6 Trade Targets at 2025 MLB Winter Meetings: Ragans, Marte

The 2025 MLB winter meetings are shaping up to be a pressure cooker of roster shuffling, payroll maneuvering, and long-term planning. A bunch of speculative trade ideas has put names like Ryan Jeffers, Trevor Megill, Brendan Donovan, Brady Singer, Ketel Marte, and Cole Ragans right in the spotlight.

Let’s take a look at how these potential deals might reshape contenders, reset rebuilds, and set the tone for the 2025 season (and probably beyond).

Phillies Eye Ryan Jeffers as a Catching Upgrade

The Phillies have been searching for more stability and production behind the plate. Ryan Jeffers of the Twins checks a lot of boxes for them.

With Minnesota reportedly in the middle of a fire sale and open to moving controllable talent, Jeffers looks like an especially intriguing fit. In this proposed deal, Philadelphia would land Jeffers in exchange for pitching prospect Mavis Graves and infield prospect Carson DeMartini.

It’s a classic win-now move for a club right in its contention window, trading future upside for present impact behind the dish.

Why Jeffers Fits the Phillies’ Timeline

Jeffers brings a mix of power, on-base ability, and improving defensive skills. For the Phillies, who lean on their offense and have dealt with inconsistencies at catcher, adding a controllable, prime-age backstop could stabilize both the lineup and the pitching staff.

The Twins, meanwhile, could shave salary and deepen their farm with two projectable pieces.

Yankees and Brewers: A Bullpen Deal Around Trevor Megill

The Milwaukee Brewers have always walked a tightrope between competing and staying within budget. Dealing closer Trevor Megill fits their usual pattern.

The New York Yankees, always looking for late-inning firepower, seem like a logical destination. The hypothetical return to Milwaukee would feature a prospect-heavy package: Carlos Lagrange, T.J. Rumfield, and Harrison Cohen.

For the Yankees, it’s a way to add a high-octane arm without touching the top of their farm system.

Payroll Relief Meets Bullpen Urgency

Milwaukee could move Megill to ease payroll pressure and spread risk across multiple prospects. For New York, grabbing an established late-inning option is crucial, especially given injury concerns and recent volatility in their relief corps.

Dodgers Target Brendan Donovan’s Versatility

The Los Angeles Dodgers are masters at maximizing versatile pieces. Brendan Donovan of the Cardinals fits right into their blueprint.

He can move between infield and outfield while offering quality at-bats. Donovan is exactly the type of player the Dodgers often turn into an everyday weapon.

St. Louis, looking to retool and deepen its farm, would reportedly seek a prospect trio: Emil Morales, River Ryan, and Kendall George. It’s a steep price, but that reflects Donovan’s value, control, and positional flexibility.

A Classic Dodgers Move

Donovan would give the Dodgers lineup flexibility, injury insurance, and another high-OBP bat in a run-producing offense. For the Cardinals, the deal could enhance organizational depth, especially on the pitching and athleticism fronts.

Astros and Reds: Brady Singer for Jacob Melton

The Houston Astros remain in the thick of the contention cycle but have clear rotation questions. Enter Brady Singer, who, in this scenario, is dealt from the Reds to Houston in exchange for outfielder Jacob Melton.

For the Astros, Singer would provide mid-rotation stability and innings—something they’ve quietly lacked in recent seasons. The Cincinnati Reds would give up a proven arm for a dynamic outfield prospect who fits their youth movement.

Rotation Stability vs. Outfield Upside

Houston has long prioritized controllable pitching, and Singer fits that mold: still in his prime, capable of logging 150+ innings, and with room for growth. Melton gives Cincinnati another high-upside bat to pair with its young core.

Ketel Marte on the Move? Mariners and D-backs Linked

Few names carry the intrigue of Ketel Marte. He’s a cornerstone-caliber second baseman with real offensive impact and has become a trade candidate due to his looming 10-and-5 rights and a back-loaded contract that complicates long-term planning for the Mariners.

The proposed suitor is the Arizona Diamondbacks, who could send right-hander Logan Evans and top prospects Michael Arroyo and Felnin Celesten in return. It’s a heavy price for Arizona, but Marte’s bat and positional track record make it worth a real conversation.

Contract Dynamics Driving a Blockbuster

Once Marte gets full 10-and-5 rights (10 years in MLB, five with the same team), he’ll have veto power over trades, shrinking Seattle’s options. Moving him now could net the Mariners three significant young pieces and help them avoid future logjams.

Mets Swing Big for Royals Ace Cole Ragans

The New York Mets have made it clear they’re not interested in a slow rebuild. Cole Ragans of the Royals is the kind of top-of-the-rotation arm who could instantly change their trajectory.

In this proposed blockbuster, the Mets would send a substantial package: Jonah Tong, Carson Benge, Ronny Mauricio, and Ryan Clifford. For the Kansas City Royals, parting with an ace is painful but could restock multiple levels of the organization with MLB-ready and near-ready talent.

The Mets would get Ragans to anchor a rotation that desperately needs both upside and durability.

A Franchise-Defining Deal

This is the type of move that could define an era, honestly. The Mets would be betting big on Ragans staying healthy and performing like a true No. 1 or high-end No. 2 starter.

The Royals, in turn, would exchange one elite arm for a spread of controllable position players and pitching, diversifying their future core.

Winter Meetings as a Pivot Point for MLB Futures

Across all these speculative deals, the themes keep repeating: financial flexibility, roster balance, and long-term upside.

Teams like the Phillies, Yankees, Dodgers, Astros, D-backs, and Mets want to fix immediate problems.

Meanwhile, clubs like the Twins, Brewers, Cardinals, Reds, Mariners, and Royals seem more interested in bigger-picture gains.

This year, a ton of highly regarded prospects are in play.

Some are already knocking on the major-league door.

The 2025 MLB winter meetings might end up being a lot more than just rumor and speculation.

They could actually reshape contenders and speed up rebuilds in just one wild week of phone calls and high-stakes talks.

 
Here is the source article for this story: 6 Fresh Trade Ideas for Cole Ragans, Ketel Marte and More at 2025 MLB Winter Meetings