We've barely had time to rest up from the 2024 MLB playoffs -- which ended with the Los Angeles Dodgers hoisting the World Series trophy in the Bronx on Wednesday night -- but the offseason has arrived and that means it's time to talk free agency.
The biggest free agent of this winter is Juan Soto, and he's his own special case to consider as those around the industry predict he could make upward of $600 million. Soto's decision will certainly affect team strategies, so let's remove him from the equation for now and take a look at the market apart from him.
Here's an initial dive into 10 of the top free agents along with some of the best potential fits for them -- considering not only team need but also its willingness to spend money.
Corbin Burnes, RHP
2024 stats: 15-9, 2.92 ERA, 32 GS, 194⅓ IP, 181 SO, 48 BB, 3.4 WAR
2025 age: 30
Best fit: New York Mets
The Mets are the clear fit here for the best starting pitcher available, with a combination of need and money to spend. Sean Manaea, Jose Quintana and Luis Severino are all free agents, so that's 94 starts New York needs to replace. Those three were solid in 2024 and the Mets could re-sign any of them, but Burnes would give them one of the few legitimate -- and durable -- aces around. They're losing about $180 million off the 2024 payroll so there is plenty of owner Steve Cohen's money to spend. Sure, they will pursue Soto, but adding a top-of-the-rotation starter is just as vital.
Two other top options: Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers
Burnes will be the first test to see how new Orioles owner David Rubenstein plans to run the payroll. General manager Mike Elias has so far operated the way his mentor Jeff Luhnow did in Houston -- preferring to trade for veteran starters rather than overpay for long-term contracts in free agency. But with Kyle Bradish injured, re-signing Burnes plugs an obvious need. The Tigers are a sleeper team. The bullpen worked wonders during their magical run to the playoffs, but manager A.J. Hinch can't pull that off for an entire season. With so many young players, there should be payroll room to add Burnes and create a dynamic 1-2 punch with Tarik Skubal.
Pete Alonso, 1B
2024 stats: .240/.329/.459, 34 HR, 88 RBIs, 2.6 WAR
2025 age: 30
Best fit: New York Mets
Alonso didn't have his best season in 2024, with his OPS dropping to a career low of .788, but there aren't many potential 40-homer bats who reach free agency. Plus, he has been a durable player throughout his career. Certainly, Alonso is beloved in New York and a reunion with the Mets feels like the likely scenario -- although, this is where we make the annual reminder that history shows most players who reach free agency sign with a new team. But there are exceptions to every rule -- see Aaron Judge -- and Alonso has more value to the Mets than any other franchise.
Two other top options: New York Yankees, Washington Nationals
Alonso in the other set of pinstripes in New York would look a bit awkward, but the Yankees finished last in the majors in OPS from first base. They'll have to first decide between exercising Anthony Rizzo's $17 million option or buying it out for $6 million, but Rizzo has now had two straight seasons with an OPS+ under 100. Their lineup also leans too right-handed as is -- and that was with Soto. So Alonso would fill a need.
The Nationals, meanwhile, could be gearing up to spend some money in free agency. Their first basemen hit just 14 home runs in 2024; only the Chicago White Sox hit fewer home runs overall. Stealing Alonso away from a division rival and putting him in a lineup with up-and-coming players such as James Wood and Dylan Crews would make a loud statement.
Alex Bregman, 3B
2024 stats: .260/.315/.453, 26 HR, 75 RBIs, 4.1 WAR
2025 age: 31
Best fit: Houston Astros
Bregman already signed one long-term contract with Houston, a five-year, $100 million deal that bought out his first two years of free agency. As important as Bregman has been to the Astros' success, the front office and ownership might determine they got his best seasons at a pretty team-friendly rate, so won't overpay now that he's in his 30s. Indeed, while Bregman has posted three consecutive 4-WAR seasons, those seasons weren't at his MVP-caliber level of 2018 and '19. The Astros are no longer a great offensive team, plus they must weigh their chances of re-signing Kyle Tucker, a younger player who is a free agent after 2025. Losing both would be disastrous to their short-term future.
Two other top options: Washington Nationals, Seattle Mariners
There is no shortage of other options here: Ten teams had an OPS under .650 from third base. The Nationals are a fit, especially if Alonso goes back to the Mets (although CJ Abrams ' defensive issues at shortstop could mean he moves to third base). The Mariners need offense and a guy like Bregman -- on-base skills and contact ability -- fits the bill (not to mention that would mean they wouldn't have to face him 13 times a year). Are they willing to spend the money? No, not unless they can trade Luis Castillo to open some payroll space.
