{"id":147976,"date":"2025-08-15T14:05:12","date_gmt":"2025-08-15T14:05:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/147976\/"},"modified":"2025-08-15T14:05:12","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T14:05:12","slug":"top-25-potential-mlb-free-agents-for-2025-26-as-the-offseason-draws-nearer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/147976\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 25 potential MLB free agents for 2025-26 as the offseason draws nearer"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the trade deadline behind them, MLB front offices have begun to focus more on the upcoming free-agent class. Executives, scouts and analysts throughout the sport will spend the next few months finalizing their valuations and target lists and ranking the potential free agents in the 2025-26 class.<\/p>\n

This winter\u2019s class is expected to be headlined by three former or current Houston Astros: Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman and Framber Valdez. It should also feature three of the game\u2019s most prolific power hitters \u2014 Kyle Schwarber, Pete Alonso and Eugenio Su\u00e1rez \u2014 and a trio of impact closers (Edwin D\u00edaz, Aroldis Chapman and Robert Suarez).<\/p>\n

This list will change between now and the start of free agency in November. Performance and health the rest of the way will be key. Some of these players could decide not to opt out of their contracts. (For this ranking, I did not include any players with club options.) In addition, more international players will join the eventual class.<\/p>\n

With about six weeks to go in the regular season, here is my ranking for the top 25 potential free agents.<\/p>\n

Note: WAR, 2025 OPS+ and 2025 ERA+ are according to Baseball Reference as of Aug. 15. Player ages are as of Aug. 15.\u00a0<\/p>\n

1. Kyle Tucker, RF, Cubs<\/p>\n

Age:<\/strong> 28
Bats:<\/strong> L Throws:<\/strong> R
OPS+:<\/strong> 142
WAR:<\/strong> 4.3<\/p>\n

Tucker is expected to be the highest paid free agent in this class. Most analysts believe he will get somewhere between $500 million and $650 million based on the recent contracts of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with the Blue Jays ($500 million) and Juan Soto with the Mets ($765 million). Tucker can impact a game in so many ways with his five tools: hitting, power, defense, arm strength and speed. He has made four straight All-Star teams and is putting together another strong season, batting .265\/.377\/.457 with 18 homers and 24 steals in 26 attempts. The Cubs would love to retain him, but the open market will determine where he\u2019ll land and he\u2019ll be the biggest prize in free agency.<\/p>\n

2. Framber Valdez, LHP, Astros<\/p>\n

Age:<\/strong> 31
IP:<\/strong> 145 2\/3 SO:<\/strong> 145
ERA+:<\/strong> 139
WAR:<\/strong> 4.3<\/p>\n

Valdez is a big-game pitcher with a proven track record of performing in postseason games. He\u2019s an elite ground-ball pitcher who pitches deep into games. He\u2019s topped 175 innings and finished top 10 in the NL Cy Young Award voting in each of the past three seasons. Of all the starting pitchers expected to be in this year\u2019s free-agent class, he\u2019s having the best season (11-5 with a 2.97 ERA).<\/p>\n

3. Alex Bregman, 3B, Red Sox (opt out)<\/p>\n

Age:<\/strong> 31
Bats:<\/strong> R Throws:<\/strong> R
OPS+:<\/strong> 153
WAR:<\/strong> 3.7<\/p>\n

Bregman, who is making $40 million this year and signed for two more years at that rate, will likely opt out of his contract and seek a longer-team deal. He missed time this season with a quad injury but has hit .299\/.379\/.542 in 327 plate appearances. It appears Boston would be his first choice in free agency, but he is an obvious fit with several other contending teams including the Phillies, Yankees, Tigers, Dodgers, Mariners and even the Mets.<\/p>\n

4. Kyle Schwarber, DH, Phillies<\/p>\n

Age:<\/strong> 32
Bats:<\/strong> L Throws:<\/strong> R
OPS+:<\/strong> 155
WAR:<\/strong> 3.9<\/p>\n

