#trade-speculation

#trade-speculation

The New York Islanders have had one heck of a resurgent season. Entering Friday night's action, the Isles are one point off the Metro Division lead. That's a huge difference over last year's frustrating season. That's nothing to sneeze at. It's been the product of several key players turning things around. For instance, Ilya Sorokin is back to his Vezina Trophy-caliber play. Anders Lee looks rejuvenated and reinvigorated. Bo Horvat, recent injury notwithstanding, is playing at career-best levels.

"He's one of the best players in baseball, is a two-time Platinum (Glove) winner,"

Perez is already under team control through the 2029 season and doesn't even become arbitration-eligible until next winter, so there is zero urgency on Miami's part to move a pitcher who looks like a cornerstone. Of course, the Marlins' stance could change if a team approached them with a truly huge trade proposal for Perez, but barring that type of Godfather offer, Perez will surely be staying put.

Nolan Arenado is a veteran third-baseman known for his very good defense (he has 10 Gold Gloves to date). He was on the Rockies from 2013-2020 before being traded to the Cardinals in 2021, where he has since remained, until very possibly this offseason. Trading for him would likely cost some minor prospects and money for the Cardinals to use in their rebuild.

Dec 1, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. (17) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Twenty games into the season, the Brooklyn Nets are right where many expected them to be. Sitting at 416 and positioned for what will likely be a top-five pick in a loaded upcoming draft, the development of their young players will be the primary focus moving forward.

I ain't saying nothing. I'm just trying to win, that's it. That's what we're going to keep doing.

Trade speculation on Lowe is an annual offseason tradition. His salaries have escalated over the course of the extension he signed in Spring Training 2019. They've remained below market value for one of the better offensive middle infielders in the sport. That surely has led to a lot of trade interest over the years, but the Rays have valued Lowe highly enough to not bite on anything they've been offered thus far.

If the Dallas Mavericks move to trade Anthony Davis, which appears to be getting more and more likely by the day, the Miami Heat could have a potential superstar target that may be worth going all-in for. And, in theory, the idea of trading for AD should be viewed as a very appealing option for the Heat. Whether or not the Mavs will pivot to shopping AD is still in question,

Landing a premiere talent, who proved to be one of the most dynamic scorers in the NBA at his peak seemed like a can't lose situation for the Clippers, especially considering the discounted price they landed him at. Beal joined the Western Conference contenders with the chance to not only prove he had plenty left in the tank, but that the Suns could be to blame for his career falling off the rails over the last few season.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today wrote on Monday that the Diamondbacks could shop second baseman Ketel Marte before he gets to 10 years of service time and locks in full no-trade rights two weeks into next season. Under the CBA, any player with 10 years of service, the past five of which have come with one team, cannot be traded without their consent.

As a 22 year old D-man, Owen Power came into the league as one of the most promising players, especially lining up with fellow first overall pick Rasmus Dahlin. As a right and left defensive pairing, the Sabres would have one of the most exciting and promising blue lines, but four years in so far, Power doesn't loom first overall caliber.

Gold Glove defense. Abreu won the AL right field Gold Glove in 2024 and is a finalist for 2025. Back-to-back Gold Gloves isn't nothing. It's in fact a lot. For as maligned as the Red Sox defense is (largely confined to errors, the Sox rated better by other metrics) Wilyer Abreu has been an excellent fit. Right field at Fenway Park is big. It has corners. It has a bullpen. It has the Pesky Pole. It's a challenge and Abreu handles it with aplomb.

Ever since he first joined the Bruins back in 2014, David Pastrnak has gone on to be the franchise guy in Boston. He's the number one intangible, and somewhat untouchable guy for the Bruins. Pastrnak has played with the best of the best -- Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and Zdeno Chara -- but as of late, he seems to be the only real elite guy left.

Munetaka Murakami to be posted for MLB clubs this offseason (2:20) Ten teams will go into 2026 with a new manager, with eight of those jobs currently vacant (18:50) Plus, we answer your questions, including... Can the Mets get Tarik Skubal from the Tigers? (29:55) Would Pete Alonso return to the Mets if they offered $150MM over five years? (38:20)

Anders Lee has two frames of reference as he enters the final season of his seven-year, $49 million deal at age 35. The first is, the Islanders captain went through this all before and can take an objective view on how it all may play out. Secondly, he watched former teammate and longtime friend Brock Nelson go through this last season, ending with his trade to the Avalanche.

While we don't particularly enjoy thinking about the Leafs parting ways with someone who has been a joy to watch hit unsuspecting forwards as hard as possible, it might just come down to a numbers game. As The Athletic's James Mirtle wrote in a recent mailbag, the Leafs are looking for more of a puck-moving presence on the blue line and that should then result in them moving on from one of the more defensively minded defensemen.

Austin Reaves entered the 2025 playoffs as a rising star but struggled with performance due to injury, prompting speculation about his trade value and future.