unless they upgrade the team’s starting rotation. While Zach Eflin and Cade Povich have been decent thus far, the rest of the staff has been abysmal. The team is eventually hoping Grayson Rodriguez and Kyle Bradish can come back and inject some talent into this paper-thin group. Alcantara has some of the best stuff in the game, and the Orioles’ farm system is flush with talent. Alcantara immediately would be the type of ace that could presumably carry Baltimore through a playoff series.

Chris Bassitt to Chicago Cubs

Losing Justin Steele for the year with an elbow injury was a blow. The Cubs have a solid rotation, though losing Steele now necessitates the need to improve depth within the rotation. Bassitt makes sense as a veteran innings-eater that can give Craig Counsell a credible option every fifth day. Bassitt will be a free agent at the end of the year and shouldn’t cost all that much. As for Toronto, its weak farm system could use more depth.

Luis Castillo to New York Yankees

The Yankees are another club looking to bolster their rotation. This could be a situation where New York becomes a major buyer at the deadline. Seattle seems to be wanting to hold onto Castillo for now. Having said that, if the M’s are on the fringes of playoff contention come July — especially with the pitching depth it already has — the Yankees have enough ammo to offer a package for Castillo that Seattle most likely should take. New York would then get Castillo for the remainder of ’25, and then two more years of control after that.

Luis Robert Jr. to Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers are in a bit of a pickle as it pertains to their CF spot. Andy Pages is naturally a corner outfielder — yet is playing in center out of necessity. It was expected in spring training that Tommy Edman would play center, with Korean acquisition Hye-seong Kim manning the 2B spot. Well, Kim struggled with Major League velocity and has since been sent to AAA to better acclimate to the game stateside. Edman has played a stellar 2B thus far, but Pages has been woeful at the plate and not much better in center. With James Outman and Landon Knack potentially used as trade bait, trying to revive Luis Robert Jr.’s career with a far better situation might be the play here for the Dodgers. As we saw last year, rescuing Michael Kopech from the South Side proved to be highly succcessful.

Brandon Lowe to Kansas City Royals

Tampa Bay is notorious for trading assets before they become too expensive — or depreciate as assets. Lowe is the power hitter within the Rays’ current alignment. He’s got a club option next year worth a reasonable $11.5 million. At only 30 years of age, there should be no shortage of interest in Lowe as potential trade acquisition. The Royals need more pop in their lineup — and Lowe can be a guy they slot at 2B or in the outfield. He’d represent a considerable upgrade over Michael Massey, and he could be a guy to offer further protection for Bobby Witt Jr.

Bo Bichette to Detroit Tigers

All indications have Toronto wanting to re-up with Bichette in the wake of inking Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a monster extension. If the Blue Jays feel like there’s no way the mercurial shortstop will re-sign, Toronto will surely shop him. There will be that one team thinking they can offer Bichette a fresh start for half a season before he walks. Detroit is one of those clubs that could take on Bichette hoping that he’ll be reinvigorated by presumably being in a playoff race. AJ Hinch is great at player development, and there could be some tweaks made to Bichette’s game that unlocks something truly special.

Carlos Correa to Atlanta Braves

Correa’s talent has never been a question. His ability — or…inability — to stay on the field is the big reason why his value has dipped. He’s still under contract for three more years after this one with vesting option years from 2029-2032. Correa is still only 30 years of age even though his time with Houston seems like a century ago. Atlanta does need some help at the SS position. It might not be likely for the Braves to take on this hefty of a deal. Having said that, if they believe in Correa’s talent, they may talk themselves into building an offer for the Twins to mull over.

Ryan Helsley to Philadelphia Phillies

Philadelphia figures to be right in the thick of things in the National League. There’s real possibility the Phillies would square off against representatives from the loaded NL West in postseason play — not to mention the Mets and/or Braves. You can never have too many high-impact arms, which is Helsley makes a ton of sense here. He’s a free agent at the end of the year, and St. Louis likely will want to cash in and nab some difference-makers for its farm system. Helsley has been an elite reliever for the last handful of the years. The package may be steep, but it should be something worth rolling the dice on.

Austin Hays to Los Angeles Angels

The Angels have been one of the surprise stories thus far. Ron Washington is managing a team that brought on a handful of highly-valued veteran players, and it’s resulted in a group with terrific chemistry. The Angels likely won’t break the bank when it comes to acquiring an impact bat at the deadline. Look for LA to operate on the fringes, and Hays would be a wise choice. He’s a free agent at the end of this season, and there’s no guarantee Cincinnati will be contending. Hays would add further depth to the Angels’ outfield while also providing some pop.

Dylan Cease to Texas Rangers

This one may surprise some folks. Cease is a flamethrower with elite stuff. He’s also only 29 years old with the upside of an ace/at-worst No. 2 starter. With that said, why would San Diego trade him? He’s a free agent at the end of this season, and the Padres have multiple bloated contracts already on the books. Michael King is also a free agent at season’s end, and he’s been far more steady comparatively speaking. He’ll also likely cost less than Cease — not to mention the Padres will eventually get Joe Musgrove and Yu Darvish back next season. The Rangers have an aging pitching staff without much in the way of a proven track record health-wise. Even if Cease is procured as a rental, his arrival would help Texas become an even bigger threat in a wide-open American League.

Nolan Arenado to New York Yankees

While it’s very early, Arenado’s positive start has many believing he’ll be dealt sooner than later. The Angels, Tigers, Red Sox, Yankees, and Dodgers theoretically would be good fits. In this situation, the Yankees could use the defense and pop. Arenado is also excellent in the clubhouse. If one of the two West Coast teams come calling, Arenado likely would agree to be directed there — though playing for the Bronx Bombers isn’t a bad consolation prize.

Marcus Stroman to San Francisco Giants

Stroman is off to an awful start in the Bronx. When coupled with a strained relationship pertaining to showing up at Spring Training after everybody else did, the Stroman-Yankees partnership might not be solidified much longer. The Giants appear to be for real at this point in the year — and adding further pitching depth is never a bad thing. Stroman likely won’t cost much to get. He knows how to pitch, and being able to perform at the most pitcher-friendly park in the Big Leagues should result in Stroman seeing an uptick in his effectiveness. This could be one of those low risk/high reward situations for San Francisco.

Kyle Farmer to Boston Red Sox

As a team competing for a World Series, you’ll always need those depth pieces that can pick up a timely hit or provide some veteran leadership in a pinch. Kyle Farmer might not be a household name, but he can be a very valuable addition for a club in contention. Boston would do well to nab Farmer from the Rockies. He’s currently hitting .349 (as of April 14th) for Colorado with an .884 OPS. At 34 years of age, he’s highly experienced and has positional versatility to play all over the diamond. This is the type of low-cost move elite teams make when wanting to further build depth.

Ha-Seong Kim to Cleveland Guardians

Kim inked a 2-year deal with the Rays this offseason. The second year of the deal is a $16 million player option — meaning that Tampa Bay essentially is giving him this year to help reset his value. If he does anything of consequence in 2025, he’ll surely hit the market again. Having said that, he’s still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. Projections have Kim coming back to play for the Rays as soon as May. In classic Tampa Bay form, assuming he flashes the pop he did with the Padres, there will be teams interested. Cleveland won’t have to commit much in the way of money or resources to get him. Kim would fit very well with the Guardians culture of defense, gritty at-bats, and the occasional big fly.