Bold Trade Predictions For 2026 Offseason: AL West Edition
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- Bold Trade Predictions For 2026 Offseason: AL West Edition
The offseason gives teams an opportunity to shake up their rosters in all sorts of interesting ways ahead of the coming season. Each year also comes with trade rumors for various players. Whether it’s due to injury or impending free agency, certain players always seem more likely to be dealt than others. With that in mind, here is a look at one player from each American League West team who could be dealt before Opening Day rolls around in 2027.
Walker has proven he can still slug with the best of them. The 35-year-old veteran has hit 25 or more homers in five consecutive seasons while manning the cold corner. His sophomore season (.226/.299/.427) with Houston was almost exactly the same as his first (.238/.297/.421), proving he’s able to consistently produce despite a dip in batting average. With plenty of clubs looking for help at first base, and Walker set to be a free agent in 2028, it wouldn’t be a massive surprise to see him with another team come Opening Day.
The Astros have had a major logjam in their infield for the last year. Between star Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, Isaac Paredes, Jeremy Peña and Walker, Houston hasn’t quite been able to figure out the lineup math for their infield. With slugger Yordan Alvarez clogging up the DH spot, they tried moving Altuve into the outfield but it didn’t work out incredibly well. Trading Walker while his value is high would shift Paredes to first base with Correa taking over permanent hot corner duties. That could help balance Houston’s lineup while potentially giving their lackluster farm a boost.
Potential Landing Spots: Diamondbacks, Guardians, Tigers
It might seem like sacrilege to even suggest this after Texas gave up a king’s ransom just to acquire Gore last offseason. The Rangers sent five prospects to the Washington Nationals in the blockbuster trade. That move looks incredibly lopsided after Gore’s problematic 2026 campaign. However, the Rangers might be able to recoup something if they trade Gore this year. The lefty is on an incredibly affordable $9.8 million salary in 2027 before hitting the open market in ’28. Almost every team could use a reliable starting pitcher, and Gore could be that arm.
The only problem is that Gore massively struggled in 2026. In 173 innings, the southpaw posted a 4.58 ERA and 1.34 WHIP. Those marks were fairly consistent throughout the whole season, with Gore posting an ERA above 3.50 in five of six months. That said, he did have a phenomenal stretch in August (2.70 ERA, 26.2 IP). He was slightly unlucky (4.18 xERA compared to 4.58 ERA), though not enough to say that he was let down by the Rangers’ defense. Gore won’t command the same prospect capital that Washington got for him in 2025, but Texas should certainly listen to offers.
Potential Landing Spots: Marlins, Mets, Tigers
This one hurts. Gilbert has been a stalwart in Seattle’s starting rotation for years. From 2021-26, the righty has made 178 starts for the Mariners, pitching to a 3.60 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and .224 opponent batting average. He has proven himself to be one of the most reliable and durable starters in the game, pitching 180-plus innings in four of the last five years and posting a sub-4.00 ERA in five consecutive seasons. He missed some time in 2025 with a right elbow flexor strain, but came back strong and hasn’t had any problems since.
He’s due just $15 million in 2027 before hitting free agency in 2028. Seattle might keep him if they believe their contention window remains open. The Mariners made it closer to the World Series than any other team in franchise history in 2025. They were expected to run the table in the AL West, but ended up missing the postseason entirely. Because of that collapse, the Mariners may decide to lean towards a full rebuild. But if the front office decides to contend, Gilbert may not be shipped off until the Trade Deadline.
Potential Landing Spots: Cubs, Diamondbacks, Padres
Shea Langeliers has slowly but surely developed into one of the top offensive backstops in baseball. He’s hit 20-plus homers in four consecutive seasons with an OPS over .800 in each of the last two years. Langeliers hit a ridiculous 21 home runs prior to the 2026 All-Star break before petering out in the second half. Most of that decline can be attributed to a torn meniscus in his right knee. He still suited up for 20 more games after returning from the injured list and hit .284/.346/.432 with two homers.
