As 2025 winds down and teams continue plotting the MLB offseason chessboard, three of baseball’s most coveted starters — Sandy Alcantara, MacKenzie Gore, and Freddy Peralta — are surfacing atop trade boards around the league. Each carries a unique blend of talent, upside, and storyline. That makes them compelling targets for contenders looking to bolster their rotations before spring training.
Three Top Starters Could Be on the Trade Block This MLB Offseason
🔥 Sandy Alcántara — Miami’s Cy Young Ace Seeking a New Frontier
Once one of the most feared starters in baseball, Sandy Alcántara has long been Miami’s anchor in the rotation. The 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner boasts a résumé filled with high‑leverage innings and a reputation for going deep into games. That’s a rare and valuable commodity in today’s bullpen‑driven era.
He has missed time due to Tommy John surgery and posted up‑and‑down results in 2025. Still, his elite pitch mix and previous dominance make him a tantalizing “buy‑low” target this winter. Miami’s broader roster needs — and desire to manage payroll while replenishing its farm system — could finally push the star right‑hander into trade talks this offseason.
Why He Could Be Traded
A combination of salary considerations, organizational direction, and the opportunity to replenish talent could make Alcántara expendable. If the Marlins feel they can’t contend in 2026 with payroll tied up in long‑term commitments, a trade becomes more likely.
3 Possible Destinations:
-
New York Mets – A desperate rotation in need of a bona fide ace.
-
Boston Red Sox – Adding Alcántara could vault them into elite rotation territory.
-
Toronto Blue Jays – A power rotation could be topped with Sandy’s veteran presence.
MacKenzie Gore — Left-Handed Strikeout Artist With Untapped Ceiling
MacKenzie Gore has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his young career. He combines a devastating curveball with a fastball that can reach the mid-90s and an improving changeup that keeps hitters off balance. In 2025, he recorded a career-high 185 strikeouts in 159 2/3 innings and earned his first All-Star selection. His combination of youth, team control, and high-upside potential makes him a unique asset that could transform a rotation.
Why He Could Be Traded
The Washington Nationals may see trading him as an opportunity to accelerate a rebuild by acquiring long-term assets. Multiple contenders will view him as a prime target who can dominate lineups on either side of the plate. The left-handed starter’s blend of strikeout ability and developmental runway makes him one of the most exciting and valuable trade candidates in the league.
MacKenzie Gore’s 2025 was a tale of two halves
First half: 3.02 ERA over 110.1 IP
Second half: 6.75 ERA over 49.9 IP
He saw jumps in HR/9 and BB%, but most concerning, his K% dropped by nearly 10% ‼️
Durability concerns could very well be holding back Gore’s trade market pic.twitter.com/xHDJUsK8tT
— High Leverage Baseball (@HighLevBaseball) December 27, 2025
3 Possible Destinations:
-
Baltimore Orioles
-
Boston Red Sox
-
New York Yankees
📈 Freddy Peralta — Brewers Strikeout Specialist With Cy Young Pedigree
“Fastball Freddy” Peralta has quietly emerged as one of the most formidable pitchers in baseball. He possesses a high-octane fastball along with a devastating slider to produce a top-tier strikeout rate. In 2025, Peralta posted 17 wins with a 2.70 ERA, cementing his place among the American League’s elite arms. His ability to dominate hitters while providing cost-controlled production for at least one more season makes him an attractive piece for teams seeking a frontline starter.
Why He Could Be Traded
With a modest $8 million option for 2026, Peralta represents an affordable ace for teams chasing a championship. The Brewers could see trading him as a way to maximize value. Meanwhile, they would acquire prospects or young talent to help sustain future success. His combination of performance, strikeout ability, and contract situation makes him one of the most intriguing pitchers available in the upcoming trade market.
3 Possible Destinations:
-
Boston Red Sox
-
Houston Astros
The Last Word
Sandy Alcántara, MacKenzie Gore, and Freddy Peralta each bring a different flavor of ace-level value, from proven Cy Young performance to future All-Star potential and cost-efficient strikeout dominance. Teams looking to solidify their rotations or make a push for a playoff run will likely be in fierce competition to acquire one of these arms. With their unique skills and trade appeal, one of these three starters could be the key difference between contention and championship aspirations for MLB clubs in 2026.
Main Photo Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports