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In MLB The Show 26, the "Untouchable" designation is now a key part of Franchise Mode. It's designed to protect your best players from lowball CPU trades and prevent accidental mistakes. If you want to build a long-lasting dynasty, mastering Untouchables is essential—especially alongside features like the 8-player Trade Hub and multi-day trade evaluation delays.

Mastering the "Untouchable" Designation

The Untouchable tag isn't just a label—it's a signal to the AI about which players are off-limits and how much they're worth.

Protect Your Core: Mark your top prospects and franchise cornerstones as Untouchable. This prevents the AI from targeting your best players for trades.
Prevent Accidental Trades: Avoid including a generational talent in a larger trade package by locking them down with this tag.
Understand CPU Logic: The AI also respects Untouchables. Foundational stars on other teams, like Gunnar Henderson, are much harder to acquire, especially mid-season.

Treat Untouchables as your "do not touch" list—it's the difference between building a dynasty and losing a future Hall of Famer for pennies.

Strategic Roster Building Tips

Building a strong franchise isn't just about keeping stars; it's about smart positioning and maximizing value. Here's how to do it:

Strategy   Actionable Tip
Early Extensions   Sign young stars to 8-year deals before their Market Sentiment spikes. This locks in long-term budget flexibility.
Defensive Core   Prioritize elite defense and speed at up-the-middle positions (C, 2B, SS, CF) to reduce runs allowed and secure more wins.
Corner Power   Acquire high-power hitters for corner infield (1B, 3B) and corner outfield (LF, RF) positions.
High-Ceiling PXP   Focus on "Red Diamond" tier prospects—they have the highest ceiling for PXP 2.0 mods, ensuring your future stars continue to grow.

By combining Untouchables with strategic roster decisions, you create a foundation that can compete year after year.

Navigating the New Trade Hub

The Trade Hub is now a centralized location for all trading activity. While powerful, it requires patience and planning.

Plan for Delays: Instant trades are gone. CPU teams now take multiple days to evaluate offers, and rivals can try to block or outbid you.
Use All 8 Slots: You can now propose 4-for-4 trades. Combine mid-tier prospects or unwanted contracts to land a top-tier player.
Monitor the Rumor Board: Check it daily in July to spot Sellers before players officially hit the trade block.
Small-Market Tactics: Target small-market teams with large contracts—they often want to move salary and will accept fewer prospects in return.

With patience and careful planning, the Trade Hub becomes a strategic tool rather than a chore.

In MLB The Show 26, protecting your stars with the Untouchable tag is just the first step to building a championship franchise. Combine this with smart roster construction, early contract moves, and savvy use of the Trade Hub, and you'll set up a team that dominates for years. Treat your Untouchables as cornerstones, plan trades carefully, and your franchise will stay competitive even as rookies rise and veterans decline.