A look at the top five remaining trade candidates

Last week was a busy one for trades. That’s not surprising because executives from every team gathered at MLB’s Winter Meetings in Dallas.

The Chicago White Sox dealt a huge trade chip by sending left-hander Garrett Crochet to the Boston Red Sox. The New York Yankees acquired closer Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers. The Houston Astros shipped right fielder Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs.

Rest assured groundwork was laid for more trades. Here’s a look at five players who are likely to be with new teams by the time spring training begins in two months:

Nolan Arenado, Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals are retooling this winter and looking to lower their payroll and get younger. President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak has been refreshingly candid about his willingness to trade Arenado, the 33-year-old third baseman who has three years and $74 million -- $10 of which will be paid by the Colorado Rockies – on his contract.

“From a financial standpoint of trying to move our payroll, there are certainly other ways to do that, but a trade would be a big help. It’s financial, but it also creates a runway for someone else,” Mozeliak said. “These decisions are not something we ever take lightly. Nolan is not demanding a trade. He’s not telling me I have to do it, but I think in the best interest of both sides I’d like to try to find him some place to land.”

Arenado is a 10-time Gold Glove winner, eight-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger winner. Yet the Cardinals would be selling low after he hit .272/.325/.394 with 16 home runs in 152 games this year.

Arenado has told Mozeliak that he is willing to move to first base to help facilitate being traded. Arenado has a no-trade clause in his contract and is willing to be dealt to the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres.

The Astros have shown interest in Arenado in case they fail to re-sign free agent third baseman Alex Bregman. It is not known whether Arenado would consider the Astros.

Luis Arraez, Padres

The Padres first baseman/designated hitter has the distinction of being the first player in MLB history to win three consecutive batting titles with three different teams – the Minnesota Twins in 2022, Miami Marlins in 2023 and Padres in 2024.

Arraez might be able to make it four for four if the Padres trade him. San Diego needs to cut payroll and Arraez is a candidate to be dealt as he is eligible for arbitration this winter and projected to have a $14.6-million salary next season before becoming eligible for free agency.

The 27-year-old batted .314/.346/.392 in 150 games and had 200 hits. However, Arraez also hit just four home runs, and his defensive shortcomings caused the Padres to switch him from second base to first base.

The Padres might have a hard time finding a trading partner for Arraez because of his lack of power, though the Detroit Tigers could possibly be a fit as spacious Comerica Park would suit his hitting style. Yet adding Arraez would give Detroit seven left-handed hitters in their projected opening day lineup.

Cody Bellinger, Cubs

After Bellinger turned his career around with an outstanding 2023 season, the Cubs re-signed the first baseman/center fielder to a three-year, $80-million contract. They quickly had buyer’s remorse as the 29-year-old hit .266/.325/.426 with 18 home runs in 130 games.

Bellinger had opt-out clauses for 2025 and 2026 but declined to exercise the first option and will have a salary of $27.5 million next season. The 2026 option is worth $25 million with a $5-million buyout.

The Yankees have the most interest in Bellinger after losing out to the Mets on Juan Soto. The Yankees also have a need for a first baseman as they aren’t expected to re-sign Anthony Rizzo in free agency.

The Cubs have had multiple discussions about Bellinger but continue to haggle over how much of his contract Chicago is willing to pay down.

Alec Bohm, Phillies

The third baseman is coming off a solid season for the Phillies, hitting .280/.332/.448 with 15 home runs in 143 games. However, a second-half slide by Bohm has the Phillies looking for other options at the hot corner with Arenado and Bregman being possibilities.

Bohm has two years left before becoming a free agent and is projected to have an $8.1-million salary next season in arbitration, so he would be affordable for many teams. However, the Phillies were turned down when they asked for Athletics closer Mason Miller and Seattle Mariners right-hander Luis Castillo.

Bohm’s right-handed bat would be a better fit for the Tigers than Arraez. The Washington Nationals could also use a run producer – Bohm had 97 RBIs this year -- though the Phillies might not want to trade him inside the National League East.

Jesus Luzardo, Marlins

The Marlins cleaned house at the end of last season, firing over 70 employees. They also mutually parted ways with Skip Schumaker, who was the NL Manager of the Year in 2023 when he led the Marlins to the playoffs.

As Peter Bendix enters his second year as the President of Baseball Operations, he has made it clear that just about anyone on the roster is available. Plenty of teams have interest in Luzardo, a 27-year-old left-hander, even though he was limited to 12 starts last season because of elbow and back injuries and went 3-6 with a 5.00 ERA.

Luzardo has two years of contractual control left and is projected to have a $6-million salary in 2025 through arbitration. While the elbow injury is cause for concern, Luzardo would help almost any team. Some of the top fits would be the Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Cubs, Cleveland Guardians, Angels, Mets and San Francisco Giants.