The 3 Trade Targets Every MLB Team Should Want Now

Teams should be looking to make moves already, despite it being early in the 2026 season.

Apr 10, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Jarren Duran (16, right) looks to throw to the infield after catching a St. Louis Cardinals fly ball as teammate Boston Red Sox center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela (3, left) runs behind him at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Vizer-Imagn Images | Tim Vizer-Imagn Images

While it's just April, there are guys out there that teams should be trying to trade for right now.

Over the last few weeks, we've already started to see a few under-the-radar trades get done. Most recently, the Seattle Mariners and Tampa Bay Rays got a deal done that sent Casey Legumina to Tampa Bay and Ty Cummings to the Mariners.

It's rare to see many game-changing deals get done at this point in the year, but that doesn't mean that teams shouldn't try. Last season, the Milwaukee Brewers acquired Quinn Priester from the Boston Red Sox on April 7. Priester went on to pitch to a 3.32 ERA in 29 total appearances for Milwaukee to go along with a 13-3 record.

The Red Sox swung a second early deal in June to send Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants. Who could be the first big-name to go this season? Here are the three trade targets that every team should want right now.

Jarren Duran

Apr 10, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Jarren Duran (16) snags a St. Louis Cardinals fly ball to the outfield at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Vizer-Imagn Images | Tim Vizer-Imagn Images

Let's start with a club that swung two early deals last year. Boston earned its 10th win of the season on Saturday afternoon. The offense broke out with 17 runs, but this team isn't fixed yet. There is an outfield logjam and Duran seems like the most likely guy on the bubble. At some point, the Red Sox are going to have to make some sort of move. Teams should be trying to capitalize as fast as possible and make a move when Duran's trade value isn't very high.

Isaac Paredes

Apr 22, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes (15) throws to first base to get out Cleveland Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan (38) during the eighth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images | David Dermer-Imagn Images

Paredes is a two-time All-Star with 20-plus homer power. The 2026 season hasn't been great for him. He's slashing .218/.322/.346 with two homers and 10 RBIs in 22 games played. Things haven't gone well for the Astros in general. Houston is 10-17. If the Astros keep losing, someone needs to make an offer to nab Paredes as fast as they can before he turns it around.

Eric Lauer

Apr 11, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Eric Lauer (56) throws a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images | Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

The Toronto Blue Jays lefty was demoted from the starting rotation to the bullpen on Saturday. Trey Yesavage is coming off the Injured List for Toronto. With Yesavage coming off the Injured List, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet reported that Lauer is heading to the bullpen. The 30-year-old has a 6.75 ERA in 22 2/3 innings pitched. Not great, but he has a 4.21 ERA. Last year, he had a 3.18 ERA in 28 total outings, including 15 starts, for Toronto. If someone is looking for an arm, Lauer is worth a call now that he's heading to the bullpen.