Ranking the Top 100 MLB Free Agents of 2024-25 Offseason
0 of 30
Juan SotoThearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
The 2024-25 MLB offseason has arrived, and with the five-day window following the World Series when teams have exclusive negotiating rights with their own players set to close, free agency will officially begin.
This year’s free-agent class is headlined by outfielder Juan Soto, and as a 26-year-old superstar just entering the prime of his career, he is going to command a massive payday that will likely eclipse $500 million.
Behind him, Corbin Burnes, Blake Snell and Max Fried all represent top-of-the-rotation starting pitching options, while shortstop Willy Adames, third baseman Alex Bregman, first baseman Pete Alonso and outfielders Teoscar Hernández and Anthony Santander are the best of the bats behind Soto.
To set the scene for the offseason ahead, we’ve put together an all-encompassing list of the Top 100 free agents of the offseason. Players are ranked based on a combination of their expected production going forward and their projected earning power.
Enjoy.
Nos. 100-96
1 of 30
Ryne StanekHeather Barry/Getty Images
100. RP Hunter Strickland (Age: 36)
After not pitching in the majors at all in 2023, Strickland made good on a minor league deal with the Angels and logged a team-high 72 appearances. He finished with a 3.31 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 7.0 K/9 while tallying 12 holds.
99. 2B Thairo Estrada (Age: 28)
Age and track record make Estrada a good buy-low reclamation project after he was outrighted by the Giants and elected free agency. In 2022 and 2023, he had a 103 OPS+ while averaging 24 doubles, 14 home runs, 22 steals and 2.0 WAR. However, he had a 68 OPS+ and minus-0.5 WAR in 96 games in 2024.
98. RP Ryne Stanek (Age: 33)
Stanek is not the same elite-level setup reliever he was in his prime with the Astros, but he still proved useful with a 4.88 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 10.9 K/9 in 63 appearances with the Mariners and Mets. He also made seven appearances for the Mets in the postseason, tallying one win, two holds and a 3.38 ERA in eight innings of work.
97. DH/C Gary Sánchez (Age: 31)
The Brewers used Sánchez primarily as a designated hitter in 2024, and he provided his usual pop with 11 home runs and 37 RBI in 280 plate appearances. He did still spend 234.2 innings behind the plate, and teams could target him as a bench bat and backup catcher.
96. C Yasmani Grandal (Age: 35)
A two-time All-Star and perennial 20-homer candidate in his prime, Grandal is still a useful part-time starter. He had a 95 OPS+ with 10 doubles, nine home runs and 27 RBI in 243 plate appearances with the Pirates, and he can provide a veteran presence behind the plate.
Nos. 95-91
2 of 30
Amed RosarioJim McIsaac/Getty Images
95. IF/OF Amed Rosario (Age: 28)
A 4.2-WAR player in 2022 when he was the everyday shortstop for the Guardians, Rosario has failed to match that level of production the last two seasons. He hit .280/.306/.380 with 24 extra-base hits and 13 steals in 103 games with the Rays, Dodgers and Reds while seeing semi-regular action in the outfield for the first time in his career.
94. RP Tim Hill (Age: 34)
After struggling to a 5.87 ERA in 27 appearances with the White Sox, Hill was released on June 18. He caught on with the Yankees two days later and logged a 2.05 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 35 games before serving in a high-leverage role during the postseason.
93. RP Jorge López (Age: 31)
An All-Star in 2022 when he saved 23 games with the Orioles and Twins, López is a capable late-inning option. He had a 2.89 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 8.5 K/9 in 52 appearances with the Mets and Cubs, though he made headlines in May when he threw his glove into the stands following a poor outing with the Mets, ultimately leading to his release.
92. RP Danny Coulombe (Age: 35)
The Orioles made the surprising decision to decline a reasonable $4 million club option on Coulombe after he posted a 2.56 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 10.0 K/9 with 35 holds in 94 appearances over the past two seasons. He should be able to top that option figure, though his age might limit him to a one-year deal.
