Dynasty fantasy players often look ahead to the future, putting a lot of focus on the prospects who lie ahead rather than the veteran players who have a long-established track record of success. Veterans still serve as strong assets to any dynasty roster, and some of the best can go uncounted for when searching for upgrades on the trade market. Here are four veterans in MLB who could help any dynasty roster going into 2026.

 

Yandy Díaz

Díaz had another sneaky good season for the Tampa Bay Rays. Since the Rays didn’t make it to the postseason or play in their usual home ballpark of Tropicana Field,  and with the incredible breakout of Junior Caminero, Díaz’s impressive 2025 season went unnoticed by many.  He had 25 home runs, 83 RBI, a .300/.366/.482 slash line, 14.1% strikeout rate, and 8.8% walk rate. While Díaz played the majority of games at DH with the rising performance of Jonathan Aranda, he is still eligible to be pencilled in as a first baseman for any dynasty team. No matter what position he’s in, Díaz is a strong asset for any team’s first base or DH role. His 2025 numbers are admirable for any player entering their age-34 season, particularly for a team needing extra depth, which makes him a top-tier trade candidate for 2026.

 

Andrew Benintendi

Benintendi has been the most recognizable name on two very bad White Sox teams the last two seasons. Though it was his fewest games in a single season with the White Sox (116), he put up a respectable .240/.307/.431 slash line with 20 home runs, 63 RBI, a 17.4% strikeout rate, and 8.5% walk rate. Benintendi is by no means an everyday starter in fantasy leagues, but his rebound with the White Sox this year sets him up as a desirable backup outfield option among veteran outfielders. His consistency at the plate the last two seasons should make him strong depth for any dynasty team’s bench, and anyone who still believes in the upside he showed during his early years with the Boston Red Sox.

 

Ryne Nelson

The Arizona Diamondbacks‘ starting rotation underperformed from their expectations going into 2025. Corbin Burnes went down with Tommy John surgery after 11 starts, and Zac Gallen, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Brandon Pfaadt all had ERAs north of 4.80 in 29 or more starts. The one pitcher who stepped up when this trio struggled was Ryne Nelson. Nelson only made 23 starts and 10 relief appearances, but in 154 innings, he pitched to a 3.39 ERA, 21.3% strikeout rate, 6.6% walk rate, and 1.07 WHIP. The breakout season from Nelson has certainly made him increase his trade value, and doing so for a team with bigger names in their pitching talent makes him a desirable trade candidate for any dynasty team.

 

Chris Bassitt

Perhaps no veteran pitcher proved his worth in the postseason more than Chris Bassitt. While the Blue Jays used him exclusively as a reliever, he pitched to a 1.04 ERA in seven appearances, allowing just five base runners in 8.2 innings, none of which were extra base hits. While the soon to be 37 year old is a free agent, Bassitt has shown no signs of retiring and is still plenty capable as a middle-of-the-rotation arm for any team needing to bolster their starting rotation for 2026. His 3.96 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 7.1% walk rate, 22.6% strikeout rate, and 166 strikeouts in 170 innings are not All-Star worthy, but the former All-Star is still a dependable starter for any team needing one. And if his next team decides to move him to the bullpen full-time after his postseason performance, he will still be admirable bullpen depth for any dynasty team wanting to bank on his 2025 postseason performance.