Bold Trade Predictions For 2026 Offseason: NL East Edition
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- Bold Trade Predictions For 2026 Offseason: NL East Edition
Harper won’t be a free agent until 2032, with a rather expensive contract to boot. The slugging veteran is due $125.5 million over the final five seasons of his deal with the Phillies. Harper made waves when it was reported that he would waive his no-trade clause if the trading team would extend his contract beyond its current expiration date. The 34-year-old will be 39 once his contract expires, so it’s improbable that a team would be willing to fork over that kind of cash for an aging star.
That being said, Harper has been one of MLB’s more consistent hitters. He’s hit 20-plus home runs in 10 of the last 12 seasons (one of which was the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign). The first baseman has also batted .260 or better in eight consecutive seasons. The problem is that Harper’s defense at the cold corner has declined over the last few years. He went from an elite defender in 2024 (+8 Outs Above Average) to a below-average one in 2026 (-5 OAA). Because of that, Harper is unlikely to be moved this offseason, but it’s certainly an interesting prospect.
Potential Landing Spots: Brewers, Diamondbacks, Mets
Acuña has been the star left fielder for the Braves for quite some time. Since winning the 2023 NL MVP award after going 41/73, Acuña has been one of the most electric players in all of baseball. His only problem has been staying on the field. Acuña has constantly struggled with injuries, limiting him to just 251 games in the last three seasons. Atlanta exercised their $17 million club option for the 2027 season, but that doesn’t rule out a move. Acuña’s affordable salary makes him incredibly desirable for teams looking for outfield help.
The left fielder is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2029 with another $17 million club option for 2028. With all of the advantages of having Acuña on their roster, why would the Braves ever consider moving him? Well, Acuña has become somewhat of a problem in Atlanta’s clubhouse. He’s also been quite vocal about his desire to leave the Braves. No one wants a star player who doesn’t want to be on the team, especially when Atlanta could trade Acuña for a major haul of prospects.
Potential Landing Spots: Cubs, Mets, Padres
After winning the NL Cy Young award unanimously in 2022 with a 2.28 ERA over 228 2/3 innings, Alcantara regressed in 2023 (4.14 ERA, 184.2 IP). Much of that was due to the right-hander pitching through pain in his throwing arm. This was discovered later, and Alcantara eventually underwent Tommy John surgery ahead of the 2024 season. Alcantara returned in 2025 but wasn’t quite the same (5.36 ERA, 174.2 IP). 2026 was a return to form for the longtime Marlin with a 3.87 ERA over 214 innings of work.
Because of that resurgence, the Marlins exercised Alcantara’s $21 million club option for 2027 on Friday morning. He’ll become a free agent in 2028 as one of the most coveted options on the market. That could make him an attractive arm for teams willing to pay $21 million and give up a few prospects. Miami has been known to deal short-term talent for farm depth, with one of the most electric young cores in baseball. Still, the Marlins seem unlikely to give up their ace anytime soon.
Potential Landing Spots: Blue Jays, Cubs, Padres
Abrams won’t become a free agent until 2029, making the 26-year-old a valuable commodity for teams in the market for shortstop help. After trade rumors surrounded Abrams in 2025, he remained with the Nationals and posted career-high numbers in home runs (33), RBIs (106), walks (57), batting average (.261), on-base percentage (.336), slugging percentage (.497) and OPS (.833). He became the second player in Nationals history to record a 30/30 season, joining Alfonso Soriano’s 2006 season.
It will take a massive return to pry Abrams from the Nats. He’s been an incredible contributor to their potent offense along with outfielder James Wood. Abrams won’t be easy to move unless a team floors Washington with an offer. However, several teams are desperate for shortstop help this offseason, making it plausible that they could overpay for a potent (and young) option at the position.
Potential Landing Spots: Braves, Mariners, Yankees
New York had a fire sale after their ridiculously awful 2026 season (40-57 prior to All-Star break). That leaves the Mets with very few trade candidates this offseason. However, Manaea remains an intriguing possibility. Numerous teams desperately need reliable starting pitching. Manaea has proven himself to be consistent enough over the last few years to warrant a trade with a less-financed organization.
Manaea spent the 2026 season splitting his time between the starting rotation and a bulk-relief role (33 games, 19 starts). All in all, the southpaw was quite serviceable. Manaea pitched to a 4.78 ERA and 1.30 WHIP across 150 2/3 innings. The lefty missed most of 2025 with two major injuries before returning for a full season in ’26. He’s not far removed from a solid 2024 campaign in which Manaea posted a 3.47 ERA over 81 2/3 innings. With the left-hander set to become a free agent in 2028, teams looking for a reliable rental could make an offer for his services.
