The MLB offseason is off to a fast and furious start, and the stove is already red-hot before the winter meetings have even kicked off. Teams aren’t waiting around-deals are being made, rosters are shifting, and front offices are getting aggressive early.
The Toronto Blue Jays set the tone with a major move, and that seems to have opened the floodgates. Several teams have followed suit, with some dipping into the international market, including the KBO League, while others are keeping tabs on top-tier free agents still available. And let’s be clear-there’s still plenty of star power left on the board.
Names like Kyle Tucker, Cody Bellinger, and Bo Bichette headline a free agent class that could reshape multiple lineups. All three bring serious offensive firepower, and in a league where run production is at a premium, they’re going to command attention-and big contracts.
On the pitching side, the demand for reliable starters is as high as ever. Ranger Suárez and Framber Valdez are two of the most sought-after arms still on the market. Both come with postseason experience and the kind of consistency that teams crave at the top of a rotation.
Then there’s Freddy Peralta, the Milwaukee Brewers’ ace who posted a 17-6 record with a 2.70 ERA in 2025. That’s not just good-that’s elite.
And it’s exactly why Milwaukee isn’t in any rush to move him. According to MLB insider Bob Nightengale, the Brewers would need to be absolutely blown away to even consider trading Peralta.
Think: franchise-altering package. Otherwise, he’s staying put in Milwaukee, anchoring a rotation that’s looking to make another October run in 2026.
Peralta was a beacon for the Brewers this past season, and with the team eyeing another postseason push, it makes sense to keep their ace right where he is. Pitchers with that kind of production-and that kind of control-don’t come around often. If he’s moved, it won’t be for anything short of a haul.
Meanwhile, over in Boston, Jarren Duran’s future with the Red Sox is looking murky. He was on the trade block last season, but a deal never materialized.
Instead, the Sox made the surprising decision to move on from Rafael Devers. Now, with a wave of emerging talent like Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Wilyer Abreu, Duran’s role appears to be shrinking.
Nightengale reports that “it makes little sense to keep him,” and that tracks. Boston is also reportedly in the mix for big names like Alex Bregman and Pete Alonso, and if they’re serious about landing one-or both-of those stars, Duran could be a key piece in a potential deal. Given the current roster construction, moving on from Duran could be the right call.
In St. Louis, Brendan Donovan has become one of the most intriguing trade chips on the market.
While Nolan Arenado naturally draws attention, Donovan’s versatility and affordability make him a hot commodity. He can play multiple positions, he’s an All-Star, and he won’t break the bank-traits that make him a perfect fit for a number of contending teams looking to add flexibility and depth.
This early flurry of activity is just the beginning. With major free agents still unsigned and teams jockeying for position, we’re in for an offseason full of fireworks. The winter meetings are just around the corner, but the action is already heating up-and it’s clear that no one’s waiting for the calendar to turn before making big moves.