The Mets signed Juan Soto to a record-breaking $765 million deal, the Yankees landed Max Fried with a $218 million deal, and the Diamondbacks as soon as once more shocked the baseball world, including ace Corbin Burnes on a $210 million pact.
Nevertheless, there are nonetheless a number of groups — together with the Royals, Twins, Padres, Mariners and Cardinals — that haven’t spent a single penny in free company, though that might change quickly. The free-agent market continues to be stuffed with expertise. So the place will these gamers signal?
Listed below are the highest 15 remaining free brokers and my predictions on the place every will land.
(WAR is in response to Baseball Reference. All statistics are from the 2024 season except in any other case famous.)
1. Roki Sasaki, RHP
Age: 23
WAR: N/A
ERA: 2.35 IP: 111 SO: 129 (NPB stats)
Agent: Wasserman
Seven groups have reportedly met with Sasaki and his agent, Joel Wolfe of Wasserman, in Los Angeles, together with the Dodgers, Padres, Cubs, Yankees, Mets, Rangers and Giants. Different groups nonetheless may very well be added to the listing, however most likely Sasaki might be going to signal with a kind of seven.
Of that group, most within the business consider he’ll find yourself signing with the Dodgers. Nevertheless, I’m not in that camp as a result of I feel endorsement offers with Japanese corporations are going to be vital for him financially since he received’t be eligible for arbitration for 3 years or eligible free of charge company for at the very least six years. In Los Angeles, he’d be within the shadow of each Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, lessening his endorsement ceiling. And there are different causes I don’t consider he’s destined for the Dodgers.
(Sasaki can solely be signed by way of every group’s worldwide bonus swimming pools, which vary from roughly $5.1 million to $7.5 million.)
I don’t suppose the Giants make a variety of sense for him primarily based on their weak farm system and mediocre major-league roster. I view the Rangers as an extended shot, although they’d be a very good match due to their robust pitching room and management group. The Cubs additionally look like a stretch to me. That leaves each New York groups and the Padres.
Wolfe just lately supplied an replace on the 23-year-old star’s uncommon free company, however none of us understand how this ends or what precisely Sasaki is pondering. His favourite participant rising up was Masahiro Tanaka, which might lead me to guess he was at the very least considerably of a Yankees fan. He considers Yu Darvish a godfather-type affect, and the Padres veteran mentored Sasaki throughout Japan’s championship run within the 2023 World Baseball Basic. Due to this fact, for no different purpose, I’ll predict he indicators with both the Yankees or San Diego.
Prediction: Yankees or Padres
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Houston pivoted away from Alex Bregman. The place will he find yourself? (Alex Slitz / Getty Photos)
2. Alex Bregman, 3B
Age: 30
WAR: 4.1
OPS+: 118
Agent: Boras Company
I used to be shocked Bregman reportedly turned down six years and $156 million to remain in Houston, as a result of I assumed he and his household had been completely happy there and I didn’t suppose he’d essentially take essentially the most cash and years in free company. Nevertheless, when he spurned the Astros’ supply, they pivoted, buying and selling for third baseman Isaac Paredes and signing first baseman Christian Walker, which closed the door on a doable return to Houston.
I feel Bregman would match properly at third base with the Mets, who may transfer Mark Vientos to first base. However there doesn’t appear to be a lot traction there. The Mariners may actually use him at third base, however they don’t appear to wish to spend any cash. I additionally suppose the Phillies — and their ballpark — may work effectively for him, however they’d should commerce Alec Bohm first, and by all indications they by no means got here shut to creating a swap.
That leaves the Tigers and Blue Jays because the almost certainly touchdown spots for Bregman, however neither one appears excellent. So he would possibly wish to signal a shorter cope with the next common annual worth and opt-outs, then look to return on the free-agent market subsequent offseason or after the 2026 season.