Max Fried, LHP
2024 stats: 11-10, 3.25 ERA, 29 GS, 174.1 IP, 166 SO, 57 BB, 3.5 WAR
2025 age: 31
Best fit: Texas Rangers
Fried has been one of the few players the Atlanta Braves weren't able to lock up before he hits the market and, unlike Alonso and the Mets, there's a much greater certainty he signs elsewhere. The Braves don't like to pay market rates for star free agents -- they let Freddie Freeman go to the Dodgers -- and they'll count on Spencer Strider coming back to keep their rotation strong. The Rangers might not be the obvious destination, but Max Scherzer, Nathan Eovaldi and Andrew Heaney are free agents (assuming Eovaldi opts out of his $20 million option). Jon Gray is under contract for one more year and Jacob deGrom and Tyler Mahle are health risks. Prospects Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter are possible rotation options but given the age of some of the key offensive players -- Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Adolis Garcia -- the Rangers should be all-in to win now before their stars get older.
Two other top options: Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers
Fried probably will command at least a $100 million deal -- see Aaron Nola 's seven-year, $172 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies last offseason -- so that's going to limit other top options to only the richest teams. Of course, the Red Sox haven't been in that category the past few seasons, but they could use a top-of-the-rotation starter (and a lefty at that to go alongside all of their righties). But maybe they'll look for more second-tier starters the way they did last season when they signed Lucas Giolito (who had Tommy John surgery and missed the season).
And the Dodgers? We have to throw them out there since apparently nothing is beyond their means. Plus, Fried is part of that Harvard-Westlake trio, so that would be a return home. Imagine a rotation -- a healthy version -- of Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Fried, Tyler Glasnow, Clayton Kershaw -- and 10 other guys in reserve. Or maybe don't imagine that.
Willy Adames, SS
2024 stats: .251/.331/.462, 32 HR, 112 RBIs, 3.1 WAR
2025 age: 29
Best fit: Atlanta Braves
Adames probably priced himself out of Milwaukee with a big offensive season, plus the Brewers have Joey Ortiz in place to take over at shortstop. The Braves are a clear fit: Though they have Orlando Arcia under contract for $2 million, their offense surprisingly fell apart for much of 2024 and Arcia hit just .218/.271/.354. Arcia is the better defender, but Adames is fine at shortstop and brings much more offense. The question is whether Atlanta can fit Adames in its payroll and whether it'll be willing to pay the free agent rate.
Some of that depends on which of the contract options the Braves pick up: They'll certainly do it with Marcell Ozuna ($16 million), but Travis d'Arnaud ($8 million), Aaron Bummer ($7.25) and Luke Jackson ($7) are a little pricey for role players. Plus, Fried made $15 million in 2024. If you don't bring all of those players back, there's room to sign Adames.
Two other top options: Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants
Yes, the Dodgers again. They have Tommy Edman and Miguel Rojas, but Adames presents a more reliable offensive/defensive combination at the position, and they could keep Edman in that valuable utility role or play him in center field. For the Giants, Tyler Fitzgerald was their shortstop the final couple of months and certainly hit well enough that he'll be in the lineup somewhere in 2025. But he was stretched a bit defensively and could slide over to second base or fill a super-utility role if Adames is the shortstop. Otherwise, the market for Adames might not be robust, as most of the playoff teams are already set at shortstop. Maybe another team will want him to play second or third. Or maybe there's a surprise team ... how about the Miami Marlins?
Teoscar Hernandez, LF/RF
2024 stats: .272/.339/.501, 33 HR, 99 RBIs, 4.3 WAR
2025 age: 32
Best fit: Toronto Blue Jays
Hernandez was a free agent last offseason after a so-so year hitting in the dungeon of Seattle's T-Mobile Park, but he didn't get the multiyear offer he wanted so settled for a one-year deal with the Dodgers. He's more likely to break the bank this winter after an outstanding season. Certainly, he could land back in L.A., especially since his ability to crush lefties is a needed fit between all of those left-handed hitters. But how about a return engagement in Toronto? Blue Jays corner outfielders ranked 27th in the majors in OPS. They need offense and they'll be trying to get back to the postseason with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette in their final seasons of team control.
Two other top options: Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds
Two other teams that need a corner power bat. This depends on Hernandez's final price, but maybe his age keeps the number of years to a more affordable three, which gives small-market teams such as the Royals (28th in corner OPS) and Reds (25th) a chance to sign him. Of course, if the Yankees don't re-sign Soto or the Red Sox don't re-sign Tyler O'Neill, that could put them in the chase for Hernandez as well. The Giants would be another possibility.
Blake Snell, LHP
2024 stats: 5-3, 3.12 ERA, 20 GS, 104 IP, 145 SO, 44 BB, 2.1 WAR
2025 age: 32
Best fit: San Francisco Giants
Coming off his second Cy Young Award in 2023, Snell signed late with the Giants last offseason for two years and $62 million, a deal that included a $30 million player option for 2025 -- one that he'll probably opt out of after a dominant finish to his season (1.23 ERA in 14 starts after returning from an injury on July 9).
