The Ever-Changing MLB Landscape

The MLB trade market is heating up this offseason, and blockbuster deals are reshaping teams and strategies across the league. The recent trades involving prominent players like Freddy Peralta heading to the New York Mets and MacKenzie Gore to the Texas Rangers have stirred excitement and speculation about the future impact these moves will have on their respective new teams. While the spotlight often lands on established talent being exchanged, the true impact of these trades may ultimately hinge on the young prospects who are changing hands in the process.

As teams look to bolster their rosters, they are also willing to part with promising young talent to secure immediate impact players. It’s a delicate balance where the potential of these so-called 'prospects' versus the proven track record of established big leaguers plays a significant role in determining the success of the trades made during the offseason.

The Top 15 Prospects Traded

In this article, we will take a closer look at the top 15 prospects who were traded this offseason, focusing on their potential and the circumstances around their trades. As the offseason progresses, evaluating these young players can help paint a clearer picture of how these trades might unfold in the coming seasons.

Honorable Mentions

Before diving into our ranked list, let’s introduce a few honorable mentions who have the potential to make a significant impact:

• RHP Anderson Brito, Tampa Bay Rays
• RHP Luis Perales, Washington Nationals
• RHP Alejandro Rosario, Washington Nationals
• RHP David Sandlin, Chicago White Sox
• OF Yeremy Cabrera, Washington Nationals
• SS Devin Fitz-Gerald, Washington Nationals
• SS Cristian Hernández, Miami Marlins
• OF Brendan Jones, Miami Marlins
• 1B Abimelec Ortiz, Washington Nationals
• OF Austin Overn, Tampa Bay Rays
• OF Tai Peete, St. Louis Cardinals

Now, let’s examine our top 15 prospects that found new homes through trades during the 2025-26 offseason.

15. RHP Yhoiker Fajardo, St. Louis Cardinals

Age: 19Stats: 19 G, 2.25 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 83 K in 72.0 IPTrade: Willson Contreras to Red Sox

Fajardo is a promising right-handed pitcher with a projectable frame and an impressive arsenal of pitches. His performance has placed him on a trajectory to potentially become a middle-of-the-rotation starter in the coming years.

14. Caden Bodine, Tampa Bay Rays

Age: 22Stats: .318/.454/.461 in 67 NCAA gamesTrade: Shane Baz to Orioles

Bodine’s strong hitting ability and defensive skills behind the plate make him a valuable asset for the Rays as they seek long-term solutions at catching.

13. RHP Michael Forret, Tampa Bay Rays

Age: 21Stats: 1.58 ERA, 0.82 WHIP in 19 A+/AA gamesTrade: Shane Baz to Orioles

Forret boasts electric stuff, striking out 91 in 74 innings. His development under the Rays’ guidance could yield significant dividends in the future.

12. LHP Jake Bennett, Boston Red Sox

Age: 25Stats: 2.27 ERA, 1.08 WHIP in 19 A/A+/AA gamesTrade: Luis Perales to Nationals

Bennett is MLB-ready with his mid-90s fastball, making him a strategic addition for the Red Sox looking to solidify their pitching staff.

11. OF Slater de Brun, Tampa Bay Rays

Age: 18Trade: Shane Baz to Orioles

After being drafted in 2025, de Brun's combination of speed and hit tool offers high upside, potentially making him an integral part of the Rays' future outfield.

10. OF Dillon Lewis, Miami Marlins

Age: 22Stats: .237/.321/.445 in 122 A/A+ gamesTrade: Ryan Weathers to Yankees

Lewis’ recent breakout season shows promise as he contributes with both power and speed, making him a valuable asset for the Marlins.

9. LHP Brandon Clarke, St. Louis Cardinals

Age: 22Stats: 4.03 ERA, 1.16 WHIP in 14 A/A+ gamesTrade: Sonny Gray to Red Sox

While plagued by injuries in his early career, Clarke's elite strikeout ability suggests he could rise to a top-of-the-rotation talent when healthy.

8. SS Gavin Fien, Washington Nationals

Age: 18Stats: .220/.267/.341 in 10 A gamesTrade: MacKenzie Gore to Rangers

Fien’s blend of power and hitting prowess positions him as a future star dependent on his development at the professional level.

7. OF Jacob Melton, Tampa Bay Rays

Age: 25Stats: .286/.389/.556 in AAATrade: Brandon Lowe to Pirates

After a strong showing in Triple-A, Melton is poised for a significant role in the Rays' major league roster.

6. RHP Jurrangelo Cijntje, St. Louis Cardinals (No. 93 on B/R Top 100)

Age: 22Stats: 3.99 ERA, 1.22 WHIP in 26 A+/AA gamesTrade: Brendan Donovan to Mariners

Cijntje offers a unique prospect status with his switch-pitching background, now focusing entirely on his right arm as he ascends to the MLB.

5. Brandon Sproat, New York Mets (B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 84)

Age: 23Stats: 4.79 ERA in 4 MLB gamesTrade: Freddy Peralta to Mets

With significant strikeout numbers in the minors, Sproat has shown potential to become a key pitcher for the Mets in the near future.

4. Owen Caissie, Chicago Cubs (B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 39)

Age: 22Stats: .286/.386/.551 in AAATrade: Edward Cabrera to Cubs

Caissie's performance indicates he has transitioned well, poised to contribute substantially to the Marlins’ lineup.

3. Harry Ford, Washington Nationals (B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 44)

Age: 22Stats: 52 XBH (22 HR) in 99 AAA gamesTrade: José A. Ferrer to Mariners

With speed and an elite on-base percentage, Ford’s trade enhances his path towards a pivotal role in the Nationals' future.

2. Jett Williams, New York Mets (B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 62)

Age: 22Stats: .261/.363/.465 in AA/AAATrade: Freddy Peralta to Mets

As a top prospect with strong tools across the board, Williams has a promising future ahead, potentially switching positions as he develops.

1. Gavin Fien, Washington Nationals (B/R Top 100 Rank: No. 12)

Age: 18Stats: .220/.267/.341 in 10 A gamesTrade: MacKenzie Gore to Rangers

Fien's strong offensive profile highlights his potential as a young player likely to become a staple in the Mariners' lineup.

Conclusion

The MLB trade season is a pivotal time for teams as they seek to balance current needs with future potential. The prospects highlighted in this exercise showcase the promising talent changing hands this offseason, each offering unique skills and abilities that will shape their respective new teams’ futures. While established players demand the spotlight, it’s often these young prospects that play the long game, determining who ultimately emerges as winners and losers of these trades as they develop in the big leagues. Keep an eye on these talented individuals as they continue their journeys and the next chapters of their baseball careers unfold.