Langeliers was expected to be shipped off at the 2026 Trade Deadline. Instead, he tore his meniscus a week before the Deadline and ended up staying with the Athletics. He’s been a key piece of a burgeoning young offensive core, but the A’s could receive a ridiculous haul for the backstop’s services. Langeliers won’t be a free agent until 2029 and is still eligible for arbitration. That affordability, combined with his potent bat, makes him a tantalizing option for contenders searching for a primary backstop.
Potential Landing Spots: Phillies, Rangers, Yankees
Neto’s name has been in trade rumors for quite a while. The Angels’ star shortstop has proven himself to be a force at the plate, with 20-plus home runs in three consecutive seasons. Neto won’t be a free agent until 2030, which makes him a great option for teams looking for a long-term solution at shortstop. The Halos finally sold off some of their younger talent at the Deadline, getting plenty of phenomenal prospects in return. Neto would command a more significant haul than anyone Anaheim shipped off in 2026.
It all depends on where the new ownership wants to steer the organization. Longtime owner Arte Moreno sold off the organization for a record $4 billion to Stan Kroenke. That deal has yet to be finalized, but could affect the club’s offseason plans. Neto has been a cornerstone in Anaheim for the last few years, but trading him could set the Halos up well for a rebuild. It could also get Anaheim out of Mike Trout’s contract if the two are packaged together. Even with Trout’s substantial salary added to a potential trade, Neto would still net a sizable return for the Angels. That could be more impactful for the club than anything he can do with his bat.
Potential Landing Spots: Braves, Mariners, Yankees
Bold Trade Predictions For 2026 Offseason: AL West Edition
Bold Trade Predictions For 2026 Offseason: AL West Edition
Bold Trade Predictions For 2026 Offseason: AL West Edition
Bold Trade Predictions For 2026 Offseason: AL West Edition
Bold Trade Predictions For 2026 Offseason: AL West Edition
Bold Trade Predictions For 2026 Offseason: AL West Edition
Bold Trade Predictions For 2026 Offseason: AL West Edition
Bold Trade Predictions For 2026 Offseason: AL West Edition
The offseason gives teams an opportunity to shake up their rosters in all sorts of interesting ways ahead of the coming season. Each year also comes with trade rumors for various players. Whether it’s due to injury or impending free agency, certain players always seem more likely to be dealt than others. With that in mind, here is a look at one player from each American League West team who could be dealt before Opening Day rolls around in 2027.
Houston Astros: Christian Walker
Walker has proven he can still slug with the best of them. The 35-year-old veteran has hit 25 or more homers in five consecutive seasons while manning the cold corner. His sophomore season (.226/.299/.427) with Houston was almost exactly the same as his first (.238/.297/.421), proving he’s able to consistently produce despite a dip in batting average. With plenty of clubs looking for help at first base, and Walker set to be a free agent in 2028, it wouldn’t be a massive surprise to see him with another team come Opening Day.
The Astros have had a major logjam in their infield for the last year. Between star Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, Isaac Paredes, Jeremy Peña and Walker, Houston hasn’t quite been able to figure out the lineup math for their infield. With slugger Yordan Alvarez clogging up the DH spot, they tried moving Altuve into the outfield but it didn’t work out incredibly well. Trading Walker while his value is high would shift Paredes to first base with Correa taking over permanent hot corner duties. That could help balance Houston’s lineup while potentially giving their lackluster farm a boost.
Potential Landing Spots: Diamondbacks, Guardians, Tigers
Texas Rangers: MacKenzie Gore
It might seem like sacrilege to even suggest this after Texas gave up a king’s ransom just to acquire Gore last offseason. The Rangers sent five prospects to the Washington Nationals in the blockbuster trade. That move looks incredibly lopsided after Gore’s problematic 2026 campaign. However, the Rangers might be able to recoup something if they trade Gore this year. The lefty is on an incredibly affordable $9.8 million salary in 2027 before hitting the open market in ’28. Almost every team could use a reliable starting pitcher, and Gore could be that arm.
