When assessing a Major League Baseball (MLB) player's trade value, one of the primary considerations is whether the player is a short-term rental for the remainder of the season or has club control extending beyond the current year. Rental players are often viewed as obvious trade candidates; however, it is the controllable non-rentals that typically generate significant returns for teams in the process of rebuilding, as they seek to enhance their pool of young talent. This article focuses on the top 25 non-rental players available in the 2025 MLB trade market, with rankings derived from current performance, anticipated impact, remaining club control, and the likelihood of being traded.

To start, several players have been mentioned in speculative trade discussions but are anticipated to remain with their respective clubs, at least for now. This group includes pitchers Félix Bautista from the Baltimore Orioles, Emmanuel Clase from the Cleveland Guardians, Carlos Estévez of the Kansas City Royals, Kyle Freeland from the Colorado Rockies, MacKenzie Gore of the Washington Nationals, Mason Miller from the Oakland Athletics, Luis Severino from the Athletics, Cade Smith of the Guardians, and hitters such as Ozzie Albies of the Atlanta Braves, Nolan Arenado from the St. Louis Cardinals, Yandy Díaz of the Tampa Bay Rays, Maikel García of the Royals, Ke'Bryan Hayes of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Steven Kwan from the Guardians, Nathaniel Lowe of the Texas Rangers, Bryan Reynolds of the Pirates, Jesús Sánchez from the Miami Marlins, and Kyle Stowers of the Marlins.

Among the notable players on the trade radar is Andrew Benintendi of the Chicago White Sox, who is under contract for $17.1 million in 2026 and $15.1 million in 2027. Reports indicate that the White Sox may consider subsidizing part of Benintendi's salary to facilitate a trade. Despite challenges this season, including a low on-base percentage, he has recorded a respectable 103 OPS+ and hit 11 home runs, likely drawing interest from several teams in search of offensive help. Another player, Pierce Johnson of the Atlanta Braves, has a $7 million club option for 2026 and could serve as either a rental or a mid-range bullpen option. Having posted a 2.80 ERA and 1.16 WHIP over three seasons with the Braves, Johnson's profile attracts teams needing late-inning support.

JP Sears of the Oakland Athletics is arbitration-eligible through 2028 and has pitched 454.2 innings since the beginning of the 2023 season, recording a 4.61 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. Although he may not be a playoff starter, he is a reliable innings eater with three years of control remaining. Similarly, left-handed reliever Jake Bird of the Colorado Rockies holds appeal, as he has a 4.01 ERA and strong strikeout potential. Lars Nootbaar of the St. Louis Cardinals, while currently struggling, has demonstrated promise in the past and may be available for the right offer.

Ronny Henriquez, a promising reliever from the Miami Marlins, boasts a 2.68 ERA and striking metrics that suggest he has late-inning potential. Jeffrey Springs of the Athletics and Dennis Santana of the Pittsburgh Pirates also find themselves under consideration, both having shown strong performances this season. Taylor Ward of the Los Angeles Angels features a 116 OPS+ and offers power, even with some defensive limitations. Meanwhile, Reid Detmers, who has recently emerged as a full-time reliever, shows encouraging signs with a 1.45 ERA over his last 30 appearances.

Luis Robert Jr. from the White Sox, while having a difficult year statistically, retains significant upside as a power/speed threat if the team contributes financially to a potential trade. The aggressive Tampa Bay Rays may also consider moving Pete Fairbanks, a reliable closer with a manageable contract, along with Ryan McMahon of the Rockies, who has displayed intriguing metrics despite apparent struggles at the plate.

David Bednar, appearing to be on the trading block for the Pirates after an impressive showing this season, could yield a hefty return given his recent performance. Trevor Rogers, an emerging talent on the Baltimore Orioles, might attract buyers given his significant revival post-injury. Players like Brandon Lowe from the Rays and Edward Cabrera from the Marlins hold considerable trade value due to their controllable contracts and performance.

Taj Bradley from the Rays, with his impressive strikeout rates and control through 2029, represents another potential trade asset amidst the Rays’ abundance of pitching prospects. Minnesota Twins' relievers Griffin Jax and Jhoan Durán, demonstrating dominant performances, may also find themselves in high demand. Sandy Alcántara of the Marlins, despite a rocky season, still captivates interest due to his previous Cy Young Award-winning performance, of which the Marlins could seek substantial value in a trade.

Finally, Sean Murphy has developed into an exceptionally productive player for the Atlanta Braves, and while they traditionally do not trade him lightly, the emergence of top prospect Drake Baldwin could prompt consideration of a move if it results in acquiring a controllable starting pitcher. Kris Bubic from the Kansas City Royals has also elevated his status, potentially enticing teams looking for pitching while he remains under control until the conclusion of the 2026 season. Jarren Duran of the Boston Red Sox, despite the team's current stance against selling, might be viewed as an expendable asset if it aids in fortifying their pitching rotation in light of their improving outfield depth.

Mitch Keller of the Pittsburgh Pirates rounds out this analysis, exemplifying a top-tier pitcher with a solid contract and excellent production who could significantly bolster a contender’s playoff roster.