Free agency officially began last night, as the five-day “quiet period” ended and players became free to negotiate with any team. There could be a mad dash to sign players ahead of the potential transaction freeze once the labor deal expires in December, although uncertainty over what the new rules of the game will be could inhibit teams from making moves.
Here’s a look at the top 30 free agents available this winter, and my predictions for who will sign them and for how much, plus a list of who else
is out there. The predictions are difficult to make, since we don’t know exactly what baseball’s economic structure will look like next year. My predictions assume that whatever changes are implemented will be phased in slowly over time.
You can see a full list of free agents here.
1. Tarik Skubal, starting pitcher
12-7, 2.72 ERA, 158.2 IP, 10.6 K/9, 4.6 rWAR
He is the unquestioned top player available, by a good margin. Skubal won back-to-back Cy Young Awards, but was limited to 158.2 innings last year due to minor elbow surgery this summer. He returned as good as ever, with a 2.73 ERA in 19 starts after his injury, so there shouldn’t be much injury concern. But with pitchers, injuries are always a concern.
Potential suitors: Blue Jays, Cubs, Dodgers, Mets, Yankees
Contract prediction: Dodgers, 9 years, $365 million
2. Freddy Peralta, starting pitcher
10-11, 4.42 ERA, 169.0 IP, 8.3 K/9, 0.7 rWAR
Peralta earned Cy Young votes last year, but was a disappointment with the Mets. He turned his season around after being traded to the Rays, allowing just three runs in 34 innings over his last six starts. He posted the highest ERA of his career since becoming a starter, but he still has “ace” potential and should command a top salary.
Potential suitors: Braves, Cardinals, Cubs, White Sox, Yankees
Contract prediction: Cubs, 5 years, $115 million
3. Randy Arozarena, outfielder
.281/.381/.484, 670 PA, 26 HR, 5.7 rWAR
Arozarena is the top bat available, coming off a career-high in OPS+ with 148 and a 20/20 season. He led the league in runs scored this year, and finished eighth among all AL players in rWAR. He will turn 32 in February and he was -5 in Outs Above Average in left field this year, so there may be some pause for teams thinking about giving him a long-term deal. Arozarena was tendered a Qualifying Offer, so any team that signs him will have to forfeit draft compensation.
Potential suitors: Blue Jays, Cubs, Mariners, Phillies, Red Sox
Contract prediction: Phillies, 4 years, $108 million
4. Seiya Suzuki, outfielder
.270/.368/.473, 634 PA, 26 HR, 5.1 rWAR
Suzuki is also coming off a strong season, with a career-high 81 walks. He has hit 20+ home runs and posted an OPS+ of 125 or better in each of the last four seasons. The 32-year old was a Gold Glove finalist for the first time after having a reputation as a poor defender. He was also given a Qualifying Offer, although the Cubs didn’t sound interested in getting into a bidding war to keep him.
Potential suitors: Blue Jays, Cubs, Mariners, Phillies, Red Sox
Contract prediction: Mariners, 4 years, $104 million
5. Trevor Rogers, starting pitcher
10-11, 4.03 ERA, 169.2 IP, 8.3 K/9, 2.2 rWAR
Rogers dominated in 18 starts in 2025 with a 1.81 ERA, but was underwhelming this year. But analytics types love his underlying metrics and stuff after some adjustments made at Driveline bumped his velocity up. He is a health risk, but most of his injuries have been muscle or leg injuries, not in the arm. He was given a Qualifying Offer and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he accepted or took a short-term deal to hit the market after a better season.
Potential suitors: Blue Jays, Braves, Cubs, Orioles, Tigers, White Sox
Contract prediction: Orioles, 4 years, $100 million
6. Michael King, starting pitcher
12-10, 3.21 ERA, 185.0 IP, 7.7 K/9, 4.3 rWAR
King declined a $28 million player option in the hopes of landing a long-term deal. He has a 3.15 ERA over the last three seasons since becoming a full-time starter, but he saw a significant decline in his strikeout rate. King has expressed a desire to stay in San Diego, and my guess is the new ownership group keeps him in the fold.
Potential suitors: Blue Jays, Dodgers, Mets, Orioles, Padres, Yankees
Contract prediction: Padres, 4 years, $96 million
7. Teruaki Sato, third baseman/outfielder
.306/.383/.609, 614 PA, 39 HR
Teruaki Sato is a left-handed power hitter who smashed 79 homers over the last two seasons for the Hanshin Tigers. The 27-year-old does have some swing and miss tendencies, although many of the same doubts plagued Munetaka Murakami, who hit 35 home runs for the White Sox. He plays third base but could ultimately move to first base or a corner outfield spot. He would need to be posted and signed by December 1.
