10 players who could be on the move at MLB's winter meetings

This year's winter meetings are rapidly approaching as players, agents, and team executives gather in Dallas.

Here, we take a look at some players who could come up in trade conversations at this year's meetings and some teams that are likely to show interest.

Garrett Crochet

Best fits: Orioles, Phillies, Red Sox

Crochet is the crown jewel on this offseason's trade market. The left-hander emerged as a dominant starting pitcher in 2024, registering a 3.02 ERA with 150 strikeouts across 107 1/3 innings en route to earning his first career All-Star nod. The White Sox managed Crochet's innings down the stretch and decided not to trade him at the deadline despite rumors connecting him to a handful of teams.

The 25-year-old is arbitration-eligible for another two seasons before he's scheduled to hit free agency. It's fair to assume any interested teams would want to work out an extension with Crochet to keep the ascending pitcher in the fold for the long haul.

Devin Williams

Best fits: Blue Jays, Rangers, D-Backs

Williams continues to rank among the game's elite closers. His postseason struggles are well-documented, but the good largely outweighs the bad when it comes to the 30-year-old right-hander. Williams ranks among the league leaders for relief pitchers in ERA (1.70), K/9 (14.64), and fWAR since the start of the 2020 season. He put together another excellent season in 2024 after missing the first half with a back injury, posting a 1.25 ERA, 15.78 K/9 and 14 saves in 22 appearances.

Williams has one year of team control remaining before hitting free agency and is projected to make $7.7 million in arbitration, according to MLB Trade Rumors. With Milwaukee still aiming to be competitive, there's a chance they hang on to Williams until the trade deadline.

Yandy Díaz

Best fits: Astros, Yankees, Nationals

Díaz was rumored to be on the move at the deadline before the Rays ultimately decided to keep him. The 33-year-old regressed at the plate in 2024 after winning the AL batting title the previous season. Díaz still enjoyed a productive campaign on the whole, hitting .281 with 14 home runs, 65 RBIs, 31 doubles, and a 116 OPS+ in 145 games. He owns a career .806 OPS and consistently shows elite plate discipline and contact skills.

Díaz is slated to earn $10 million in 2025 and has a $12-million club option for 2026. That's a very reasonable price for a quality first baseman that has been a strong producer throughout his eight-year career.

Nolan Arenado

Best fits: Reds, Tigers, Yankees

Arenado holds the power with a full no-trade clause. It's becoming increasingly clear that he's open to a deal to a contender as he prepares for the 13th season of his illustrious career. Arenado is still an elite defender at third base, although there are some concerning trends in his offensive profile. The 33-year-old is still a productive player on the whole and could elevate a team in search of a steady presence at the hot corner.

Luis Robert Jr.

Best fits: Nationals, Phillies, Astros

The White Sox might have missed the window to maximize the return on a Robert trade after the outfielder slumped through the worst season of his career. Robert missed time due to injury, a recurring theme throughout his career. When he was healthy, Robert hit just .224 with 14 home runs, 35 RBIs, and was worth 0.5 fWAR over 100 games. Those were all career-worst marks for the 27-year-old. That being said, Robert is just one year removed from posting a 128 wRC+, 38 home runs, 90 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases in 145 games. That level of power and speed combined with stellar defensive play in center field is hard to find.

Robert is under contract for three more years for $55 million. It's hard to pinpoint what White Sox general manager Chris Getz might be looking for in a trade but teams searching for outfield help would do well to inquire. Players with Robert's level of talent don't hit the trade market that often.

Pete Fairbanks

Best fits: Yankees, Royals, Cubs

Fairbanks should be a priority target for teams looking for help at the back of the bullpen. The 30-year-old racked up 23 saves with a 3.57 ERA and 8.7 K/9 in 2024 after posting a 195 ERA+, and 13.8 K/9 across the 2022 and 2023 campaigns. Fairbanks is under contract for just under $4 million this season and has a $7-million club option for 2026.

Jordan Montgomery

Best fits: Rangers, Red Sox, Braves

Montgomery's first season in Arizona was an unmitigated disaster. The left-hander struggled from the outset and was eventually bumped out of the rotation. D-Backs owner Ken Kendrick admitted the move to add Montgomery was a mistake, calling it a "horrible" signing.

Montgomery exercised his $22.5-million option but it still feels like a long shot to expect him to still be with the Diamondbacks when spring training gets underway. The 31-year-old is just a season removed from posting a 3.20 ERA in 188 2/3 innings and helping the Texas Rangers win the World Series. Interested teams will likely want the Diamondbacks to eat some of the money but he's a worthwhile gamble considering his track record.

Ryan Helsley

Best fits: Blue Jays, Padres, Royals

Helsley is among the game's best relievers and enjoyed a career season in 2024, leading the majors with 49 saves. The 30-year-old is excellent at avoiding hard contact, ranking in the 97th percentile in barrel rate last year.

Helsley is projected to earn just under $7 million in 2025 before he reaches free agency. He doesn't have the same track record as Williams but could have a similarly positive impact on an acquiring club's bullpen.

Josh Naylor

Best fits: Mariners, Yankees, Pirates

Naylor doesn't seem like an obvious trade candidate at first glance. However, the Guardians have Kyle Manzardo and Jhonkensy Noel who are best suited getting playing time at first base or designated hitter. Naylor is projected to make $12 million in his final season of arbitration before reaching free agency. The Guardians were in the bottom 10 in payroll last season and have never been a team that's comfortable shelling out big dollars, especially at a position where there are other cheaper internal options.

Jeffrey Springs

Best fits: Giants, Padres, Mets

Springs is under contract for two years at $10.5 million per season with a $15-million 2027 team option. The 32-year-old returned from elbow surgery to register a 2-2 record with a 3.27 ERA and 37 strikeouts over 33 innings. The Rays can likely afford to shop Springs with Shane McClanahan, Taj Bradley, Ryan Pepiot, and Shane Baz entrenched in the rotation. Springs boasts an excellent changeup, which induced a whiff rate of 44.2% last season and 50% in 2023. He profiles and excellent middle-of-the-rotation option for clubs looking to bolster their rotation.