Schwarber is putting together what could be his best year at the ideal time. It looks like he will set career highs in home runs and RBIs. He has hit 40 homers or more in three of the past four years and currently ranks second in the National League in homers (42) and second in RBIs (98). He\u2019s crushed both righties (.563 slug) and lefties (.600) this year. He\u2019s the king of teammates \u2014 with leadership, baseball IQ and intangibles that are off the charts. Every team except the Dodgers and Yankees should want him to be their DH. The Phillies will make every effort to re-sign him, but it will be fascinating to see what the open market brings for this special power bat and teammate.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Will Pete Alonso be back with the Mets? (Dustin Satloff \/ Getty Images)5. Pete Alonso, 1B, Mets (opt out)<\/p>\n

Age:<\/strong> 30
Bats:<\/strong> R Throws:<\/strong> R
OPS+:<\/strong> 150
WAR:<\/strong> 3.0<\/p>\n

Alonso, the Mets\u2019 new all-time home run leader, is beloved in Queens, and the feeling is mutual. But there\u2019s no doubt he will opt out of his contract with the Mets \u2014 he signed a two-year, $54 million deal last winter \u2014 with the hope that this offseason they reward him with a longer-term contract. If they don\u2019t, I believe this time around he won\u2019t be as open to signing another short-term contract and will instead go to a team that\u2019s willing to offer him a long-term commitment. He currently leads the NL in RBIs (99), ranks fifth in homers (28) and is seventh in OPS (.884).<\/p>\n

6. Bo Bichette, SS, Blue Jays<\/p>\n

Age:<\/strong> 27
Bats:<\/strong> R Throws:<\/strong> R
OPS+:<\/strong> 119
WAR:<\/strong> 2.4<\/p>\n

Bichette has had a solid bounce-back year, regaining his value after a brutal 2024 season. He leads the league in hits once again and has 35 doubles and 16 homers. He will enter free agency with the ability to play either shortstop or third base going forward. Bichette, who will turn 28 next March, should be able to land a seven- or even eight-year contract this winter.<\/p>\n

7. Ranger Su\u00e1rez, LHP, Phillies<\/p>\n

Age:<\/strong> 29
IP:<\/strong> 1112 1\/3 SO:<\/strong> 101
ERA+:<\/strong> 136
WAR:<\/strong> 3.2<\/p>\n

Su\u00e1rez has had a strong season overall but has struggled in four of his last five starts, logging a 6.59 ERA in that span, and will need to finish the season well to maximize his next deal. He continues to dominate hitters with this changeup (.182 batting average against) and his curveball has been effective (.197 BAA). He has struggled with the command and late life of his four seamer; hitters are batting .320 against it. Su\u00e1rez has never topped 155 innings in a season, so durability question marks exist. However, he also comes with sparkling career postseason stats, posting a 1.43 ERA over eight starts and two relief appearances.<\/p>\n

8. Dylan Cease, RHP, Padres<\/p>\n

Age:<\/strong> 29
IP:<\/strong> 129 1\/3 SO:<\/strong> 169
ERA+: <\/strong>94
WAR:<\/strong> 1.1<\/p>\n

Cease has had a subpar season compared to his best years. Last year, he went 14-7 with a 3.47 ERA and 3.10 FIP. This year, he is 5-10 with a 4.52 ERA, but he has a 3.43 FIP and has averaged a league-leading 11.8 strikeouts per nine innings, his best rate since 2022, when he led American League pitchers with 6.4 WAR and finished second in the Cy Young Award voting.<\/p>\n

9. Michael King, RHP, Padres (mutual option)<\/p>\n

Age:<\/strong> 29
IP:<\/strong> 57 2\/3 SO:<\/strong> 65
ERA+:<\/strong> 1.52
WAR:<\/strong> 1.4<\/p>\n

After going 13-9 with a 2.95 ERA last year, King entered this season as the top starting pitcher in the potential 2025-26 free-agent class. However, he was placed on the injured list in late May with a pinched thoracic nerve and didn\u2019t return to the active roster until last week. Now, he\u2019s back on the IL again, this time for left knee inflammation. His health and how he pitches the rest of the way\u00a0will help determine his free-agent value. If King can finish the year pitching like he did in 2025, he could catapult to near the top of these rankings going into November. He has a $15 mutual option for 2026 that\u2019s expected to be bought out for $3.75 million.<\/p>\n

10. Cody Bellinger, CF, Yankees (opt out)<\/p>\n

Age:<\/strong> 30
Bats:<\/strong> L Throws:<\/strong> L
OPS+:<\/strong> 123
WAR:<\/strong> 3.5<\/p>\n

