Three underrated MLB signings that can pay dividends in 2026

With the Toronto Blue Jays’ latest signing, another international star has been claimed from the market. Kazuma Okamoto, who is renowned in Japan for his power, contact-hitting abilities and glovework, will make the lineup of the reigning AL champs even more formidable.

Now that his free agency has concluded, all three top-tier international free agents (Tatsuya Imai, Munetaka Murakami and Okamoto) have been signed. But while these three seemed to dominate the headlines in recent weeks, there have been a slew of free agents whose signings didn’t receive as much attention. Let’s preview three such signings that could prove to be significant.

1B/OF Nick Torres, Yankees

In the midst of a tepid offseason, the New York Yankees were seemingly bottom-feeding, scouring the market for value. They haven’t come up with much, but their bargain hunt may have produced a gem. 

Torres’ free agency didn’t make any headlines, but the Yankees didn’t fail to notice him. Torres’ last attempt to crack a major-league roster was in 2018, when he hit .195 with no home runs in 118 Triple-A at-bats with the Rangers. After that failed season, he took a deal in Mexico where his bat caught fire.

Last year, Torres won MVP in the Mexican League, posting a .347/.425/.730 slash line with 27 home runs in 326 at-bats. Over his career in Mexico, he hit .321/.406/.549 with 128 home runs in 2585 at-bats.

If his bat translates well, Torres will bring the Yankees flexibility as he can play first base and the outfield, coincidentally aligning with Cody Bellinger’s skillset. Should the Yankees acquire another outfielder, he may be a suitable right-handed platoon for Ben Rice at first.

1B Tyler Austin, Cubs

Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch is coming off a transformative year, hitting .261 with 34 home runs. However, against southpaws, Busch hit just .207 with four home runs in 95 plate appearances, posting a meager .274 OBP. Because of this, the Cubs enlisted the help of a promising platoon bat returning from Japan.

Austin is best-known for his fight with Joe Kelly back when he played first base for the Yankees. In the majors, he failed to impress. In four years, Austin compiled a lackluster .219/.292/.451 slash line, though it came with a promising 33 home runs in 521 career at-bats.

However, in Japan, Austin rose to stardom. He finished his stint in the NPB hitting .293/.377/.568 with 85 home runs in 1,305 career at-bats. While his lack of success in the majors is concerning, the Cubs are betting that his newfound success will translate, inking him to a team-friendly one-year, $1.25M contract.

3B/2B/1B Sung Mun Song, Padres

A KBO star infielder, Song’s repertoire is very similar to that of his former Kiwoom Heroes teammate Hyeseong Kim. Last year, the former hit .315/.387/.530 with 26 home runs and 25 stolen bases in 584 at-bats, also winning a Golden Glove at third base. Song broke out the prior season, hitting a .340/.409/.518 with 19 home runs.

For his new team, the San Diego Padres, Song could slot in at first or second base depending on where Jake Cronenworth will be playing. The departure of Ryan O’Hearn along with the free agencies of Luis Arraez and Jose Iglesias have the potential to open up the right side of San Diego’s infield, giving both Cronenworth and Song a shot at becoming everyday starters. There is also a chance the Padres could use him as an outfielder according to manager Craig Stammen.