As the winter meetings have concluded and the trade market is heating up, the baseball offseason has reached an intriguing stage. The ongoing winter has seen a flurry of activity across the league, starting with a wave of starting pitcher signings. The World Series champion Dodgers made a significant move by acquiring left-hander Blake Snell even before December arrived. The focus then shifted to Juan Soto’s historic free agency, which culminated in a record contract with the Mets.
While Soto’s deal was monumental on its own, it set off a chain reaction of moves involving teams that missed out. The Yankees were particularly aggressive, acquiring Max Fried via free agency and closer Devin Williams through a trade. As other appealing arms came off the board, the position player market has remained relatively quiet, with notable signings including San Francisco’s seven-year deal with shortstop Willy Adames and several catcher acquisitions.
Despite the significant activity in the market, there are still 21 of the top 50 free agents available, including nine of the top 25. This number is expected to decrease in the coming weeks. However, one free agent, Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki, is set to have a unique situation that will likely extend into mid-January. As an international amateur, Sasaki cannot sign officially until the next year’s window for such players opens on Jan. 15. This opens up the possibility of a wider range of teams pursuing him, creating an intriguing contrast to the bidding wars seen for other top free agents from traditional powerhouse franchises.
As teams continue their pursuit of available talent through free agency or trade, the offseason has already seen significant changes in MLB. While Soto’s and Sasaki’s situations are among the most important storylines to watch this winter, there is still plenty of business left to be done across the league.
Note: View the full list of pending free agents here. An asterisk denotes that a player received a qualifying offer.
The best hitter
1. Juan Soto*, OF, 26 years old
UPDATE: Soto and the New York Mets agreed on a record 15-year, $765 million deal
Soto has quickly become one of the most accomplished hitters in the game’s history, hitting the free-agent market at a remarkably young age of 26. With a consistent track record of offensive excellence in both the regular season and postseason, Soto’s performance drove his price to unprecedented levels that the Mets were willing to meet. In 2024, Soto hit a career-high 41 home runs, indicating that his power potential is still on the rise as he matures.
Aside from his home run totals, Soto’s exceptional plate discipline, drawing more walks than strikeouts in each of the past six seasons, makes him a safe bet to maintain an elite level of performance over the long term. Represented by super-agent Scott Boras this winter, Soto stands in a league of his own, sparking a historic bidding war among several interested teams.
The best pitcher
2. Roki Sasaki, SP, 23
Sasaki has been a well-known figure in Japan since his high school days, showcasing exceptional physical talent on the mound from a young age. He demonstrated the ability to reach triple digits as a teenager before transitioning to the professional ranks. With two outstanding secondary offerings in a vicious splitter and sharp slider to complement his ferocious fastball, Sasaki has the potential to be one of the top pitching prospects in history, not just in Japan.
While Sasaki’s workload is not as extensive as other Japanese stars who transitioned to MLB, his exceptional abilities have been evident on multiple occasions, including a memorable 19-strikeout perfect game in 2022. A key aspect of Sasaki’s free agency is the absence of an all-out bidding war for his services due to international bonus pool restrictions. This limitation means he can sign for a capped amount, likely ranging between $5 million and $7 million. Similar to Shohei Ohtani’s decision to leave Japan in 2017, Sasaki’s free agency represents a valuable precedent for what may unfold in the coming months.
Despite the financial restrictions, Sasaki’s intention to make the leap to MLB as soon as possible remains steadfast, with his likeliest landing spot being where he can best achieve his big-league aspirations. From a value perspective, Sasaki ranks ahead of even Soto on this list, as he will sign a contract well below his actual worth, opening the door to a broader range of teams vying for his services. Whether based on ability alone, Sasaki deserves a place near the top of this list, given the remarkable potential he has shown in his young career. His free agency, alongside Soto’s, is one of the most significant storylines to follow this winter.
3. Corbin Burnes*, SP, 30
UPDATE: Burnes and the Arizona Diamondbacks agreed on a 6-year, $210 million deal
Burnes has established himself as one of the best pitchers in MLB since 2020, boasting the lowest ERA among pitchers with at least 100 games started. His effectiveness relies on a strong defense behind him, with a strikeout rate that consistently ranks at the league average. The key for Burnes was to join a team with a quality defense to maximize his value, making it a challenge for the Yankees, who secured this deal after missing out on Juan Soto. In terms of durability and run prevention, Burnes is among the best in the league. Additionally, his fastball velocity has remained steady around 94 mph over the past four seasons. While he has missed some time due to forearm injuries in recent years, it has not affected his performance. His position on this list is a result of the high regard for Snell and other hitters, rather than a criticism of Burnes.
The good infielders
4. Alex Bregman*, 3B, 31
Debuting just before the Astros’ rise to dominance in the American League, Bregman has been a prominent figure in MLB for most of his career. While a six-year, $100 million extension kept him in Houston longer than expected, he enters free agency in his prime. Despite a dip in OBP relative to his career norms in 2024, Bregman’s stellar defense at third base remains intact. He combines fantastic contact skills with the ability to pull fly balls, maximizing his modest power potential and ensuring a solid floor for his bat. With a renowned work ethic and extensive postseason experience, Bregman is an ideal target for teams seeking a cornerstone in the infield. Although teammate Jose Altuve has expressed a desire to keep Bregman in Houston, the third baseman is likely to attract substantial interest across the league, making it challenging for the Astros to retain their former No. 2 draft pick.