Potential suitors: Angels, Phillies, Red Sox, Yankees
Contract prediction: Yankees, 5 years, $90 million
8. Jazz Chisholm Jr., second baseman
.231/.312/.399, 532 PA, 19 HR, 1.7 rWAR
Chisholm hit a career-high 31 home runs in 2025, winning a Silver Slugger Award. But he regressed badly in his contract year, and could look for a short-term deal to re-establish his value. He is capable of playing second or third base, and although he can have defensive lapses, he fared very well in Outs Above Average.
Potential suitors: Angels, Blue Jays, Braves, Padres, Pirates, Tigers, Rays, Reds
Contract prediction: Tigers, 4 years, $88 million, with an opt-out after the first season
9. Adrián Morejón, relief pitcher
9-3, 2.83 ERA, 86.0 IP, 11.2 K/9, 1.9 rWAR
Morejón was an All-Star in 2025, and followed that up with a whopping 107 strikeouts as a lefty reliever. Because he has a deep arsenal, some teams may be interested in seeing if he can start. If he’s a reliever, he’s easily the best one on the market, although he doesn’t have experience as a traditional closer. He is still rather young – he turns 28 in February.t
Potential suitors: Cubs, Dodgers, Mets, Padres, Yankees
Contract prediction: Yankees, 4 years, $64 million
10. Brandon Lowe, second baseman
.260/.331/.493, 656 PA, 35 HR, 5.4 rWAR
Lowe signed a long-term deal early in his career, so he’s hitting free agency at age 32. But he timed it right, coming off a career-best 5.4 rWAR season with 35 home runs. His defense was fantastic at second base at +15 Outs Above Average, although some are skeptical that is sustainable. He strikes out a ton, and isn’t very good against lefties, but that kind of pop from a middle infielder is hard to find.
Potential suitors: Angels, Blue Jays, Braves, Padres, Pirates, Reds, Tigers, Yankees
Contract prediction: Padres, 3 years, $60 million
11. David Bednar, relief pitcher
7-3, 2.47 ERA, 69.1 IP, 9.9 K/9, 1.9 rWAR
Bednar was optioned to the minors in early 2025, but he tweaked his repertoire with the Yankees, and he will likely cash in on a lucrative deal. He is the top “proven closer” available, leading the league in saves in 2023, and converting 35 last year. He’s already 32, but without a lot of big name relievers available, teams could overpay. The Yankees made him a Qualifying Offer, and they are interested in retaining him.
Potential suitors: Blue Jays, Cubs, Mets, Phillies, White Sox, Yankees
Contract prediction: Cubs, 3 years, $54 million.
12. Clay Holmes, starting pitcher
6-8, 3.29 ERA, 101.1 IP, 6.9 K/9, 2.0 rWAR
Holmes became a starting pitcher in 2025, and has been solid in that role for two years, posting a 3.44 ERA over that time. He missed some time this year with a broken leg, and he didn’t finish strong with the Cubs. He’ll turn 34 in February, but he’s a decent mid-rotation pitcher who can induce groundballs.
Potential suitors: Braves, Cubs, Giants, Mariners, Mets, Padres, Reds, Royals
Contract prediction: Mets, 3 years, $52 million
13. Kaima Taira, starting pitcher
12-5, 1.36 ERA, 146 IP, 8.7 K/9
Taira is a stocky, 5’8” right-hander nicknamed “Fire Hydrant”, who has spent time as a starter and reliever for the Seibu Lions. As a reliever, he throws in the high-90s with a fastball that can occasionally hit 100, with a mix of splitters and change ups. He will be 27 next season, so he is one of the youngest free agents available.
Potential suitors: Braves, Cubs, Giants, Mariners, Mets, White Sox, Yankees
Contract prediction: White Sox, 3 years, $50 million
14. Sonny Gray, starting pitcher
18-5, 2.72 ERA, 169.0 IP, 7.9 K/9, 4.3 rWAR
Gray is coming off a strong season where he led the league in wins, but his declining strikeout numbers at age 36 will give teams pause. He said he wants to win a title next year, but has also cited a desire to stay close to his family in Tennessee.
Potential suitors: Braves, Cubs, Rangers, Rays, Reds, Red Sox
Contract prediction: Braves, 2 years, $48 million
15. Jake Bauers, first baseman
.266/.389/.484, 578 PA, 26 HR, 3.3 rWAR
You likely heard multiple times during the postseason that Bauers was prepared to retire two years ago, only his wife got pregnant and needed health insurance, so he gave it one more shot. Good thing he did! Bauers finished with career highs in home runs (26), walks (94), on-base percentage (.389), slugging percentage (.484), and rWAR (3.3). He was a highly-touted prospect, so the talent was always there, the Brewers just unlocked it. He could accept the Qualifying Offer the Brewers made him, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see him get a three-year offer.