The only problem is that Gore massively struggled in 2026. In 173 innings, the southpaw posted a 4.58 ERA and 1.34 WHIP. Those marks were fairly consistent throughout the whole season, with Gore posting an ERA above 3.50 in five of six months. That said, he did have a phenomenal stretch in August (2.70 ERA, 26.2 IP). He was slightly unlucky (4.18 xERA compared to 4.58 ERA), though not enough to say that he was let down by the Rangers’ defense. Gore won’t command the same prospect capital that Washington got for him in 2025, but Texas should certainly listen to offers.
Potential Landing Spots: Marlins, Mets, Tigers
Seattle Mariners: Logan Gilbert
This one hurts. Gilbert has been a stalwart in Seattle’s starting rotation for years. From 2021-26, the righty has made 178 starts for the Mariners, pitching to a 3.60 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and .224 opponent batting average. He has proven himself to be one of the most reliable and durable starters in the game, pitching 180-plus innings in four of the last five years and posting a sub-4.00 ERA in five consecutive seasons. He missed some time in 2025 with a right elbow flexor strain, but came back strong and hasn’t had any problems since.
He’s due just $15 million in 2027 before hitting free agency in 2028. Seattle might keep him if they believe their contention window remains open. The Mariners made it closer to the World Series than any other team in franchise history in 2025. They were expected to run the table in the AL West, but ended up missing the postseason entirely. Because of that collapse, the Mariners may decide to lean towards a full rebuild. But if the front office decides to contend, Gilbert may not be shipped off until the Trade Deadline.
Potential Landing Spots: Cubs, Diamondbacks, Padres
Athletics: Shea Langeliers
Shea Langeliers has slowly but surely developed into one of the top offensive backstops in baseball. He’s hit 20-plus homers in four consecutive seasons with an OPS over .800 in each of the last two years. Langeliers hit a ridiculous 21 home runs prior to the 2026 All-Star break before petering out in the second half. Most of that decline can be attributed to a torn meniscus in his right knee. He still suited up for 20 more games after returning from the injured list and hit .284/.346/.432 with two homers.
Langeliers was expected to be shipped off at the 2026 Trade Deadline. Instead, he tore his meniscus a week before the Deadline and ended up staying with the Athletics. He’s been a key piece of a burgeoning young offensive core, but the A’s could receive a ridiculous haul for the backstop’s services. Langeliers won’t be a free agent until 2029 and is still eligible for arbitration. That affordability, combined with his potent bat, makes him a tantalizing option for contenders searching for a primary backstop.
Potential Landing Spots: Phillies, Rangers, Yankees
Los Angeles Angels: Zach Neto
Neto’s name has been in trade rumors for quite a while. The Angels’ star shortstop has proven himself to be a force at the plate, with 20-plus home runs in three consecutive seasons. Neto won’t be a free agent until 2030, which makes him a great option for teams looking for a long-term solution at shortstop. The Halos finally sold off some of their younger talent at the Deadline, getting plenty of phenomenal prospects in return. Neto would command a more significant haul than anyone Anaheim shipped off in 2026.
It all depends on where the new ownership wants to steer the organization. Longtime owner Arte Moreno sold off the organization for a record $4 billion to Stan Kroenke. That deal has yet to be finalized, but could affect the club’s offseason plans. Neto has been a cornerstone in Anaheim for the last few years, but trading him could set the Halos up well for a rebuild. It could also get Anaheim out of Mike Trout’s contract if the two are packaged together. Even with Trout’s substantial salary added to a potential trade, Neto would still net a sizable return for the Angels. That could be more impactful for the club than anything he can do with his bat.
Potential Landing Spots: Braves, Mariners, Yankees