5. Willy Adames*, SS, 29
UPDATE: Adames and the San Francisco Giants agreed on a 7-year, $182 million deal
Entering free agency in a similar position to Dansby Swanson a couple of winters ago, Adames emerged as a top NL Central shortstop with a strong glove coming off a career year at the plate in his age-28 season. While his defense may not match Swanson’s, Adames boasts a longer track record of power production and a fantastic clubhouse reputation to complement his on-field contributions. Adames set career highs in games played, doubles, homers, and stolen bases in his final year as a Brewer. As the best player at his position by a comfortable margin this winter, Adames secured a seven-year, $182 million deal, surpassing Swanson’s contract.
The other good pitchers
6. Blake Snell, SP, 32
UPDATE: Snell and the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed on a 5-year, $182 million deal
An intriguing free agent, Snell won the NL Cy Young in 2023 but did not receive significant offers from teams. Despite signing late with San Francisco on a two-year, $62 million deal, Snell was sensational in his last 17 starts of the season, boasting a 2.05 ERA in 92⅓ innings. While he is worthy of a Game 1 playoff start, it is notable that no team was willing to invest significantly in him last offseason. Despite concerns about durability, control, and injuries, the Dodgers believe Snell is worth it, marking a significant move for the team.
7. Max Fried*, SP, 31
UPDATE: Fried and the New York Yankees agreed on an 8-year, $218 million deal
Since 2020, Fried has maintained the lowest ERA in MLB among pitchers with at least 100 games started. His effectiveness hinges on a strong defense behind him, with a strikeout rate that consistently ranks at the league average. It was crucial for Fried to join a team with quality defense to maximize his value, making it a challenge for the Yankees, who secured this deal after missing out on Juan Soto. In terms of bulk and run prevention, Fried is among the best in the league. Notably, his fastball velocity has remained around 94 mph over the past four seasons. While he has missed some time due to forearm injuries in recent years, it has not affected his stuff. Fried’s ranking on this list is more about the high regard for Snell and other hitters than a knock on Fried’s abilities.
Second-tier bats
8. Pete Alonso*, 1B, 30
Since his debut in 2019, only Aaron Judge has hit more home runs than Alonso. The longtime Met is either an exceptional player or just a really good one. Despite his power, Alonso’s profile has unavoidable flaws: he is a poor defender, strikes out frequently, and has a .229 batting average in the past two years. Furthermore, his 2024 season was notably inconsistent. Alonso’s future with the Mets depends on the asking price, as he was initially aiming for a contract similar to Freddie Freeman’s. However, the reality suggests a more modest deal. Nonetheless, Alonso’s home run track record is impressive, making him a valuable asset in a league where power hitters are highly sought after.
9. Teoscar Hernández*, OF, 32
UPDATE: Hernández and the Dodgers agreed on a three-year, $66 million deal
Hernández’s market was unexpectedly cold last year during his first free agency despite a strong track record of slugging leading up to his disappointing platform year with the Mariners. His lack of a multi-year deal last winter led him to a lucrative one-year contract with the Dodgers, where he aimed to rediscover his best form. Hernández delivered an All-Star performance as a key player for the champs, raising his profile nationally and positioning himself for a more substantial payday this time around. While he remains an average corner outfielder with limited defense and some swing-and-miss tendencies, Hernández attracted serious interest from teams looking to add significant right-handed power to their lineups. His fit with the Dodgers was strong, leading to an unsurprising reunion.
10. Christian Walker*, 1B, 34
UPDATE: Walker and the Houston Astros agreed on a 3-year, $60 million deal
The longtime Diamondbacks first baseman did not become a big-league regular until he turned 28, entering free agency for the first time at a relatively advanced age of 34. Despite his age, Walker has shown few signs of decline. He remains an exceptional defender at first base, winning Gold Gloves in 2022 and 2023, and his bat-speed metrics are impressive. While Walker missed August due to an oblique issue that impacted his September production, he is expected to be fully healthy for the start of the season with the Astros. Walker has been a consistent first-base option in baseball, offering reliability rather than game-changing abilities. The Astros secured a strong clubhouse presence, excellent glove, and a valuable, reliable bat with their deal with Walker.
11. Anthony Santander*, OF, 30
In 2024, Santander hit 44 home runs, the fifth-most by a switch-hitter in a single season in MLB history, a remarkable achievement for a former Rule 5 pick. His time in Baltimore was a success, considering the team’s acquisition method, and his standout final season has positioned him for a significant payday this winter. Santander stands out for his rare power as a switch-hitter, with balanced splits that few players of his type possess. He poses a threat from both sides of the plate and strikes out less than the average hitter, allowing his power to shine consistently.
However, Santander’s outfield defense is lacking, and he may transition to a designated hitter role sooner rather than later. He is not a base-stealing threat and tends to struggle when chasing pitches out of the zone. Despite occasional slumps, Santander’s power numbers are significant, with only Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Kyle Schwarber, Matt Olson, and Alonso hitting more home runs than him over the past three seasons. His slugging ability should not be underestimated.
Second-tier arms
12. Jack Flaherty, SP, 29
Flaherty settled for a one-year, $14 million deal with the Detroit Tigers last winter. Once considered