Potential suitors: Brewers, Diamondbacks, Guardians, Mets, Twins
Contract prediction: Mets, 3 years, $48 million
16. Foster Griffin, starting pitcher
15-6, 3.60 ERA, 172.2 IP, 8.2 K/9, 3.3 rWAR
The former Royals first-round pick went to Japan, and returned this year to win 15 games. He’s a “crafty lefty” with a fastball in the low-90s, but very good control and a deep arsenal. He doesn’t have a long track record of success as a big leaguer, but he showed enough that he should get a decent contract at age 31.
Potential suitors: Athletics, Cubs, Nationals, Padres, Rangers, Royals
Contract prediction: Royals, 3 years, $48 million
17. Luis Arraez, second baseman
.310/.345/.419, 655 PA, 6 HR, 2.9 rWAR
People pegged Arraez as a butcher at second base and he got just a one-year deal last offseason. He showed them with a remarkable turnaround defensively this year. Teams may be skeptical of his +12 Outs Above Average, but he does not appear to be the liability he once was, and his bat can play at second base more than it could at first. He doesn’t have much power, but he’s perhaps the best contact hitter in the game, and someone will pay for that. It seems like he’s been around forever, but he hasn’t turned 30 yet.
Potential suitors: Giants, Padres, Phillies, Pirates, Rangers, Tigers, Yankees
Contract prediction: Phillies, 3 years, $46 million
18. Ian Happ, outfielder
.218/.326/.412, 636 PA, 24 HR, 2.9 rWAR
Happ is a four-time Gold Glove winner in left who has hit 20+ home runs in each of the last four seasons. He strikes out a ton, but has drawn 80+ walks in each of the last four years. He’s a switch-hitter who struggles against lefties, but in a fairly thin outfielder market, he could make out well.
Potential suitors: Cubs, Mariners, Orioles, Phillies, Pirates, Reds, Royals
Contract prediction: Orioles, 3 years, $45 million
19. Nick Martinez, starting pitcher
15-6, 3.10 ERA, 180.0 IP, 5.5 K/9, 3.9 rWAR
Like Griffin, Martinez went to Japan for a few years, and returned to become an effective MLB starting pitcher. He had a career-best season this year with Tampa Bay, but he has a solid 3.56 ERA over the last three years pitching both as a starter and reliever. He had both the lowest strikeout rate and the lowest walk rate among all starters, so he’s a pitch-to-contact guy. The right-hander is already 36, so he’s probably looking at a two-year deal.
Potential suitors: Astros, Mets, Nationals, Orioles, Rays, Royals, White Sox
Contract prediction: Tigers, 2 years, $34 million
20. Gleyber Torres, second baseman
.260/.364/.363, 420 PA, 8 HR, 2.0 rWAR
Torres has had a rough time in the free agent market, despite being a pretty solid top-of-the-order hitter. He was one of the youngest free agents available after the 2024 season, but signed a one-year deal with the Tigers, then accepted their Qualifying Offer the next year. He has been a solid 2-3 WAR player the last two seasons with an on-base percentage over .350, although he doesn’t provide much power.
Potential suitors: Angels, Padres, Pirates, Royals, Tigers
Contract prediction: Pirates, 2 years, $32 million
21. Casey Mize, starting pitcher
6-10, 4.32 ERA, 131.1 IP, 7.5 K/9, 1.3 rWAR
Mize was having a great contract year until he was traded to the Padres and was awful down the stretch with a 7.46 ERA in ten starts. He would be looking at a “make-good” one-year deal or an opt out, but he has a good pedigree and is only 29 years old.
Potential suitors: Athletics, Braves, Diamondbacks, Mets, Nationals, Reds, Royals, Tigers
Contract prediction: Red Sox, 2 years, $30 million
22. Mike Soroka, starting pitcher
9-5, 3.41 ERA, 116.0 IP, 8.8 K/9, 2.2 rWAR
Soroka is under 30 and can definitely miss bats. The question is whether he can stay healthy. It’s possible a team moves him to the pen to get more out of him, but he showed enough in 21 starts for the Diamondbacks last year that a team will take a chance on him in their rotation.
Potential suitors: Astros, Cardinals, Diamondbacks, Rays, Royals, White Sox
Contract prediction: Rays, 2 years, $30 million
23. Kris Bubic, starting pitcher
Bubic is the left-handed version of Soroka – under 30, can miss bats, start or relieve, but could be in the pen to protect him from injury.
