These Are MLB’s 10 Hottest Free Agents This Offseason

Multiple sources around the New York Yankees have already said that Cody Bellinger is opting out of his $25 million player’s option for 2026. The two-time All-Star had an excellent season, hitting .272 with 29 home runs, 98 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 13 stolen bases. He is a plus defender who played more than 40 games at all three outfield positions this season, as well as spending some time at first base. The former NL MVP has already stated that he loved playing for the Yankees this season and would be open to returning.

Alex Bregman (3B)

According to MLB insider Mark Feinsand, it is a “near certainty” that Alex Bregman will opt out of his remaining contract with the Boston Red Sox. Bregman was off to a solid campaign in 2025 before a quad strain sidelined him for an extended period of time. The three-time All-Star slashed .273/.360/.462 with 18 homers, 62 RBI, 28 doubles, and 51 walks in 114 games. If the Red Sox, who have money to spend now that Rafael Devers is gone, don’t extend Bregman, there will be plenty of teams willing to sign the 31-year-old.

Ranger Suarez (SP)

Unrestricted free agent Ranger Suarez put up his best season as a starting pitcher in 2025 for the Philadelphia Phillies. The lefty was 12-8 with a 3.20 ERA and 151 strikeouts in 157 1/3 innings over 26 starts. After putting up similar numbers in an All-Star campaign in 2024, Suarez is bound to find someone willing to give him a five- or six-year deal. The Phillies may or may not be that team. They have already sunk a lot of money into their rotation and also have a decision to make on DH Kyle Schwarber (see below).

Kyle Schwarber (DH)

Schwarber had a walk year that will garner the Phillies’ designated hitter his share of MVP votes. He led the league in homers (56), RBI (132), and games played (162), while adding 111 runs scored and 108 walks. He even stole 10 bases. That said, Schwarber also struck out 197 times. While he has drawn comparisons to “three true outcomes” players like Adam Dunn, the 32-year-old is on a pace to surpass Dunn’s 462 career home runs. Some team will give him at least a four-year deal. Will it be the Phillies?

Pete Alonso (1B)

The New York Mets risked losing Pete Alonso by letting him become a free agent last offseason. They eventually came to their senses and re-signed the “Polar Bear” and were rewarded by a stellar year from Alonso. The slugging first baseman played in every game for the second straight year and led the league in doubles (41) while hitting .272 with 38 homers and 126 RBI. Now, Alonso will put the Mets through a similar offseason dilemma after opting out of the second year of his deal.

Robert Suarez (CL)

The San Diego Padres traded for (Oakland-ish) Athletics’ closer Mason Miller at the trade deadline. Miller is under team control through 2029, so where does that leave the team’s standing closer, Robert Suarez? After putting up 40 saves and a 2.97 ERA in 2025, most likely Suarez will opt out of the final two years of his deal and test free agency. Closers are always in demand, and the two-time All-Star should be able to garner double or triple what he was due in San Diego on the open market.

Michael King (SP)

After receiving NL Cy Young votes in 2024, the Padres’ Michael King was limited to just 15 starts this season due to knee and nerve issues. In those 15 starts, King went 5-3 with a 3.44 ERA, striking out 76 batters in 73 1/3 innings. King was one of only eight NL pitchers to throw a complete-game shutout during the 2025 regular season. Despite the injuries, King will most likely secure at least a four-year deal if either he or San Diego opts out of the mutual option in his contract for 2026. I am betting King will take his chances in free agency.

Dylan Cease (SP)

The Padres will have a very interesting offseason. Not only could they lose their closer for the last two seasons, but they could also lose two of their starting pitchers. While Suarez and King will have to opt out, veteran righty Dylan Cease will not. Despite having a down year, the unrestricted free agent still struck out over 200 batters for the fifth straight year. Cease was 8-12 with a 4.55 ERA this season, but he finished in the top five of the Cy Young voting two of the three previous seasons. The 29-year-old’s durability and penchant for the strikeout will most likely get him a long-term deal.

Bo Bichette (SS)

The Toronto Blue Jays had to pony up major money last offseason to keep superstar first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Now they face a similar decision with shortstop Bo Bichette. The two-time all-star had a fantastic season despite it being cut short by a knee injury in early September on a play at the plate in the Bronx. Bichette may return before Toronto’s playoff run is over. His 2025 stat line will make him very popular this offseason: .311/.354/.483, 181 hits, 44 doubles, 19 homers, 94 RBI, in 139 games.

Kyle Tucker (RF)

Chicago Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker has had a rollercoaster 2025 season. He got off to a hot start, making his fourth straight All-Star game and looking like he would join the 30-homer/30-stolen base club. Unfortunately, he broke his right hand on June 1 on a head-first slide into second base. Ever the gamer, Tucker played with the fracture for almost three months, and it wrecked his season and slowed the Cubs’ playoff momentum. “King Tuck” still managed a slash line of .266/.377/.464 with 22 homers, 73 RBI, 25 steals, 87 walks, and 91 runs scored in 136 games.

End Of My MLB Free Agent Rant

Schwarber’s mammoth power numbers this season will make him a major target for any team that needs a middle-of-the-order presence. His on-base percentage will make him a target for any team that needs someone in the leadoff spot–where he often hit in Philly. Despite his flaws (defense/strikeouts), he will definitely get paid. King, Cease, Alonso, and Bichette will also get big deals. The big question mark, though, will be Tucker.

Chicago had every chance to extend Tucker after giving up so much in the deal with the Houston Astros to get him. They didn’t, though. Instead, the team ran him out onto the field with a broken hand for months. That turned a major power source in their lineup into a slap hitter for most of the second half of their season. It also lowered his value on the free agent market. Who knows if his hand ever healed properly, and how much it will affect him moving forward? If he is healthy in 2026, he could be a steal for whoever picks him up as a free agent. It most likely won’t be the Cubs, though.