91. RP Yimi García (Age: 34)
García was lights-out for the Blue Jays to begin the 2024 season, posting a 2.70 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and a 42-to-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 30 innings with five saves and 10 holds in 29 appearances. He made 10 appearances with the Mariners after he was traded at the deadline, but he was shut down for the season in mid-August with elbow inflammation.
Nos. 90-86
3 of 30
Carson KellySam Hodde/Getty Images
90. C Carson Kelly (Age: 30)
A former top prospect and one of the key pieces who went the other way in the deal that sent Paul Goldschmidt from the D-backs to the Cardinals, Kelly has shown flashes of being a plus option behind the plate throughout his career. He hit .238/.313/.374 with nine doubles, nine home runs and 37 RBI in 91 games with the Tigers and Rangers in 2024.
89. RP Buck Farmer (Age: 33)
Farmer has been a workhorse out of the Reds bullpen the past two seasons, making a career-high 71 appearances in 2023 before posting a 3.04 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 8.9 K/9 in 61 outings in 2024. The former starter is capable of recording more than three outs if needed in a middle relief role.
88. RP Chris Martin (Age: 38)
Martin landed a two-year, $17.5 million deal from the Red Sox last time he was a free agent, and he logged a 2.16 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 9.0 K/9 with five saves and 38 holds in 100 appearances over the life of that deal. He had a 50-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 44.1 innings during the 2024 season and is still going strong at 38 years old.
87. IF/OF Whit Merrifield (Age: 35)
An All-Star as recently as 2023, Merrifield moved into more of a utility role this past season after signing a one-year, $8 million deal with the Phillies. He was released in July and caught on with the Braves down the stretch, finishing the season hitting .222/.311/.314 in 335 plate appearances. Speed (17 SB) and defensive versatility still give the three-time All-Star potential value.
86. OF Tommy Pham (Age: 36)
Pham has joined a contender for the stretch run each of the past three seasons, and he spent time with the White Sox, Cardinals and Royals in 2024. He hit .248/.305/.368 with 32 extra-base hits in 478 plate appearances, and he could again hunt playing time on a rebuilding team with an eye on being flipped at the deadline once more.
Nos. 85-81
4 of 30
Gio UrshelaKevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images
85. OF David Peralta (Age: 37)
Peralta had a quietly productive season with the Padres, hitting .267/.335/.415 for a 109 OPS+ with 19 extra-base hits in 260 plate appearances. He posted a .905 OPS with six doubles, five home runs and 15 RBI in August, showing he can still get hot at the plate, and he has significant appeal as a fourth outfielder and veteran presence in the clubhouse.
84. C Elias Díaz (Age: 33)
The 2023 All-Star Game MVP, Díaz saw his production dip during the second half of his career year, and he followed that up by hitting .265/.313/.382 with 20 doubles, six home runs and 39 RBI in 96 games with the Rockies and Padres. He is one of the better options in a thin catching market, and he has some upside as a potential platoon starter.
83. IF Gio Urshela (Age: 33)
Urshela started the 2024 season with the Tigers, and he joined the Braves down the stretch to fill-in for the injured Austin Riley at third base. He hit .250/.286/.316 with 19 doubles, nine home runs and 52 RBI in 461 plate appearances, and he is capable of handling all four infield positions in a utility role.
82. RP José Leclerc (Age: 30)
Leclerc has tallied 41 saves and 57 holds with a 3.27 ERA and 11.8 K/9 in 350 career appearances, with all of them coming in a Rangers uniform. He had a 4.32 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 66.2 innings in 2024 serving as a setup option for Kirby Yates, and his late-inning experience should help drive his market.