Potential suitors: Astros, Giants, Diamondbacks, Mets, Royals, White Sox
Contract prediction: Giants, 2 years, $30 million
24. Hiromi Itoh, starting pitcher
10-10, 3.18 ERA, 172.2 IP, 8.3 K/9
Itoh is a durable right-hander who doesn’t wow with velocity, but throws strikes and eats innings. He is a high-floor, low-ceiling pitcher who will likely be a back-end rotation option.
Potential suitors: Athletics, Cardinals, Cubs, Giants, Nationals, Padres, White Sox
Contract prediction: White Sox, 3 years, $30 million
25. Shota Imanaga, starting pitcher
11-10, 3.77 ERA, 174.1 IP, 9.0 K/9, 2.0 rWAR
Imanaga has settled in as a solid, mid-rotation starter with excellent control. The 33-year-old lefty is a big-time flyball pitcher that may benefit from getting away from Wrigley Field.
Potential suitors: Angels, Giants, Mets, Padres, Rays, White Sox
Contract prediction: Padres, 2 years, $28 million.
26. Dustin May, starting pitcher
7-9, 4.70 ERA, 145.2 IP, 8.9 K/9, 0.3 rWAR
May doesn’t wow anyone with his ERA, but his peripherals looked much better and he’s an analytics darling that many expect will improve in the right situation. He is a big injury risk as a two-time Tommy John surgery survivor. He could be a back-end starter, or maybe he has a second life as a reliever.
Potential suitors: Angels, Brewers, Mets, Padres, Rays, Royals, White Sox
Contract prediction: Brewers, 2 years, $24 million
27. Kevin Gausman, starting pitcher
9-12, 4.51 ERA, 177.2 IP, 9.3 K/9, 2.2 rWAR
Gausman had a disappointing season by his standards, posting his highest ERA since 2019. However, he still struck out 184 batters and logged 177.2 innings, demonstrating the durability that has made him one of baseball’s more dependable starters. He’ll turn 36 next season, so he probably won’t get a long-term commitment, but he should be an attractive option for teams looking for a veteran rotation anchor.
Potential suitors: Blue Jays, Cubs, Diamondbacks, Mets, Orioles, Royals
Contract prediction: Blue Jays, 2 years, $24 million
28. Ty France, first baseman
.295/.363/.502, 500 PA, 21 HR, 4.5 rWAR
The Royals-killer had a tremendous bounce-back season with the Padres, posting career-best power numbers and a 139 OPS+. He was one of the better contact hitters in baseball, and at 32, he should have several productive seasons left. He doesn’t offer much defensive versatility, but a first baseman who can hit for average and power will have a market.
Potential suitors: Guardians, Mariners, Padres, Pirates, Twins
Contract prediction: Guardians, 2 years, $24 million
29. Ryan Jeffers, catcher
.256/.353/.461, 369 PA, 14 HR, 2.8 rWAR
Jeffers is the best of a thin free agent catcher crop that includes Carson Kelly and Tyler Stephenson. The Twins surprisingly made Jeffers a Qualifying Offer, and he’d be wise to accept it.
Potential suitors: Mets, Orioles, Phillies, Twins
Contract prediction: Twins, accepts 1 year, $23.15 million Qualifying Offer
30. Raisel Iglesias, relief pitcher
1-2, 2.55 ERA, 60.0 IP, 9.6 K/9, 34 SV, 1.4 rWAR
Iglesias remains one of the most dependable closers in baseball, recording at least 29 saves in each of the last four seasons with a career 2.87 ERA. He’ll turn 37 in January, so he probably won’t get a long-term deal, but he should be able to command a lucrative one-year contract.
Potential suitors: Braves, Cubs, Dodgers, Mets, Phillies, Red Sox, Yankees
Contract prediction: Braves, 1 year, $18 million
Other notable free agents: Jason Adam, José Alvarado, Miguel Andujar, Josh Bell, Chris Bassitt, Shane Bieber, Alec Bohm, Matthew Boyd, J.P. Crawford, Mauricio Dubón, Zach Eflin, Zac Gallen, Adolis Garcia, Lucas Giolito, Jonathan India, Kenley Jansen, Carson Kelly, Ha-Seong Kim, Ramón Laureano, Nathaniel Lowe, Tyler Mahle, Jeff McNeill, Cedric Mullins, Emilio Pagán, Joc Pederson, David Peterson, Nick Pivetta, Robbie Ray, Luis Robert Jr., Brady Singer, Edmundo Sosa, George Springer, Eugenio Suárez, Tyrone Taylor, Lane Thomas, Daulton Varsho, Alex Vesia, Taylor Ward, Garrett Whitlock, Brandon Woodruff
