Another MLB offseason has begun, and there are a plethora of star free agents on the market. With the $765M Juan Soto off the board courtesy of the New York Mets, it’s time to redirect the spotlight down the line towards the rest of the star-studded group seeking new deals in potentially new locker rooms.
If a team isn’t mentioned here it is most likely because I see them making moves for less impactful free agents or being big on the trade market. Without further ado, here are my predictions for the landing spots of some of the free agents this offseason.
1. Corbin Burnes, Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays were horrible in 2024, inexcusably so. Ross Atkins and Mark Shapiro need to make a big splash this offseason in order to keep their jobs and have been projected to target a top of the rotation starter. Ken Rosenthal said he expects the Blue Jays to put together a massive offer for Burnes, and with a lack of interest from California teams who either can’t afford him or have other interests, Burnes will choose Toronto. I think when it comes to bats, the Blue Jays will pivot to trying two get pieces off the trade market using some of their young Major League ready hitters
2. Roki Sasaki, San Diego Padres
This is definitely against the popular opinion of Sasaki signing with the Dodgers, but I think San Diego makes just as much sense. San Diego has fantastic player development, a decent international free agent budget, and a bonus for Sasaki is that he gets to play with his childhood hero, Yu Darvish. Sasaki also fits really well into the Padres rotation as an incredibly cheap option while Musgrove is out.
Anyone under 25 must sign as an international free agent, and Roki is just 23. According to Jeff Passan, the teams with the largest international bonus pools remain around $7.5M, meaning whoever lands the Japanese potential phenom could be signing an ace at a massive bargain. Nowhere near the $325M over 12 years offered to Yoshinobu Yamamoto by the Los Angeles Dodgers last offseason to complete his move to Major League Baseball.
3. Alex Bregman, New York Mets
After succeeding on their pursuit of Juan Soto, the Mets are still looking for a big bat, especially one that hits from the right side to give Soto protection. Bregman looks like he’s going after a big contract this offseason, and the Mets have been clear in stating that they have a big budget for this offseason and are not done after Soto. It will most likely not be the Manny Machado sized deal that Bregman is looking for, but it will be enough for him to leave Houston.
4. Pete Alonso, New York Yankees
After losing Juan Soto, the Yankees have to fill a gigantic void left by one of the premier hitters in the sport and add a batter to their lineup who can at least get marginalize the damage from the lost production. With a hole at first base if Anthony Rizzo leaves, Alonso seems like a likely fit. Alonso is second in the MLB in home runs since he debuted and can be menacing for the Yankees. The Yankees can take a slugger from Queens as a little revenge for Soto.
5. Max Fried, New York Yankees
The Yankees seem to be targeting the top free agent arms, and they need a co-ace to back Gerrit Cole. Max Fried is the top remaining free agent LHP and the Yankees will be all over him. Fried’s aspirations of heading to the west coast seem unlikely to be fulfilled because of the Dodgers signing Blake Snell and other teams in California looking elsewhere. The Yankees seems like they would offer him the most money and it has been reported that the two sides had a very good meeting.
6. Anthony Santander, Boston Red Sox
After missing out on Juan Soto, the Red Sox are still looking to pivot for a big bat, especially one that can hit from the right side, or maybe even both. The Red Sox have been clear in stating that they have a big budget for this offseason. Santander seems like a likely fit based on how his bat would project at Fenway. Santander was a dominant slugger for Baltimore last offseason and can be menacing for the Red Sox.
7. Jack Flaherty, Detroit Tigers
The Tigers made a surprise playoff push last season after selling Flaherty at the deadline. With the Dodgers filling Flaherty’s spot in the rotation with Blake Snell, it looks like the World Series Champion will not be returning home to LA. The Tigers are a logical fit for Flaherty, he is familiar with the organization and thrived there in the first half. Flaherty will be a great SP2 after Skubal and with the emergence of Jackson Jobe, the top of the Tigers rotation could turn deadly.
8. Sean Manaea, Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore needs a top of the rotation arm after losing Corbin Burnes. In fact, they need multiple. Instead of signing one of the top arms who command super long contracts, I seeing them signing multiple arms to mid term deals to solidify their rotation. Manaea was an ace for the Mets last season and that is something Baltimore could really use. This rotation could shift from laughable to elite if the Orioles play their cards right.
9. Teoscar Hernandez, Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles and Teoscar Hernandez fit so well in both ways last season and I think the Dodgers would like to run it back. Los Angeles gets a powerful bat for the heart of the order to mix with their superstars, while Hernandez gets to stay in a city that he loves and win.
10. Christian Walker, Washington Nationals
The Nationals are a team that is looking to make a splash this offseason and I think that this is the move. Washington’s biggest hole in the lineup is at first base and they could use a veteran presence like Walker. This team could be exciting with the rise of some notable prospects, and I think Walker is the start of a new era in DC.
11. Tanner Scott, Philadelphia Phillies
Scott is the top reliever on the current free agent market, and rightfully so. Over the past two seasons he has been dominant out of the bullpen for both Miami and San Diego. A top team that needs to address its bullpen this offseason is the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies won the NL East this year and will look to continue to dominate the division with the Atlanta Braves looking to make a resurgence. Scott will thrive in the Phillies bullpen and will be crucial in them continuing their run.
12. Jurickson Profar, Kansas City Royals
Bats seem to be the priority for Kansas City this offseason. Like the Royals, Jurickson Profar took massive steps forward last season. Coming off of an All-Star nod, Profar can provide the Royals with a combination of always welcome defensive versatility and a well-rounded switch hitting bat.
13. Gleyber Torres, Seattle Mariners
Hitting needs to be a priority for the Mariners this offseason, especially in the middle infield. Gleyber Torres is a bat who is most likely looking for a prove it deal to get a multi-year contract next offseason. I see him fitting in that Mariners lineup and hopefully breaking their second baseman curse.
14. Nathan Eovaldi, New York Mets
Eovaldi opted out of his deal with the Rangers and now finds himself in a market where a lot of teams need starting pitching and are willing to pay heavily to sign with them. I see Eovaldi joining the top of the Mets rotation and helping fix one of their greatest struggles as this team looks to make a playoff push.
15. Ha-Seong Kim, Detroit Tigers
The Tigers have a weak infield. Kim is a platinum glove defender who can fill so many holes. He’s a great addition to a lineup that needs improvements and is a viable move if the Tigers are looking continue to compete in the AL Central.