With the winter meeting coming up soon, it’s time to take a deep look at this year’s free agents class. Many of the top names are likely to agree to deals by the end of December.
This year’s free agency class looks loaded. Along with that more teams than usual are willing to spend money to make themselves better.
MLB free agent one- Juan Soto-RF
Prediction- re-signs with the New York Yankees
Juan Soto is widely considered the best free agent in this year’s free agents class. Soto is coming off his best season, which earned him his fourth all star game appearance. Soto has already been on three teams in his young career, so as long as the Yankees give him a competitive offer he’ll likely stay put. The Yankees proved they can make it to the world series, so being forced to part with a big reason for their first world series appearance since 2009, would be a huge blow for the Yankees.
MLB free agent two- Corbin Burnes-SP
Prediction- signs with the New York Mets
Corbin Burnes is the best pitcher on the market. The Mets are losing two key pitchers this offseason in Sean Manaea and Luis Severino. Even if they extend one they will still have a hole in the rotation. There is no better way to fix that weakness for the Mets than to get an arm like Burnes. Burnes won the 2021 National League Cy Young Award and is a four time All Star.
Even if the Mets miss out on Soto it’s clear they’ll spend money on someone. Meanwhile Burnes will get to play for a big market in a pitcher friendly stadium.
MLB free agent three- Alex Bregman- 3B
Prediction- signs with the Toronto Blue Jays
Alex Bregman offers any team that signs him championship experience and strong two way play. The Blue Jays are a team desperately looking to break out of mediocracy. Bregman could be a way to install some winning DNA on the team, while fixing a key issue in the infield. The Blue Jays have a hole at third base after trading Isiah Kiner Filefa to the Pirates. The Blue Jays had a disappointing season all around and are desperately looking to bounce back.
Photo via Essentially Sports
MLB free agent four- Willy Adames- SS
Prediction- signs with the San Francisco Giants
Willy Adames has been one of the most consistent shortstops over the past few seasons. In 2024 Adames set career highs in home runs and RBIs, leading to him finishing tenth in MVP voting. The Giants have been looking for reliable bats over the past few seasons, so it seems Adames and the Giants are a perfect fit. San Francisco are currently playing utility man Tyler Fitzgerald at shortstop, but he can move to second base or the outfield to make room for a talented shortstop like Adames.
MLB free agent five- Max Fried- SP
Prediction- signs with the Chicago Cubs
Similar to Burnes, Max Fried has been very consistent in his career. Since making his big league debut in 2017, Fried has only had an era above four once, and even that was just 4.02. The Cubs are looking for one more starting pitcher to complete their rotation. The Cubs are a team that habitually fail to meet their expectations, however, Fried comes from a team that has been consistent winners over the past few seasons. Fried could help install the winning mentality, similar to what the Blue Jays would hope Bregman does.
MLB free agent six- Pete Alonso- 1B
Prediction- signs with the Washington Nationals
Pete Alonso has been one of the biggest power hitters in the league since he set the MLB rookie home run record in 2019. However, his lack of production in other areas has been frustrating to the Mets front office. They likely won’t invest in him long term, but at least he got to go out with one of the biggest hits in Mets history, a three run home run in the wild card series that eventually allowed them to advance to the National League Division Series. The Nationals are a team with very few power sources. Their 2024 home run lead was C.J Abrams with 20. Alonso can give the Nationals the power they desperately need.
MLB free agent seven- Jack Flaherty- SP
Prediction- re-signs with the Los Angeles Dodgers
Despite signing Blake Snell, the Dodgers are still in the market for starting pitching. This is because Shohei Ohtani only likes to pitch once a week. Bringing back Jack Flaherty from their world series team is a move that would make sense for all involved. The Dodgers “only” have 187 million dollars committed for 2025. This means they can still give Flaherty his market value with no deferment and still be comfortably under the 241 million dollar luxury tax.
MLB free agent eight- Anthony Santander- RF
Prediction- signs with the Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays have two good defenders in the outfield in Daulton Varsho and George Springer. However, the Blue Jays need consistent offensive production. This is where Anthony Santander, an elite power hitter, can come in. With their star Vladimir Gurrerro Jr. a free agent after the 2025 season, the Blue Jays are likely to be aggressive in free agency, which is why I have them splurging for two of the most notable names on the market.
MLB free agent nine- Sean Manaea- SP
Prediction- signs with the Detroit Tigers
The Tigers surprised a lot of people by making the playoffs this season, for the first time since 2014. Despite being one of the best teams in baseball their starting pitching clearly lacked depth. They relied heavily on openers instead of reliable starters. Sean Manaea is a realistic option for the Tigers to bolster their rotation.
Photo via Orange County Register
MLB free agent ten- Teoscar Hernandez- LF
Prediction- signs with the Cincinnati Reds
After a down year, Teoscar Hernandez signed a one year, “prove it” deal with the Dodgers. He ended up winning the home run derby, made the all star team, and helped the Dodgers win a world series. Despite all his help the Dodgers, as much cash as they have, are unlikely to be able to pay Hernandez what he’s earned after his great season. Meanwhile the Reds are coming off a disappointing season, particularly on the offensive end, in a relatively open National League Central division.
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