Rankings and Projections for MLB Free Agents
Free agency starts today, here's your guide to the top names
The MLB wastes no time getting into their offseason, with free agency starting just five days after the World Series ends. That makes today, Thursday Nov. 6th the first day that teams can start to get new players signed and fans can get their hopes up!
Starting at 5:00 PM ET, we could see some big names find new homes, but normally it doesn’t happen day one. Regardless, I’ve got my eyes on how teams are going to spend after watching the Dodgers win back-to-back World Series with the highest payrolls. Will it be just the big market teams going after the big fish again? Or will other teams come in with offers?
Free Agent Rankings
1. Kyle Tucker, OF (28)
Possible teams: Dodgers, Yankees, Phillies, Giants
Projected contract: 11 years / $400 Million
Tucker played with the Cubs in 2025 after spending the first part of his career in Houston, it was always assumed that he was going to be the prized free agent this offseason.
The four-time All-Star missed some time this year with a calf and hand injury — he’s only played 214 games in the past two years. But, when healthy, he is one of the best at the plate, with the 11th highest WAR since 2021. Overall, he appears to be the biggest ticket in this free agency class with his proven track record and championship experience.
There is some risk signing Tucker to a 10+ year deal — with his recent struggles to stay on the field and his ability to play in the outfield for the whole contract. He’s never been known for his defense or speed, but his powerful left-handed swing. This needs to be a team that is willing to spend big and take on that risk.
2. Alex Bregman, 3B (31)
Possible Teams: Red Sox, Mets, Mariners
Projected Contract: 5 years / $160 Million
Bregman joins his former teammate as the top of the class. His proven ability to hit for power and average as a higher pull-hitter with years of consistency hold him high in my rankings.
He will likely want to play in a hitter friendly park, he seems like that kind of guy who will toss teams out of the equation who mold better for pitchers. Ultimately I think that he’ll be going back to the Red Sox — he seems to enjoy it there. It’s just a smart financial decision to test free agency and bid yourself higher.
He opted out of a $40 million player-option with Boston. If teams aren’t willing to sign him to a 5+ year contract, he might even be in the market for another 1 year prove it deal — but with his age, he should look for a longer-term deal while he can.
3. Framber Valdez, SP (31)
Possible Teams: Mets, Blue Jays, Braves, Padres
Projected Contract: 6 years / $168 Million
Valdez is the best starter in this class. Over the past four years he has made 121 starts with a 3.21 ERA. He’s also extremely dependable for a starter, with the 5th most innings pitched in that span — and the most playoff starts and innings since 2020, so it makes sense for a high profile contender to go after him.
He’s not going to be the ‘ace’ for the team that signs him, but a dependable starter that pitches to contact and lets his defense play. His attitude and personality may not be for everyone — combined with turning 32 before the season combined with his highest ERA since 2019, some teams might avoid him.
4. Bo Bichette, SS/2B (27)
Possible Teams: Blue Jays, Braves, Red Sox
Projected Contract: 5 years / $130 Million
Bichette is a first time free agent this year, after arguably his best year in the MLB. He’s one of the few ‘hit for average’ guys in the league and plays a position that is fairly thin this year.
He had -13 outs above average this year which is last among MLB shortstops, so the team signing him might already have a shortstop and be looking to move him to second. Bottom line, he’s being signed for his bat.
I would have to imagine that Bichette wants to return to Toronto. The team that drafted him — especially after losing in Game 7 of the World Series this year. Toronto has shown they’re willing to spend, so I would expect him to be back with Vlad Jr.
5. Kyle Schwarber, OF/DH (32)
Possible Teams: Phillies, Reds, Red Sox, Rangers
Projected Contract: 4 years / $128 Million
It was hard for me to rank a guy who hit 56 homers and drove in 132 runs in 5th place. His career high numbers are going to be great leverage for him to get a deal that is 4+ years — and I would expect that he does have a few great years left.
Schwarber is pretty much just a DH now and it’s a question if he will age gracefully or not. Needless to say, a reunion with Boston would be so fun to watch — he just looks right in a Red Sox uniform. The hitter-friendly park in Cincinnati might draw his attention as well if they’re willing to pay. Philly is rumored to make him a priority.
He is a finalist for the NL MVP this year, deservedly so — if he can keep his ability to drive the ball out of the park at elite levels, he can be one of the top guys in this free agency class.