That mentioned, Boston is my favourite spot for Bregman, who will flip 31 in March. They want a right-handed energy pull hitter, and he would do important injury to the Inexperienced Monster in left area. They might transfer Rafael Devers to first base and put Triston Casas at DH or they might simply put Bregman at second base full-time. His management and skill to grind at-bats would assist this younger roster. He may very well be the ultimate piece in getting the Crimson Sox again to the postseason.
Prediction: Crimson Sox
3. Anthony Santander, RF
Age: 30
WAR: 2.9
OPS+: 134
Agent: GSE Worldwide
The Santander market has been unusually quiet, however all indications are he’ll find yourself on a non-contending group and get his long-term contract. There’s a variety of buzz within the business in regards to the Blue Jays being all-in on him, and so they positively want his 44-home run energy in between Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette of their lineup. The Angels and Giants have additionally been mentioned to have some stage of curiosity.
Prediction: Blue Jays
4. Pete Alonso, 1B
Age: 30
WAR: 2.6
OPS+: 123
Agent: Boras Company
The staredown between the Mets’ brass and Scott Boras over an Alonso contract is beginning to grow to be epic. Who blinks first — proprietor Steve Cohen and president of baseball operations David Stearns or the celebrity agent? The Mets don’t wish to transfer past their final supply and don’t suppose they should as a result of the first-base market has dried up. There will not be a variety of choices left for Alonso after the Yankees traded for Paul Goldschmidt, the Guardians signed Carlos Santana, the Diamondbacks traded for Josh Naylor and the Astros inked Christian Walker.
The Mariners can be an awesome match, however they’re not in on any of the massive free brokers. The Angels have been talked about as a risk, however does anybody suppose they’d do one other huge — and probably unhealthy — contract for a 30-year-old energy hitter after the Anthony Rendon, Josh Hamilton and Albert Pujols contracts all failed?
The Giants is likely to be the one different viable choice. Signing Alonso to a three-year cope with a excessive AAV and opt-outs would possibly make some sense for them if they will abdomen dropping the draft decide compensation. (Alonso was one among 12 gamers to show down the qualifying supply.) Possibly Alonso would go that kind of route and show some extent to the Mets within the course of.
Nevertheless, on the finish of the day, I simply can’t see the Polar Bear in one other uniform — at the very least not this yr.
Prediction: Mets
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5. Jack Flaherty, RHP
Age: 29
WAR: 3.1
ERA: 3.17 IP: 162 SO: 194
Agent: CAA Sports activities
He’s the very best beginning pitcher left available on the market, other than Sasaki, and a possible difference-maker for a contending group. However Flaherty’s medical studies are going to find out whether or not he will get a long-term contract or has to take the same deal to that of Walker Buehler, who signed a one-year, $21 million contract with the Crimson Sox.
I haven’t heard about Flaherty being linked a lot with the Braves, however I feel that may be a super match for him. They misplaced Max Fried and Charlie Morton in free company. Spencer Strider, who’s recovering from internal-brace elbow surgical procedure, received’t be prepared for Opening Day. They’ve a variety of robust younger arms for the again of their rotation however may actually use one other veteran.
I’ve heard a reunion with the Tigers just isn’t out of the query. Flaherty pitched effectively for them final season, posting a 2.95 ERA over 18 begins earlier than the commerce deadline deal to the Dodgers. Different groups which have been linked to him embody the Cubs, Giants and Blue Jays.
Prediction: Braves
6. Tanner Scott, LHP
Age: 30
WAR: 4.0
ERA: 1.75 SV: 22 IP: 72 SO: 84
Agent: MVP Sports activities Group
Probably the most-impactful nearer available on the market has but to signal and groups are lining up for him however ready for the asking value to drop. The Crimson Sox are the clear front-runners for Scott. Their chief baseball officer, Craig Breslow, was a left-handed reliever in his enjoying days and appears obsessive about corralling lefty pitchers: He’s already signed three of them in free company (Patrick Sandoval, Aroldis Chapman, Justin Wilson) and bought two extra by way of trades (Garrett Crochet, Jovani Moran). Crimson Sox supervisor Alex Cora prefers a single nearer and Scott is the very best one obtainable.