Bellinger has been a perfect fit playing half his games at Yankee Stadium, with the short porch in right helping him hit 22 home runs. He also has an .816 OPS and 10 stolen bases. His above-average defense at all three outfield positions and first base helps his value. He is expected to opt out of his 2026 option so he can land a more lucrative, longer-term deal.<\/p>\n

11. Eugenio Su\u00e1rez, 3B, Mariners<\/p>\n

Age:<\/strong> 34
Bats:<\/strong> R Throws:<\/strong> R
OPS+:<\/strong> 127
WAR:<\/strong> 2.6<\/p>\n

Su\u00e1rez leads all third basemen with 37 home runs and 92 RBIs. He has struggled since being traded from the Diamondbacks to the Mariners at the deadline, hitting just .125 in 52 plate appearances. This is the fourth season in the past five years he\u2019s hit 30 or more home runs.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Aroldis Chapman has put together one of the best seasons of his standout career. (Emilee Chinn \/ Getty Images)12. Aroldis Chapman, LHP, Red Sox<\/p>\n

Age:<\/strong> 37
IP:<\/strong> 45 2\/3 SO:<\/strong> 65 SV:<\/strong> 21
ERA+:<\/strong> 346
WAR:<\/strong> 2.4<\/p>\n

Chapman has dominated this season, averaging 12.8 strikeouts per nine innings and just 2.6 walks per nine. The latter would be a career-best mark. At 37, the eight-time All-Star has also posted the best ERA (1.18) and WHIP (0.75) of his 16-year career.<\/p>\n

13. Edwin D\u00edaz, RHP, Mets (opt out)<\/p>\n

Age:<\/strong> 31
IP:<\/strong> 46 SO:<\/strong> 68 SV:<\/strong> 23
ERA+:<\/strong> 255
WAR:<\/strong> 1.9<\/p>\n

D\u00edaz is back to his dominant self this season. Since April 23, he has given up just two earned runs over 36 appearances. Overall, he has a 1.57 ERA and 0.91 WHIP. D\u00edaz holds $18.5 million player options for 2026 and 2027, and the Mets have a $20.4 million club option for 2028, but the three-time All-Star will likely opt out in November. When they play \u201cNarco\u201d by Timmy Trumpet and D\u00edaz heads to the mound at Citi Field, the crowd goes crazy and excitement doesn\u2019t stop until he retires the side, which he usually does. But he won\u2019t need the music when he reaches free agency to again get paid as one of the top closers in the game.<\/p>\n

14. Robert Suarez, RHP, Padres (opt out)<\/p>\n

Age:<\/strong> 34
IP:<\/strong> 51 1\/3 SO:<\/strong> 53 SV:<\/strong> 33
ERA+:<\/strong> 136
WAR:<\/strong> 1.6<\/p>\n

Suarez is the closer for arguably the best bullpen in baseball<\/a> right now. His fastball run value and velocity rank in the 97th percentile. Batters are hitting just .190 against his four-seamer and .086 against his sinker. Talk about domination.<\/p>\n

15. Josh Naylor, 1B, Mariners<\/p>\n

Age:<\/strong> 28
Bats:<\/strong> L Throws:<\/strong> L
OPS+:<\/strong> 126
WAR:<\/strong> 1.7<\/p>\n

After being traded from the Guardians to the Diamondbacks in the offseason, Naylor was dealt again, to Seattle, at the deadline. He is hitting .292 on the season with 15 home runs, 69 RBIs and 22 stolen bases in 24 attempts. Naylor could be a key factor in the Mariners\u2019 push to win the AL West, which could lead to him returning to the ALCS after he reached last season with Cleveland. He had 31 homers and 108 RBIs in 2024.<\/p>\n

16. Munetaka Murakami, 1B\/3B\/OF, Tokyo Yakult Swallows (NPB)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Age:<\/strong> 25
Bats:<\/strong>\u00a0L\u00a0Throws:<\/strong>\u00a0R<\/p>\n

