As if all the awards and free agents weren’t enough, we now have crazy trade rumors swirling around. Many of them are outlandish, like the Padres trading Fernando Tatis Jr, while others are likely (Jarren Duran or Wilyer Abreu).
By no means do I think Tarik Skubal will actually be traded. He has spoken recently about being frustrated by the rumors, and frankly, there is no reason for the Tigers to trade him. They were one of the best teams in baseball last year, and could easily make a run again. If you get to July and it is clear that you don’t have the talent, trade him then.
There is no real ranking for this Top 10; I tried to keep it in order of probability, but these things are impossible to predict.
1. MacKenzie Gore – LHP
2025 Stats: 30 GS, 4.17 ERA, 185 K, 1.35 WHIP
Current Team: Washington Nationals
Interested Teams: Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs
My Prediction: Traded to Chicago Cubs
2. Sonny Gray – RHP
2025 Stats: 30 GS, 4.28 ERA, 180.2 IP, 201 K
Current Team: St. Louis Cardinals
Interested Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies
My Prediction: Traded to Philadelphia Phillies
3. Jarren Duran/Wilyer Abreu
Note: I think the same teams will be interested in both players. Of course, only one will be traded, but my prediction remains the same.
2025 Stats: Duran-.256 AVG, 16 HR, 84 RBI, .774 OPS… Abreu .247 AVG, 22 HR, 69 RBI, .786 OPS
Current Team: Boston Red Sox
Interested Teams: Royals, Dodgers, Pirates, Reds
My Prediction: Traded to the Kansas City Royals
4. Joe Ryan – RHP
2025 Stats: 29 GS, 3.42 ERA, 171 IP, 194 K
Current Team: Minnesota Twins
Interested Teams: Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers
My Prediction: Traded to Detroit Tigers (Unless Lopez is traded first)
5. Nolan Arenado – 3B
2025 Stats: .237 AVG, 12 HR, 52 RBI, .666 OPS
Current Team: St. Louis Cardinals
Interested Teams: Los Angeles Angels, Arizona Diamondbacks
My Prediction: Traded to Los Angeles Angels
6. Pete Fairbanks – RHP (RP)
EDITORS NOTE: I forgot Fairbanks was a free-agent. I have him signing with the Yankees, not being traded to them.
7. Brendan Donovan – UTIL
2025 Stats: .287 AVG, 10 HR, 50 RBI, .775 OPS
Current Team: St. Louis Cardinals
Interested Teams: Toronto Blue Jays
My Prediction: Traded to Toronto Blue Jays
8. Pablo López – RHP
2025 Stats: 20 GS, 2.74 ERA, 75.2 IP, 13973K
Current Team: Minnesota Twins
Interested Teams: Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, New York Mets
My Prediction: Traded to Orioles (Unless Ryan traded first)
9. Steven Kwan – OF
2025 Stats: .272 AVG, 11 HR, 56 RBI, .705OPS
Current Team: Cleveland Guardians
Interested Teams: Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres
My Prediction: Traded to the San Diego Padres
10. Mitch Keller – RHP
2025 Stats: 31 GS, 4.19 ERA, 176.2 IP, 150 K
Current Team: Pittsburgh Pirates
Interested Teams: Houston Astros, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs
My Prediction: Traded to the Houston Astros
Fairbanks is a free agent