6. Ranger Suarez, SP (30)
Possible Teams: Phillies, Mets, Orioles, Braves
Projected Contract: 4 years / $92 Million
Suarez is coming off his lowest ERA season as a full-time starter. The lefty’s fastball was down a tick this year compared to previous ones, but his ERA was also lower. His off-speed stuff has gotten better and he seems to have gained a meaningful mound presence over the last two years.
The Phillies are rumored to be prioritizing Kyle Schwarber, so Suarez is likely not returning unless he wants to take a pay cut. He is similar to Framber Valdez, in the style of pitching and the fact they both eat up innings and have postseason experience. For teams looking to fortify their rotation, Suarez is the perfect candidate as a #2 / #3 arm with veteran poise.
7. Cody Bellinger, OF (30)
Possible Teams: Yankees, Dodgers
Projected Contract: 6 years / $165 Million
Bellinger won the NL MVP in 2019 with the Dodgers, and this year was his second best season behind it. He offers elite bat control and plays an above average corner outfield position. He can also play center or 1B — making him valuable.
Bellinger is one of the tier one positional players available, so he should be getting a decent sized contract. It seems he will be in the middle of a bidding war between the two giants in our league, the Yankees and Dodgers.
He has to enjoy the short porch in New York as a lefty, and a reunion makes all too much sense after the Dodgers had a hole in their lineup in the outfield this year. This one will be interesting to watch play out.
8. Munetaka Murakami, 3B/1B (26)
Possible Teams: Yankees, Mets, Dodgers
Projected Contract: 5 years / $80 Million
Another Japanese born player is heading over the MLB, Murakami is a 6’2” left handed hitting power bat. He has hit 265 home runs since 2018 (when he turned 18) and has a career slash line of .273/.394/.550. His exit velos this year would have been in the 90th percentile in the MLB.
You might remember hearing about him when he hit 56 homers in 2022, breaking the record with the most by a Japanese born player in the NPB. He will be looking at the biggest-market teams. He swings and misses a ton, but the raw power and youth are there.
9. Dylan Cease, SP (29)
Possible Teams: Padres, Mets, Tigers, Cubs
Projected Contract: 5 years / $145 Million
Cease is similar to the other starters in this free agency class, in terms of consistency. He has had five straight seasons with at least 32 starts. Coming off one of the lower seasons of his career, Im sure he would’ve liked to put up better numbers.
Regardless, Cease is again a reliable starter in the middle of the rotation. I truly think that Cease has the ability to be a 3.00 ERA pitcher if he can get the right pitching coach for his style. He primarily uses two pitches (fastball and slider). l’ll be keeping my eye him next year, he can easily end up being the best SP in this class — the jump in ERA just positions him lower than Valdez and Suarez.
10. Pete Alonso, 1B/DH (30)
Possible Teams: Mets, Reds, Rangers
Projected Contract: 4 years / $110 Million
Alonso is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, and he’s positioned to land a decent contract. The question is, how many years? Alonso, now into his 30’s has teams wondering when he will begin to fall off.
Regardless, he is a great power hitter and can benefit a team that is in a “win now” mode. He chose his opt-out on the contract with the Mets, and after a disappointing end to the season with missing the playoffs — a change of scenery might be best for Alonso.
11. Tatsuya Imai, SP (27)
Possible Teams: Yankees, Mets, Cubs
Projected Contract: 6 years / $135 Million
The second Japanese-born player on the list, Imai has high upside given his age and improved controlled pitching. He posted a 1.92 ERA and a 3.96 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 163 innings in the NPB.
Similar to other Japanese pitchers, he has a nasty forkball and mid 90’s velo on the fastball. He should be a mid-low rotation arms but has the ability to become a top of the rotation guy if he develops correctly.
12. Josh Naylor, 1B (28)
Possible Teams: Mariners, Padres, Dbacks
Projected Contract: 3 years / $52.5 Million
Naylor has proven his ability to put the bat on the ball and play above average defense at first. His age and those qualities make him attractive for a team looking to fill that hole on their roster.
He has remarkable base running instincts despite being slow and provides a hardened mindset for his teammates and team. He possesses decent power and should be beneficial to a team for a couple years.
Other Notable Free Agents
JT Realmuto, C (35)
Shota Imanaga, SP (32)
Edwin Diaz, RP (32)
Robert Suarez, RP (34)
Trent Grisham, OF (29)
Zac Gallen, SP (30)
Eugenio Suarez, RP (34)
Michael King, SP (30)
Gleyber Torres, 2B (29)
Jorge Polanco, 2B (32)
Merrill Kelly, SP (37)
awesome preview, I really hope the Blue Jays can keep Bo but I have a feeling someone is going to throw money at him