Murakami underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow in December and also suffered an oblique injury this year, which has impacted his ability to play. Despite those setbacks, he is expected to be posted after the season, although his injury history could affect how teams evaluate his worth. He profiles as a .240-to-.260-type hitter in MLB, but with legitimate 30-home run power. He has hit .311\/.392\/.611 this year in Japan, with seven homers in 109 plate appearances. Defensively, he\u2019s below average at third base and adequate at first base. He\u2019s also played left field for Yakult this season for the first time in his career.<\/p>\n

17. Zac Gallen, RHP, Diamondbacks<\/p>\n

Age:<\/strong> 30
IP:<\/strong> 144 SO:<\/strong> 131
ERA+:<\/strong> 82
WAR:<\/strong> 0.3<\/p>\n

Gallen has not pitched to his track record this season, struggling mightily as he\u2019s logged a 5.31 ERA and a career-low 8.2 strikeouts per nine innings along with 3.3 walks per nine. In 2023, Gallen was third in the NL Cy Young Award voting, his third top-10 finish in a four-year stretch. In 2024, he went 14-6 with a 3.65 ERA. He\u2019ll probably need to go through rigorous medical tests before he\u2019s offered a long-term contract, so teams can ensure his shoulder and elbow are healthy. He might even need to sign a \u201cpillow\u201d contract for next year to regain his value. It couldn\u2019t have been a worse walk year for him.<\/p>\n

18. Luke Weaver, RHP, Yankees<\/p>\n

Age:<\/strong> 31
IP:<\/strong> 47 SO:<\/strong> 49 SV:<\/strong> 8
ERA+:<\/strong> 153
WAR:<\/strong> 1.2<\/p>\n

Weaver will be one of the best high-leverage set-up relievers on the free-agent market. He has a 2.68 ERA and 0.80 WHIP in 45 appearances. Batters are hitting .151 against his four-seamer and .140 against his changeup. He ranks in the 95th percentile in xERA and the 99th percentile in xBA.<\/p>\n

19. Merrill Kelly, RHP, Rangers<\/p>\n

Age:<\/strong> 36
IP:<\/strong> 144 2\/3 SO:<\/strong> 136
ERA+:<\/strong> 128
WAR:<\/strong> 3.2<\/p>\n

Kelly has been a consistent starter over the past seven years as he\u2019s logged a 3.75 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 165 games. He\u2019s having another solid season along those lines (3.36 ERA, 1.09 WHIP) and was a smart pickup by the Rangers at the trade deadline. Before being dealt, Kelly had spent his entire major-league career with Arizona, where he grew up, so don\u2019t be surprised if he re-signs with the Diamondbacks in the offseason.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

J.T. Realmuto makes an acrobatic tag on the Yankees\u2019 Cody Bellinger. The catcher will be 36 at the start of next season. (Ishika Samant \/ Getty Images)20. J.T. Realmuto, C, Phillies<\/p>\n

Age:<\/strong> 34
Bats:<\/strong> R Throws:<\/strong> R
WAR:<\/strong> 1.8
OPS+:<\/strong> 92<\/p>\n

Age is catching up with Realmuto, who won Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards in 2022 but has been in decline since. However, he still holds his own offensively and defensively. His power is diminished as his home runs have gone from 20 in 2023 to 14 in 2024 to just seven so far this year. But he still ranks in the top percentile in pop time and in the 96th percentile in caught stealing above average. His framing and blocking skills are graded as well below average at this point, but he\u2019s lauded for his game calling and pitchers love throwing to him.<\/p>\n

21. Gleyber Torres, 2B, Tigers<\/p>\n

Age:<\/strong> 28
Bats:<\/strong> R Throws:<\/strong> R
OPS+:<\/strong> 111
WAR:<\/strong> 1.8<\/p>\n

Torres has been an important table setter and lineup lengthener for the Tigers this season, reaching base at a .358 clip with 13 home runs. He\u2019s struggled of late, posting a .518 OPS over the past 30 games. He remains a well-below-average defensive second baseman in terms of his glove, range (30th percentile in outs above average) and arm strength (10th percentile).<\/p>\n

22. Luis Arraez, INF\/DH, Padres<\/p>\n

Age:<\/strong> 28
Bats:<\/strong> L Throws:<\/strong> R
OPS+:<\/strong> 99
WAR:<\/strong> 1.0<\/p>\n

