Top 3 Free Agent Hitters Remaining in 2026

The most potent potential bat remaining on the market is far and away designated hitter Marcell Ozuna. Though he had a down year in 2025 by his standards, he still provided above-average punch compared to the rest of the league.

In 145 games, Ozuna had a 114 wRC+ and slugged 21 homers and 19 doubles while driving in 68 runs and finishing tied for seventh in MLB with 94 walks. For most hitters, that’s an extremely solid line.

But for Ozuna, it failed to meet expectations. In the two previous seasons, he averaged 39.5 homers, 30 doubles, 102 RBIs, and a 147 wRC+. Unsurprisingly, he received MVP votes both years and earned an All-Star nod in 2024.

Ozuna is entering his age-35 season, so there is very much a chance that he doesn’t regain his 2023-24 form. Even if he bounces back from 2025 a little bit, though, that would be production that any team would be glad to have.

Hopeful contenders like the Rangers and Royals finished bottom three in wRC+ from the DH position in MLB in 2025. They also don’t have guaranteed fixes to their problems in 2026, making great possible homes for Ozuna.

2. Paul Goldschmidt

For over a decade and a half, Paul Goldschmidt has terrorized opposing pitchers. His career 63.8 bWAR ranks seventh among active players and is currently tied for 152nd all time, just behind MLB legends like Roy Halladay, Dave Winfield, and Jackie Robinson.

Goldschmidt played his sole season for the Yankees last year after signing a one-year contract the previous offseason. And even in his age-37 season, he wasn’t exactly an easy out at the plate.

The veteran first baseman hit .274 with a .731 OPS in 146 games while slugging 31 doubles, good for second most on the team. Not quite to the level of his 2022 NL MVP season, but still better than most.

Additionally, he still proved to be a capable fielder even in his late 30s. His -1 DRS and -3 OAA certainly didn’t lead the league but still put him right at or just below the average of qualified players at the position.

The Diamondbacks seemed like an obvious fit before they recently brought in Carlos Santana. A return to the Bronx isn’t out of the question, either. Wherever Goldschmidt ends up, he proved in 2025 that he can still make an impact.

3. Nathaniel Lowe

If a team in need of a first baseman with pop was wanting to go in a younger direction, well that is an option that exists as well. Look no further than Nathaniel Lowe.

In the first six seasons of his career, Lowe amassed 114 doubles, 89 homers, and 329 RBIs on a .789 OPS and never had a season wRC+ below 103. You wouldn’t have expected that type of historic production the way his 2025 season began.

Lowe was traded from the Rangers to the Nationals in the 2024-25 offseason and had a stint with them to forget. In 119 games, he slashed just .216/.292/.373 with a 26.5% strikeout rate that was his highest in five years. Despite 16 homers and 68 RBIs, he was designated for assignment in August.

The Red Sox would go on to claim Lowe, and boy did things improve from there. In 34 games to finish the season in Boston, he raised his slash line way up to .280/.370/.420 with six doubles, a pair of homers, and 16 RBIs.

Past history shows that he has a good chance at bringing solid offensive production to the team that decides to sign him. All he needs is for someone to take a chance.