The 2026 Trade Value Series Takes Shape
The notion of measuring a player’s worth in a trade is as old as the sport itself, but FanGraphs is giving the conversation a fresh coat of data-driven analysis with its 2026 Trade Value Series.
The rankings, which aim to pinpoint the 50 players who could command the highest return on the market, are built on a blend of age, contract status, recent performance and projected future value. Analysts gathered a suite of inputs, refined the lists through internal debate and reached out to team insiders for perspective.
Because catchers tend to be more volatile and often sit under less lucrative deals, their valuation has been adjusted downward, while the current collective bargaining agreement negotiations add another layer of uncertainty for stars with sizable contracts.
Injured pitchers are deliberately left out of the list, given the high risk and ambiguity surrounding their recovery, and the series also flags a handful of honorable mentions and players who have fallen off the radar.
Among the names that made the cut are several arms who have drawn early buzz, including Spencer Strider, Garrett Crochet and Hunter Greene, while position players like Francisco Lindor and José Ramírez appear in the conversation alongside rising talents such as Jordan Westburg and Cade Horton. The process has also involved the voices of Dave Cameron, Kiley McDaniel, Craig Edwards, Kevin Goldstein, Dan Szymborski, Sean Dolinar, Meg Rowley and others who helped shape the final order.