Arraez has won three consecutive batting titles \u2014 with the Twins in 2022, the Marlins in 2023 and the Marlins and Padres in 2024. That streak will end this year, but he\u2019s still batting .289 and ranks among the league leaders in hits. The three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner continues to make contact (top percentile in whiff rate and strikeout rate) and create traffic for the Padres\u2019 power hitters without doing much offensive damage himself.<\/p>\n

23. Trent Grisham, OF, Yankees<\/p>\n

Age:<\/strong> 28
Bats:<\/strong> L Throws:<\/strong> L
OPS+:<\/strong> 121
WAR:<\/strong> 2.6<\/p>\n

Grisham hit .251 with 16 homers and 33 RBIs in his first 79 games this season. However, over the past 30 games, he\u2019s batting just .233 with a .729 OPS. He will need to finish the year strong to boost his free-agent value, but he\u2019s put together the best offensive season of his career. Still, to me, he profiles more as a fourth outfielder than a starting center fielder.<\/p>\n

24. Marcell Ozuna, DH, Braves<\/p>\n

Age:<\/strong> 34
Bats:<\/strong> R Throws:<\/strong> R
OPS+:<\/strong> 124
WAR:<\/strong> 1.9<\/p>\n

Injuries and age-related decline appear to have caught up with the veteran DH, who is batting .238 with 20 home runs, well below his production last season, when he hit 39 homers, slashed .302\/.378\/.546 and finished fourth in the NL MVP voting. Could he be a Comeback Player of the Year candidate next year? Sure, but I don\u2019t think it\u2019s likely,\u00a0and it\u2019s not likely he\u2019s with the Braves next year either.<\/p>\n

25. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Yankees<\/p>\n

Age:<\/strong> 37
Bats:<\/strong> R Throws:<\/strong> R
WAR:<\/strong> 1.3
OPS+:<\/strong> 109<\/p>\n

Goldschmidt\u2019s bat is less potent, but he still plays plus defense at first base and is a strong clubhouse presence. He\u2019s hitting .276 with 26 doubles and 10 homers this season and has lowered his strikeout rate 7 percentage points compared to 2024. He\u2019ll likely be leaving the Yankees after one year because Ben Rice appears ready to take over first base full-time in 2026.<\/p>\n

(Illustration: Will Tullos \/ The Athletic. Top photos: Brace Hemmelgarn, Jim McIsaac, Matt Dirksen \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"With the trade deadline behind them, MLB front offices have begun to focus more on the upcoming free-agent…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":147977,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[41],"tags":[1279,1280,1276,1281,1271,1274,5048,1282,1283,1885,2382,1284,1285,2502,1286,4247,1287,1266,1305,2228,5055,2083,1886,1306,1275,1288,62,3692,1289,1278,1290,67,132,68,1291],"class_list":{"0":"post-147976","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-mlb","8":"tag-arizona-diamondbacks","9":"tag-atlanta-braves","10":"tag-baltimore-orioles","11":"tag-boston-red-sox","12":"tag-chicago-cubs","13":"tag-chicago-white-sox","14":"tag-cincinnati-reds","15":"tag-cleveland-guardians","16":"tag-colorado-rockies","17":"tag-detroit-tigers","18":"tag-houston-astros","19":"tag-kansas-city-royals","20":"tag-los-angeles-angels","21":"tag-los-angeles-dodgers","22":"tag-miami-marlins","23":"tag-milwaukee-brewers","24":"tag-minnesota-twins","25":"tag-mlb","26":"tag-new-york-mets","27":"tag-new-york-yankees","28":"tag-oakland-athletics","29":"tag-philadelphia-phillies","30":"tag-pittsburgh-pirates","31":"tag-san-diego-padres","32":"tag-san-francisco-giants","33":"tag-seattle-mariners","34":"tag-sports","35":"tag-st-louis-cardinals","36":"tag-tampa-bay-rays","37":"tag-texas-rangers","38":"tag-toronto-blue-jays","39":"tag-united-states","40":"tag-unitedstates","41":"tag-us","42":"tag-washington-nationals"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":"Validation failed: Text character limit of 500 exceeded"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/147976","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=147976"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/147976\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/147977"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=147976"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=147976"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=147976"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}