Baseball is a world of trades, where players and assets are constantly evaluated and exchanged. Welcome to the 2024 edition of our annual Trade Value series, where we rank the top 50 most valuable players in baseball based on performance, age, and contract.
This year, I took a comprehensive approach to creating this list. I analyzed various inputs such as age, contract status, current and projected performance, and advanced statistics like Statcast data. After establishing an initial ranking, I delved into individual player comparisons and sought feedback from industry experts and team sources.
While these rankings are subjective, they represent my assessment of which players would command the highest trade value in the current market. It’s important to note that this list does not reflect a consensus within the industry, as different teams have varying priorities and resources.
I considered the unique circumstances of each player, focusing on potential trade value rather than average team valuation. This approach allows for a clear understanding of individual player worth in a trade scenario.
As I unveil the list, you’ll notice tiers that group players based on their relative value. These tiers provide a structured view of player rankings and emphasize the differences in trade value among players within and across tiers.
Ranking the top 50 players was a challenging task, with several close calls among borderline candidates. The cutoff at 50 players was a necessary decision to maintain the list’s quality without diluting it with marginal entries.
For those players who appeared on last year’s list, their 2023 ranking is mentioned in parentheses, providing insight into their change in value over time. Additionally, players who dropped off the list entirely from last year are highlighted separately.
Join me for a live chat on Friday at 10 AM ET to discuss the list and answer any questions you may have. Without further ado, let’s begin with the honorable mentions.
Departing the List, Not an Honorable Mention
- Wander Franco (2)
- Framber Valdez (22)
- Alejandro Kirk (39)
- Jordan Walker (43)
- Cedric Mullins (44)
- Lars Nootbaar (47)
- Ke’Bryan Hayes (48)
- Josh Jung (49)
Unfortunately, Wander Franco is facing serious legal issues and unlikely to continue his baseball career. Framber Valdez’s performance has not justified his inclusion on the list, given his impending free agency. The remaining players in this group are primarily hitters who fell short of making the final cut.