The Blue Jays and Giants are additionally robust candidates to signal Scott as each may use an improve on the nearer place. Different doable locations embody the Dodgers, Rangers and Diamondbacks.
Prediction: Crimson Sox
Jurickson Profar had a profession yr for the Padres, however is a reunion within the playing cards? (David Frerker / Imagn Photos)
7. Jurickson Profar, LF
Age: 31
WAR: 3.6
OPS+: 134
Agent: MVP Sports activities Group
Profar was among the best under-the-radar signings final offseason, when San Diego inked him for a base wage of $1 million. He rewarded them by slashing .280/.380/.459 with 24 residence runs, 29 doubles and 10 stolen bases and made his first All-Star group. He’d prefer to return to San Diego however needs a three-year deal and I’m undecided if that may match within the Padres’ tight price range.
I feel the Braves can be an awesome match for Profar, however for some purpose they appear glad with the mix of Jarred Kelenic and Bryan De La Cruz competing for time in left area. The Crimson Sox have been talked about as a risk too. However, to me, the Padres are by far the very best match for each the participant and group, although he’ll probably should drop his expectations and comply with a deal that works for each side if he needs to stay in San Diego.
Prediction: Padres
8. Kirby Yates, RHP
Age: 37
WAR: 3.3
ERA: 1.17 SV: 33 IP: 61 2/3 SO: 85
Agent: Beverly Hills Sports activities Council
Yates may need to attend till Scott indicators, then get with one of many groups that misses out on him. A return to the Rangers is feasible, a transfer north of the border to Toronto is sensible, and the Dodgers are all the time in search of high-leverage relievers. The Braves actually missed him final yr, the Reds may use him to exchange Fernando Cruz, whom they traded to the Yankees, and the Royals may shock right here too.
Nevertheless, I like Arizona for Yates. After the splash signing of Burnes and buying and selling for All-Star first baseman Josh Naylor, why not ink Yates to bookend their offseason?
Prediction: Diamondbacks
9. Ha-Seong Kim, SS
Age: 29
WAR: 2.6
OPS+: 96
Agent: Boras Company
After season-ending shoulder surgical procedure, Kim has found his free-agent worth isn’t what he had hoped. He’ll have to signal a short-term deal, present that he’s wholesome subsequent yr and attempt to replicate his 5.8 WAR season from 2023.
The Giants had curiosity in Kim till they had been in a position to land Willy Adames in free company. Now, I feel he’d match nice with the Crimson Sox, who may then preserve Trevor Story at second base, permitting Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell one other yr of improvement at Triple A.
Nevertheless, the very best group for Kim, surely, continues to be the Padres. Additionally they are a a lot better group with him at shortstop and Xander Bogaerts at second base than in the event that they should play Bogaerts at shortstop.
Prediction: Padres
10. Carlos Estévez, RHP
Age: 32
WAR: 2.1
ERA: 2.45 SV: 26 IP: 55 SO: 50
Agent: Premier Expertise Sports activities and Leisure
Like Yates, Estévez most likely has to attend till Scott indicators earlier than he can discover his subsequent group. I feel the Cubs, who have to construct up their bullpen, are the very best match for him. They might use the strike-throwing energy righty in high-leverage spots late in video games. Groups such because the Blue Jays, Rangers, Crimson Sox and Giants additionally make sense for Estévez, who logged 26 saves between the Phillies and Angels final yr.
Prediction: Cubs
11. Jose Quintana, LHP
Age: 35
WAR: 2.5
ERA: 3.75 IP: 170 1/3 SO: 135
Agent: Wasserman
Quintana nonetheless is aware of methods to win and preserve hitters off-balance. He gave the Mets 170 1/3 innings final season, going 10-10 with a 3.75 ERA over 31 begins. His outcomes have all the time been higher than his uncooked stuff because of his command out and in of the zone.