81. IF Kevin Newman (Age: 31)
Newman sent expectations soaring when he hit .308/.353/.446 with 12 home runs, 64 RBI and 16 steals in a 3.0-WAR rookie season in 2019, but he never replicated that performance in Pittsburgh and has since settled into a utility role. He was a 2.2-WAR player in 2024 on the strength of his defensive work, posting stellar defensive metrics at second base (284.2 INN, 6 DRS, 4.6 UZR/150) and shortstop (428.0 INN, 4 DRS, 4.2 UZR/150).
Nos. 80-76
5 of 30
Alex CobbPatrick Smith/Getty Images
80. SP Alex Cobb (Age: 37)
Cobb underwent hip surgery last offseason, then suffered from shoulder inflammation early in the 2024 campaign. By the time he made his season debut on Aug. 9, he had been traded from the Giants to the Guardians. And after posting a 2.76 ERA in 16.1 innings during the regular season, he served as the team’s No. 3 starter in the playoffs. taking the ball in Game 3 of the ALDS and Game 1 of the ALCS.
79. OF Jason Heyward (Age: 35)
Heyward enjoyed a career renaissance with the Dodgers in 2023, and he was brought back on a one-year, $8 million deal last offseason. He was released in August and caught on with the Astros for the stretch run, posting a 112 OPS+ with four home runs in 61 plate appearances. His defense and locker room presence make him an ideal fourth outfielder target.
78. SP/RP Joe Ross (Age: 31)
Ross did not pitch in the majors in 2022 or 2023 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, and he signed a one-year, $1.75 million deal with the Brewers last offseason. He filled a swingman role on the staff, posting a 3.77 ERA in 74 innings spanning 10 starts and 15 relief appearances.
77. SP/RP Jakob Junis (Age: 32)
Junis posted a 2.69 ERA and 0.85 WHIP in 67 innings over six starts and 18 relief appearances with the Brewers and Reds, limiting opposing hitters to a .203 average with his signature slider-sinker combo. He can fill a variety of roles on a staff, from back-end starter to high-leverage reliever.
76. SP/RP Spencer Turnbull (Age: 32)
Turnbull started the 2024 season in the Phillies rotation in place of an injured Taijuan Walker, and he went 2-0 with a 1.67 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 32.1 innings over six starts before Walker returned and he was moved to the bullpen. He made 11 appearances in relief before suffering a lat strain on June 26 that sidelined him the rest of the season.
Nos. 75-71
6 of 30
Jorge PolancoMichael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images
75. 2B Jorge Polanco (Age: 31)
One of the best offensive second basemen in the league during his time with the Twins, Polanco hit .213/.296/.355 with 16 home runs and 45 RBI in 469 plate appearances with the Mariners in 2024. The M’s opted for a $750,000 buyout over a $12 million club option, and he represents one of the more appealing buy-low candidates on the market.
74. RP Adam Ottavino (Age: 38)
Ottavino ranks sixth among active pitchers with 728 career appearances, and he has seen plenty of action in the late innings with 46 saves and 196 holds during his 14-year career. He had a 4.34 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 11.3 K/9 with 15 holds in 60 appearances in 2024, and that marked the eighth time he has pitched in at least 60 games.
73. 1B/OF Mark Canha (Age: 35)
With an 11.0 percent walk rate and .344 on-base percentage, Canha continued to provide professional at-bats and solid on-base ability for the Tigers and Giants during the 2024 season. He can play first base and both corner outfield spots, and he is capable of being a low-cost everyday option on a rebuilding team or a part-time piece on a contender.
72. SP Martín Pérez (Age: 33)
After posting a 5.20 ERA and 1.65 WHIP in 83 innings with the Pirates to start the season, Pérez benefited greatly from a change of scenery at the deadline when he joined the Padres for the stretch run. He went 3-1 with a 3.46 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 44 strikeouts in 52 innings over 10 starts following the trade and represents an experienced back-of-the-rotation starter option who can outperform that role at times.