Potential Landing Spots: Athletics, Diamondbacks, White Sox
Bold Trade Predictions For 2026 Offseason: NL East Edition
Bold Trade Predictions For 2026 Offseason: NL East Edition
Bold Trade Predictions For 2026 Offseason: NL East Edition
Bold Trade Predictions For 2026 Offseason: NL East Edition
Bold Trade Predictions For 2026 Offseason: NL East Edition
Bold Trade Predictions For 2026 Offseason: NL East Edition
Philadelphia Phillies: Bryce Harper
Harper won’t be a free agent until 2032, with a rather expensive contract to boot. The slugging veteran is due $125.5 million over the final five seasons of his deal with the Phillies. Harper made waves when it was reported that he would waive his no-trade clause if the trading team would extend his contract beyond its current expiration date. The 34-year-old will be 39 once his contract expires, so it’s improbable that a team would be willing to fork over that kind of cash for an aging star.
That being said, Harper has been one of MLB’s more consistent hitters. He’s hit 20-plus home runs in 10 of the last 12 seasons (one of which was the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign). The first baseman has also batted .260 or better in eight consecutive seasons. The problem is that Harper’s defense at the cold corner has declined over the last few years. He went from an elite defender in 2024 (+8 Outs Above Average) to a below-average one in 2026 (-5 OAA). Because of that, Harper is unlikely to be moved this offseason, but it’s certainly an interesting prospect.
Potential Landing Spots: Brewers, Diamondbacks, Mets
Atlanta Braves: Ronald Acuña Jr.
Acuña has been the star left fielder for the Braves for quite some time. Since winning the 2023 NL MVP award after going 41/73, Acuña has been one of the most electric players in all of baseball. His only problem has been staying on the field. Acuña has constantly struggled with injuries, limiting him to just 251 games in the last three seasons. Atlanta exercised their $17 million club option for the 2027 season, but that doesn’t rule out a move. Acuña’s affordable salary makes him incredibly desirable for teams looking for outfield help.
The left fielder is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2029 with another $17 million club option for 2028. With all of the advantages of having Acuña on their roster, why would the Braves ever consider moving him? Well, Acuña has become somewhat of a problem in Atlanta’s clubhouse. He’s also been quite vocal about his desire to leave the Braves. No one wants a star player who doesn’t want to be on the team, especially when Atlanta could trade Acuña for a major haul of prospects.
Potential Landing Spots: Cubs, Mets, Padres
Miami Marlins: Sandy Alcantara
After winning the NL Cy Young award unanimously in 2022 with a 2.28 ERA over 228 2/3 innings, Alcantara regressed in 2023 (4.14 ERA, 184.2 IP). Much of that was due to the right-hander pitching through pain in his throwing arm. This was discovered later, and Alcantara eventually underwent Tommy John surgery ahead of the 2024 season. Alcantara returned in 2025 but wasn’t quite the same (5.36 ERA, 174.2 IP). 2026 was a return to form for the longtime Marlin with a 3.87 ERA over 214 innings of work.
Because of that resurgence, the Marlins exercised Alcantara’s $21 million club option for 2027 on Friday morning. He’ll become a free agent in 2028 as one of the most coveted options on the market. That could make him an attractive arm for teams willing to pay $21 million and give up a few prospects. Miami has been known to deal short-term talent for farm depth, with one of the most electric young cores in baseball. Still, the Marlins seem unlikely to give up their ace anytime soon.
Potential Landing Spots: Blue Jays, Cubs, Padres
Washington Nationals: CJ Abrams
Abrams won’t become a free agent until 2029, making the 26-year-old a valuable commodity for teams in the market for shortstop help. After trade rumors surrounded Abrams in 2025, he remained with the Nationals and posted career-high numbers in home runs (33), RBIs (106), walks (57), batting average (.261), on-base percentage (.336), slugging percentage (.497) and OPS (.833). He became the second player in Nationals history to record a 30/30 season, joining Alfonso Soriano’s 2006 season.
It will take a massive return to pry Abrams from the Nats. He’s been an incredible contributor to their potent offense along with outfielder James Wood. Abrams won’t be easy to move unless a team floors Washington with an offer. However, several teams are desperate for shortstop help this offseason, making it plausible that they could overpay for a potent (and young) option at the position.
Potential Landing Spots: Braves, Mariners, Yankees
New York Mets: Sean Manaea
New York had a fire sale after their ridiculously awful 2026 season (40-57 prior to All-Star break). That leaves the Mets with very few trade candidates this offseason. However, Manaea remains an intriguing possibility. Numerous teams desperately need reliable starting pitching. Manaea has proven himself to be consistent enough over the last few years to warrant a trade with a less-financed organization.
Manaea spent the 2026 season splitting his time between the starting rotation and a bulk-relief role (33 games, 19 starts). All in all, the southpaw was quite serviceable. Manaea pitched to a 4.78 ERA and 1.30 WHIP across 150 2/3 innings. The lefty missed most of 2025 with two major injuries before returning for a full season in ’26. He’s not far removed from a solid 2024 campaign in which Manaea posted a 3.47 ERA over 81 2/3 innings. With the left-hander set to become a free agent in 2028, teams looking for a reliable rental could make an offer for his services.
Potential Landing Spots: Athletics, Diamondbacks, White Sox
