2 The Bigs

By Sal Corso: December 3rd, 2025:

There is no question that teams will look to make a splash at the Winter Meetings. I’m putting myself in each of these GM’s shoes and will share my favorite trades that I think each of these teams should make. Let’s jump right in:

1. Tarik Skubal –> New York Mets

Tigers Receive: Jett Williams (OF), Brandon Sproat (SP), AJ Ewing (OF), Ronny Mauricio (2B)

Yes, Skubal is a one-year rental. No, that does not mean he comes at a discount. Skubal gives a competing team an automatic shot at a World Series title. Steve Cohen made a major mistake last year; he completely disregarded the rotation when he shelled out nearly a billion dollars in free agency. He’s not doing that again. The Mets have one of the best farm systems in baseball AND the owner that would be willing to offer another $500m+ contract, regardless of the luxury taxes that would follow. Even without the long-term deal, Skubal gives the Mets a vital year during Soto’s prime to win a title over the Dodgers. Imagine a rotation of Skubal, McLean, Tong, Manea, Senga/Holmes.

2. Byron Buxton –> Detroit Tigers

Twins receive: Bryce Rainer (SS), Max Anderson (INF), Malachi Witherspoon (SP)

An in-division trade? I’d usually say no, but the Tigers need outfield help and the Twins would be happy to grab a couple of top prospects that could damage the Tigers in the future. The Tigers have an influx of talent in the farm, but Max Clark is the lone outfielder. Imagine an outfield in late ’26-early ’27 of Buxton, Clark and Greene. Buxton has a ton of time left on his deal, and he’s coming off his healthiest and best season of the recent past. But the Tigers can give back some good prospects that can load up the Twins for a rebuild without touching their elites (Clark, McGonigle, Briceno).

3. Joe Ryan –> Baltimore Orioles

Twins receive: Dylan Beavers (OF), Nate George (OF), Boston Bateman (SP)

The Orioles are like the Mets, just worse. For some reason, they decided “we’re not going to worry about pitching”. That led to a disastrous year, followed-by a questionable move to send Grayson Rodriguez to the Angels. Well, here’s their shot at an ace. Ryan becomes a free agent after 2027, so this gives the O’s two prime years of Joe, if they decide not to extend him. I know Orioles fans will snap at the inclusion of Dylan Beavers in this deal, but sorry, you need front-end rotation pitching.

4. CJ Abrams –> New York Yankees

Nationals receive: Ben Hess (SP), Dax Kilby (SS)

This is a fun one for me. I love CJ Abrams, I do not love Anthony Volpe. These two are polar-opposites, where Abrams is an exciting bat, he struggles at the shortstop position. Where Volpe thrives as a fielder, he is statistically the worst starting hitter in baseball (by OPS). The Yankees could keep Abrams at SS or move him to 2^nd, Jazz to 3^rd and worry about shortstop later. The Yankees haven’t had a true lead-off hitter in some time, slotting Abrams in front of Judge would be an exciting option for them without having to spend more. Especially if they plan on doing so to fill the outfield (Bellinger/Tucker) and the rotation/bullpen. Kilby is tough to part with, but you have prime Judge and Cole for possibly 2-3 more years, win a ring.

5. Ketel Marte –> Seattle Mariners

Diamondbacks receive: Cole Young (2B), Ryan Sloan (SP), Harry Ford (SS)

This feels obvious for some reason. I love Cole Young, but the Mariners really want to win now. Ketel fills the 2B slot with a monster bat, while the Diamondbacks get a haul of MLB- ready talent in Young and Ford, and an exciting, young and very tall pitching prospect in Ryan Sloan.. All this, while the Mariners get to hold onto some of their more highly-touted prospects in Emerson, Montes and Arroyo.

6. Luis Robert –> San Francisco Giants

White Sox receive: Jhonny Level (OF), Bo Davidson (OF), Argenis Cayama (SP)

Will this be the year that Luis Robert is finally traded? It better be. The rebuild is underway in Chicago, and it’s moving faster than people think. The White Sox have accumulated a ton of young talent, and it’s time for them to ship off Robert for more. Robert has struggled, but his potential makes his contract fairly reasonable, and his return package as well.

7. Adley Rutschman –> Philadelphia Phillies

Orioles receive: Alec Bohm (INF), Dante Nori (OF), Aiden Miller (SS)

I love this for several reasons. One being that Adley just seems to fit in a Phillies jersey. The Phillies are nearly ready to start the next chapter: Schwarber and Castellanos are likely gone, and Harper, Turner & Realmuto are aging. The Orioles get Bohm who can slide to 1B and two near-MLB ready prospects. Plus, they see the potential in keeping Basallo behind the plate. The Phillies are ready to move on from Bohm, and with Justin Crawford coming to Philly, you don’t necessarily need another leadoff-type outfield bat in Nori. Aiden Miller is a tough sell, but Adley is still on that cheap deal, and the upside potential can’t be ignored.