The Giants remain a fit for both need and ability to pay, especially since Kyle Harrison finished the season on the injured list because of shoulder soreness and Jordan Hicks ended it in the bullpen after he tailed off following a hot start in the rotation in April. They should have Robbie Ray for the entire season -- he could opt out of the final two years of his deal but is unlikely to do so after making seven starts coming back from Tommy John surgery -- but new president of baseball operations Buster Posey has to be intrigued by Snell's final three months.
Two other top options: Los Angeles Angels, New York Mets
All the teams we mentioned for Burnes and Fried would be in the mix here as well, especially the Mets. The Angels are an interesting possibility as owner Arte Moreno said after losing 99 games this season that the team needs to be more competitive in 2025. The only immediate way to get there is spending money, and the Angels' rotation ranked 28th in the majors in ERA. Snell's lack of durability -- the only two seasons he pitched more than 130 innings were his two Cy Young seasons -- held down his offers last year, but if any team does something unexpected with him this time around, it could be the Angels.
Anthony Santander, RF
2024 stats: .235/.308/.506, 44 HR, 102 RBIs, 2.9 WAR
2025 age: 30
Best fit: Washington Nationals
What's interesting about this offseason is how the futures of Hernandez and Santander play off what happens with Soto -- but if Soto's negotiations drag on, as they often do with Scott Boras clients, that could leave the other outfielders in a bind. Teams can't wait forever and might move on. Santander is also difficult to place a value on, coming off a career-high 44 home runs but with a below-average OBP and below-average range in right field. The Nationals have James Wood, Dylan Crews and light-hitting speedster Jacob Young in the outfield, but Santander gives them much-needed power and could serve most of his time as a DH while giving the others a break from the field every now and then.
Two other top options: Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers
Let's throw in a couple of wild cards. The Rockies, despite playing in Coors Field, ranked 29th in the majors in home runs from their right fielders and DHs. Charlie Blackmon has retired. Maybe Kris Bryant fills one of those slots (but you couldn't count on it). The Rockies rarely dabble in free agency and the Bryant signing might scare them from doing so for the next decade, but they need offense. Meanwhile, the Tigers also need offense. They have Kerry Carpenter locked into the DH role and do have a solid option in Matt Vierling for right field, but they could sign Santander and use Vierling as a utility type. While Santander isn't a great fit for the big right field at Comerica Park, he could move to left and Riley Greene shifts back to right.
Tanner Scott, LHP
2024 stats: 9-6, 1.75 ERA, 22 SV, 72 IP, 36 BB, 84 SO, 4.0 WAR
2025 age: 30
Best fit: Baltimore Orioles
There are a lot of best fits for the best reliever available (Phillies closer Carlos Estevez is probably second on that list). Scott has a 2.04 ERA over the past two seasons with 188 strikeouts in 150 innings. The Orioles do have Felix Bautista coming off Tommy John surgery, but they'll want more certainty after the Craig Kimbrel signing didn't work out and their bullpen finished 23rd in the majors with a 4.23 ERA. Signing Scott -- and bringing him back to his original organization -- won't cost as much as a premium starting pitcher and could give the Orioles just as much value, especially in the postseason, where we've seen the necessity of deep, dominant bullpens.
Two other top options: Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays
We could also throw in the Yankees (Clay Holmes is a free agent), Mets (need depth behind Edwin Diaz) and Astros (but they already have Josh Hader on a $95 million contract) -- but let's add two more AL East teams. Only the White Sox had more blown saves than Boston's 31, and the Red Sox finished 25th in bullpen ERA. The Blue Jays' pen might have been even worse as it fell apart when closer Jordan Romano went down early in the season and the team finished 29th in the majors in ERA.
Gleyber Torres, 2B
2024 stats: .257/.330/.378, 15 HR, 63 RBIs, 1.8 WAR
2025 age: 28
Best fit: Toronto Blue Jays
Torres isn't one of the top 10 free agents available this winter, but he's on this list because he's the top second baseman available and we've already addressed other positions. His power numbers fell off in 2024 as did his range at second base, so there's a chance the Yankees move on from him. He draws some walks and is still young enough that he projects as an average-type player for the next few seasons if you're willing to live with his limited range. The Jays were playing a first baseman at second base down the stretch in Spencer Horwitz so Torres might fit there -- although a middle infield of Bichette and Torres could be problematic.
Two other top options: Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco Giants
Angels second basemen were 29th in the majors in OPS. Luis Rengifo is around, but they'll probably need him to play third base to cover for Anthony Rendon. The Giants outrighted Thairo Estrada, their starting second baseman for most of 2024, and he elected free agency, so they have a hole there to fill.