5 MLB Mock Trade Ideas
Photo of Jarren Duran (Sports Illustrated)
Tigers trade LHS Tarik Skubal to Mets for LHS David Peterson, SS Jett Williams, and RHS Brandon Sproat
Back-to-back AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal is entering a contract year and the Tigers are unlikely to extend him. On paper, this is an overpay for one year of anyone, but Cohen’s Mets have failed to win the NL East once over a five-year stretch of mediocrity. Tarik has a 2.30 ERA over the last two seasons, and is arguably the best pitcher in the game right now; he’s the fastest and most meaningful way the Mets could level up for 2026. It could function as a sign and trade– the Mets are one of the few teams that have the financial flexibility to extend Skubal.
Tarik Skubal Season Stats (Baseball Reference)
The Tigers can cash in on their generational ace by acquiring an immediate replacement in David Peterson, as well as two young guys ready to produce at the MLB level. Peterson, also a southpaw in a contract year, put up a 4.22 ERA in 168.2 innings of work in 2025. He can slide into Detroit’s rotation, albeit as a replacement unlikely to fill his predecessor’s shoes. I could see either Jonah Tong (BA #40) or Jett Williams (#51) as the prospect headliner in this deal, but I will stick with Jett because the Mets can’t afford to give up too much pitching depth. Williams is only 5’7”, but he has tremendous knowledge of the strike zone and owns a .388 OBP in his pro career. Scouts are split on whether he can stay at short, but he should be an above-average defender at second if he does have to ultimately slide over. Former Florida Gator Brandon Sproat (BA #95) is a fringe top-100 prospect, as a 25-year-old innings eater who has only started four games in The Show. Six years of team control for both Jett and Sproat is more than fair for the delta between one season of Skubal and Peterson.
Twins trade RHS Joe Ryan to Mariners for C Harry Ford and 2B Cole Young
Joe Ryan offers value as a frontline starter with less dominance than Freddy or Tarik, but he has two years of team control. Though he had an off-year in 2023, he’s coming off his best campaign in which he set career bests in ERA, innings, and K’s. From 2024-2025, Ryan has a 3.50 ERA over 306 innings of work. He’s only 29, front offices will be trading for two years of Joe’s prime with an opportunity to get him extended. Seattle is a great fit, as a team that fell one game shy of the World Series, and boasts a well-rounded roster. It was clear they could benefit from another frontline starter in the postseason, both Kirby and Gilbert got knocked around. Bryce Miller is also coming off of a rough season, while Bryan Woo dealt with a pec injury at the end of the year. The Mariners have a stacked farm system, and they have multiple players blocked from contributing at the highest level. Harry Ford (BA #74) is an obvious one, with MVP runner-up Cal Raleigh already entrenched behind the backstop. Cole Young is in a crowded infield with J.P. Crawford, Leo Rivas, Ben Williamson, and top prospect Colt Emerson (BA #12). Cole is a solid ballplayer, but Seattle won’t feel the loss at second with the depth they have.
Harry Ford Minor League Stats (Baseball Reference)
On the other hand, the Twins could try Young at short, with Luke Keaschall at the keystone already. With Royce Lewis likely on the trade block, they could push Brooks Lee to the hot corner and get Cole’s 60 grade hit tool in the lineup. Ford is an obvious fit for the Twins, with Ryan Jeffers’ defense sliding last year and a contract expiring next winter to boot. Ford is the premier on-base machine for catching prospects around the country– the question is whether or not he can stick behind the plate. If not, he is a good enough athlete to figure out the corner outfield spots. With the Twins going full fire sale, both of these guys should have no problem getting playing time.
Brewers trade RHS Freddy Peralta to Orioles for OF Colton Cowser
Small and mid-market teams will clamor to call Milwaukee on Freddy– he’s very good and affordable for 2026. Peralta is set to make only $8M next year because of a team-friendly extension; he led the league in wins this year and finished 5th in the NL Cy Young. He gets points for consistency too– three consecutive seasons with over 165 innings of work with an ERA under 3.90. The Orioles’ season ended before it started because of a lack of starting pitching last season, and I don’t anticipate Mike Elias sitting on his hands again. The Orioles still have a talented group of position players, but they’re not going anywhere meaningful without getting some starting pitching. Colton Cowser was the runner-up for AL ROY two years ago, but hit .196 in 2025 over 360 PA’s. Cowser is a solid defender and still has four years of team control. The Brewers can get an everyday player with the ceiling of All Star in exchange for one year of Freddy Peralta. Acquiring the former 1st-round pick also gives the Brewers lineup more power– Colton has 30 HR pop when healthy.