He’d be a stable signing for the Royals as a rotation substitute for Brady Singer, whom they traded to the Reds in November. Though the Royals declare they’re high-quality shifting Kris Bubic to the rotation to exchange Singer, they don’t have a lot beginning pitching depth and so they’ll miss the 179 2/3 innings Singer supplied final yr. Quintana, who turns 36 in January, is the proper match. The Giants, Tigers and Padres have additionally been linked with him.
Prediction: Royals
Jeff Hoffman made the All-Star group in 2024. Will he be a starter or reliever this yr? (Tim Heitman / Imagn Photos)
12. Jeff Hoffman, RHP
Age: 31
WAR: 2.0
ERA: 2.17 SV: 10 IP: 66 1/3 SO: 89
Agent: CAA Sports activities
Hoffman needs to observe within the footsteps of Clay Holmes, who’s trying to transition from the bullpen to the rotation. Holmes signed a three-year, $38 million cope with the Mets and that’s what Hoffman thinks he deserves. Nevertheless, he hasn’t been provided that but.
I’m advised a number of groups like the thought of signing him and making him a starter, whereas different groups would like to maintain Hoffman, who has 50 profession begins, within the pen in the event that they purchase him. Hoffman, who turns 32 this week, is coming off two stellar seasons for the Phillies. He posted a 2.41 ERA over 54 appearances in 2023 and backed that up with a 2.17 ERA over 68 appearances final yr. A return to Philly would most likely be finest for Hoffman, however he wouldn’t get an opportunity to start out with them. The Braves, Crimson Sox, Rays, Royals, Tigers, Astros and Nationals would all be stable touchdown spots.
Prediction: Nationals
13. Nick Pivetta, RHP
Age: 31
WAR: 1.8
ERA: 4.14 IP: 145 2/3 SO: 172
Agent: CAA Sports activities
I used to be shocked when Pivetta turned down the $21.05 million qualifying supply from the Crimson Sox, for 2 causes: 1) I don’t suppose he’ll get near that on the open market, and a pair of) tying himself to draft decide compensation weakens his worth much more.
Due to that, he’s one of many gamers who may need to attend some time earlier than discovering his subsequent residence. The New York Publish reported in December that the Reds had checked in on him, however after they signed Nick Martinez to the qualifying supply and traded for Singer, I can’t think about them truly enjoying on Pivetta. One group that might make sense to salvage his offseason is the Blue Jays, who’ve struggled to search out gamers prepared to take their free-agent provides. Pivetta, who has a profession 4.76 ERA over eight seasons, will flip 32 in February.
Prediction: Blue Jays
14. Alex Verdugo, LF
Age: 28
WAR: 0.8
OPS+: 83
Agent: MVP Sports activities Group
Verdugo was the beginning left fielder for the American League champion Yankees however had a subpar yr, batting simply .233/.291/.356 with 13 residence runs. He’s a very good defender in left area, grinds day in and time out, and is revered within the clubhouse due to the sting with which he performs. If the Padres aren’t in a position to deliver again Profar, they might pivot to Verdugo. In any other case, he may need to simply accept a task as a fourth outfielder someplace. The Giants, Pirates and Diamondbacks may make a depth play for him.
Prediction: Padres (in the event that they don’t re-sign Profar)
15. Justin Turner, 1B/DH
Age: 40
WAR: 1.5
OPS+: 114
Agent: Vayner Sports activities
Turner turned 40 in November and needs to maintain enjoying — and primarily based on final yr’s efficiency, he nonetheless has one thing left within the tank. He slashed .259/.354/.383 (114 OPS+) with 11 residence runs. His management qualities are significantly worthwhile on a comparatively younger group. The Mariners, Guardians, Pirates and Diamondbacks are all logical suits for Turner to enhance their benches. A return to Seattle would possibly take advantage of sense primarily based on the constructive affect he had on the clubhouse after being traded by the Blue Jays on the deadline.
Prediction: Mariners
(Prime photograph of Roki Sasaki: The Yomiuri Shimbun by way of Related Press)