One player every MLB team will trade at the 2026 trade deadline

The MLB trade deadline always produces surprises, but every seller has at least one player who stands out as the most logical trade candidate. Every buyer has specific prospects that other teams want and/or they feel they can part with to get the pieces they need.

For the sellers, whether it’s an impending free agent, a veteran on an expiring contract, or a player whose value may never be higher, trading them for future assets is the right move. For the buyers, although trading away top prospects can be a tough pill to swallow, it’s the only way to improve your big league team in the immediate. Here’s one player each team should move before the 2026 trade deadline.

MORE: 5 MLB pitchers who will be traded before the trade deadline

American League East

Oct 20, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman (34) throws in the seventh inning against the Seattle Mariners during game seven of the ALCS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

Baltimore Orioles – Taylor Ward

Boston Red Sox – Marcelo Mayer

New York Yankees – Spencer Jones

Tampa Bay Rays – Brody Hopkins

Toronto Blue Jays – Kevin Gausman

American League Central

Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal celebrates striking out Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh I the sixth inning of ALDS Game 5 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. Credit: © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Chicago White Sox – Kyle Teel

Cleveland Guardians – Jaison Chourio

Detroit Tigers – Tarik Skubal

Kansas City Royals – Michael Wacha

Minnesota Twins – Trevor Larnach

American League West

Jun 17, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña (3) during the game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

Athletics – Shea Langeliers

Houston Astros – Jeremy Pena

Los Angeles Angels – Zach Neto

Seattle Mariners – Luis Castillo

Texas Rangers – Josh Jung

National League East

May 29, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Atlanta Braves – JR Ritchie

Miami Marlins – Pete Fairbanks

New York Mets – Freddy Peralta

Philadelphia Phillies – Gage Wood

Washington Nationals – CJ Abrams

National League Central

Jun 13, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki (27) hits an RBI single against the San Francisco Giants during the third inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images

Chicago Cubs – Seiya Suzuki

Cincinnati Reds – Spencer Steer

Milwaukee Brewers – Jett Williams

Pittsburgh Pirates – Jhostynxon Garcia

St. Louis Cardinals – Riley O’Brien

National League West

Sep 9, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres relief pitcher Mason Miller (22) celebrates after striking out a batter during the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

Arizona Diamondbacks – Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Colorado Rockies – Mickey Moniak

Los Angeles Dodgers – Zyhir Hope

San Diego Padres – Mason Miller

San Francisco Giants – Luis Arraez

Final Thoughts

As always, the trade deadline is unpredictable, and several surprise names will inevitably emerge. Still, these are all players who have been mentioned in trade rumors over the past few weeks, with some being mentioned in rumors dating back to this past offseason as well.

The trade deadline will set the stage for the stretch run for all of the contenders, and with the races in both leagues being so close, the teams that are most aggressive could wind up being the ones who go the deepest into October.

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