Colton Cowser Profile (Baseball Reference)
Red Sox trade LF Jarren Duran and Masataka Yoshida to the Pirates for RHS Mitch Keller, RHS Thomas Harrington, and OF Edward Florentino
Much has been made about the crowded outfield in Fenway, and for good reason. Premium defender Ceddanne Rafaela is in center, Jarren and Wilyer Abreu are in the corners. However, phenom Roman Anthony has now proven himself in The Show, and Boston has three spots for four guys. Duran is the logical guy to move, with three years of control and higher pedigree. The left-handed hitter has led the league in triples in back-to-back seasons, while finishing 8th in the AL MVP in 2024. He’s a legit five tool player and even has 15-20 HR power. Masataka Yoshida only adds to this logjam, even though he is predominately a DH at this point. Yoshida struggled last season post-shoulder surgery, but he has a 109 OPS+ in the MLB. That is good enough for a starting DH on a modest salary. Craig Breslow wants to dump the remaining $37.2M obligation on Yoshida’s contract– why not pair him with a talented guy like Duran? The Pirates can get an All Star without having to pay a guy on the open market, and they’ll get an above-average bat at DH as well. This trade would immediately improve the worst offense in baseball.
Masataka Yoshida Contract Years and Dollars Remaining (Spotrac)
The Sox get a reliable if unextraordinary starter in Mitch Keller. Mitch has averaged 31 starts over four years, with a respectable 4.15 ERA in over 700 innings of work. He’s only 29 years old, and under contract for three more years on a reasonable extension. Additionally, Boston adds some needed starting pitching depth in Tom Harrington, a former first rounder out of Campbell University. Tanner Houck, Patrick Sandoval, and Kutter Crawford are all coming off of serious injuries. Harrington has plus command, and should be able to eat innings in the back of a rotation at worst. If he can improve his breaking stuff, he has a shot to be a mid-rotation starter, though he got tagged in AAA earlier this year. Lastly, Ben Cherington sends teenage outfielder Edward Florentino (BA #94) to his former team to complete this deal. Florentino broke out in 2025, posting a .948 OPS across multiple levels. He’s got 60 grade contact and power, though there is a decent chance he will ultimately end up in a corner instead of center field. Since he’s only 19, and has yet to face high-level pitching, there is plenty of risk to go along with the high ceiling. Three years of Jarren Duran is no small addition, and the Pirates will likely have to part with one of their top four prospects to pull this off.
Snakes trade 2B Ketel Marte to Mariners for 2B Cole Young and SHP Jurrangelo Cijntje
Arizona just extended the best second baseman in baseball, and now they’re actively shopping him. It’s a bit odd, but they’re still going to be able to get a haul for him despite his contract and veteran age of 32. Marte has an .887 OPS over the last three seasons, and his 140 wRC+ from 2023-2025 beats runner up Jose Altuve for best offensive production in baseball as a second baseman. For the man who finished 3rd in the NL MVP just in 2024, the Mariners will have to fork up some legit prospects. Marte is owed about $112.5M, and he could be under contract as late as 2031 if he picks up his final player option. Originally a Mariner, Marte has found a way to reimagine himself as a middle-of-the-order hitter after hitting three homers in 176 games for Seattle. Ketel could make this lineup the best in the American League, while also freeing up a guy like Cole Young on the other end of this deal. Cole could play everyday in the desert, while the ascendant switch pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje (BA #89) will find a rotation spot much easier as well than he would in the already full Mariner rotation. As mentioned in the mock trade for Joe Ryan, Cole Young is a capable defender with a 60 grade hit tool. Jurrangelo is not only cool as can be, he has both a plus slider and plus fastball. He’s been successful pitching from both sides so far, but he is better as a righty. If he can improve his command, he has the chance to be a frontline starter.
