Trade value in Major League Baseball (MLB) significantly hinges on whether a player is considered a two-month rental or if he has club control extending beyond the current season. Rental players are often the most recognizable trade chips; however, controllable non-rental players typically yield substantial returns for teams looking to rebuild and enhance their roster with young talent. This article focuses on non-rental trade candidates, ranking the top 25 players in the 2025 MLB trade market based on their current performance, expected impact, club control, and trade likelihood.

First, several players have appeared in trade rumors but are expected to remain with their current teams. These include pitchers RP Félix Bautista of the Baltimore Orioles, RP Emmanuel Clase of the Cleveland Guardians, RP Carlos Estévez of the Kansas City Royals, SP Kyle Freeland of the Colorado Rockies, SP MacKenzie Gore of the Washington Nationals, RP Mason Miller of the Oakland Athletics, SP Luis Severino of the New York Yankees, and RP Cade Smith of the Cleveland Guardians, among others. Notable hitters such as 2B Ozzie Albies (Atlanta Braves), 3B Nolan Arenado (St. Louis Cardinals), and OF Steven Kwan (Cleveland Guardians) are also expected to stay put, although offseason trades remain a possibility.

Kicking off the rankings is OF Andrew Benintendi of the Chicago White Sox, who has a contract worth $17.1 million in 2026 and $15.1 million in 2027. Reports indicate that the White Sox might be willing to absorb most of his salary in order to facilitate a trade. As a seasoned veteran, Benintendi possesses a 103 OPS+ and has hit 11 home runs in a market where batters are rather scarce, making him an attractive option for potential suitors.

Following him is RP Pierce Johnson from the Atlanta Braves, who has a manageable $7 million club option for 2026 with a $250,000 buyout. Johnson, having recently found success in his late-blooming career, is presenting a solid season with a 2.80 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 10.7 K/9 across 120 appearances. Likewise, SP JP Sears of the Athletics, arbitration-eligible through 2028, ranks 17th in innings pitched among all pitchers since the 2023 season, maintaining a 4.61 ERA and 1.25 WHIP.

RP Jake Bird of the Colorado Rockies, also under arbitration through 2028, has emerged as one of the few effective pitchers on the Rockies’ roster this season. He has a 4.01 ERA and 10.6 K/9 over 51.2 innings. Another name to consider is OF Lars Nootbaar from the St. Louis Cardinals, whose performance this season doesn’t quite match previous years, but he remains a topic of trade speculation. Lastly, RP Ronny Henriquez of the Miami Marlins could be a dark horse candidate for a significant trade, with an impressive 2.68 ERA and 12.4 K/9 in his first full MLB season.

Other players in the rankings include Jeffrey Springs of the Athletics, Dennis Santana of the Pirates, and Taylor Ward of the Angels, all of whom present a mixture of solid performance metrics and financial implications that sharp-eyed teams will find appealing. These players highlight the depth and range of talent available in the 2025 MLB trade market, spanning different positions and team needs.

Negotiations are likely to increase as teams position themselves for both immediate contention and long-term strategies. The landscape of potential trades will continue to evolve as the season progresses, but the focus remains on acquiring players who can contribute both now and in the future.

In summary, the intrigue that non-rental players bring to the trade market cannot be understated. Teams weighing their options should consider both the current season and future prospects when engaging in discussions this summer.