71. IF/OF Enrique Hernández (Age: 33)
Hernández returned to the Dodgers on a one-year, $4 million deal last offseason and was again one of baseball’s most productive utility players. He hit .229/.281/.373 with 16 doubles, 12 home runs and 42 RBI in 393 plate appearances, and added to his stellar postseason resume by hitting .294/.357/.451 with two home runs and six RBI in 14 games.
Nos. 70-66
7 of 30
Tommy KahnleDaniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images
70. SP Lance Lynn (Age: 37)
Lynn went 7-4 with a 3.84 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 109 strikeouts in 117.1 innings in his return to the Cardinals, and his $11 million club option for next year was declined as St. Louis looks to get younger. He had a 1.67 ERA in 27 innings over his final five starts before spending the final two weeks of the season on the injured list with knee inflammation.
69. C Danny Jansen (Age: 29)
After posting a 120 OPS+ and averaging 14 home runs, 42 RBI and 1.9 WAR during the three years prior to the 2024 season, Jansen picked a less-than-ideal time for a downturn in production. He hit .205/.309/.349 for an 87 OPS+ in 324 plate appearances with the Blue Jays and Red Sox, but his age, track record and the lack of catching depth in this free-agent class should still help him land a decent contract.
68. RP Tommy Kahnle (Age: 35)
Kahnle continues to miss bats with his signature changeup, throwing the pitch 73.1 percent of the time in 2024 and generating a 38.9 percent whiff rate. He posted a 2.11 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 9.7 K/9 in 50 appearances, and his 16 holds ranked second on the Yankees staff, giving him a high-leverage profile.
67. 1B Josh Bell (Age: 32)
An All-Star in 2019 and Silver Slugger winner in 2022, Bell is a capable run producer who provides limited value beyond what he does in the batter’s box. He hit .249/.319/.405 with 23 doubles, 19 home runs and 71 RBI in 2024, and he picked up his production after he was traded to the D-backs at the deadline, posting a 121 OPS+ with five home runs and 22 RBI in 41 games.
66. RP Paul Sewald (Age: 34)
Sewald was one of the better relievers in baseball during the three-year span prior to the 2024 season, posting a 2.95 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 12.2 K/9 with 65 saves in 192 appearances. He converted 16 of 20 save chances with a 4.31 ERA in 2024, and he was removed from the closer’s role at the end of July.
Nos. 65-61
8 of 30
Donovan SolanoBrian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
65. C Jacob Stallings (Age: 34)
A glove-first catcher who won NL Gold Glove honors in 2021 with the Pirates, Stallings had the best offensive season of his career with the Rockies in 2024. He hit .263/.357/.453 for a 118 OPS+ with 17 doubles, nine home runs and 36 RBI in 82 games, and he represents at least a viable platoon option with the potential to deliver good value on his contract.
64. IF Donovan Solano (Age: 36)
“Donnie Barrels” just keeps hitting, as he posted a .286/.343/.417 line and 112 OPS+ over 309 plate appearances with the Padres in 2024. He fits best at the infield corners or as a designated hitter at this point in his career, but he also has significant experience playing second base. He settled for a minor league deal last offseason, but he should be able to secure a MLB guarantee this time around.
63. SP José Quintana (Age: 35)
Slowed by injuries in 2023, Quintana made 31 starts for the Mets this past season, finishing 10-10 with a 3.75 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 135 strikeouts in 170.1 innings. He had a pristine 0.74 ERA in 36.1 innings over his final six starts of the regular season, and had strong starts in the NLWC (6.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER) and NLDS (5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 E, 0 ER) before getting knocked around in the NLCS (3.1 IP, 5 H, 5 ER).
62. SS/3B Paul DeJong (Age: 31)
An All-Star and 30-homer slugger at his peak with the Cardinals, DeJong put together a quietly resurgent season in 2024. He signed a one-year, $1.75 million deal with the White Sox last offseason, and he posted a 97 OPS+ with 17 doubles, 24 home runs and 56 RBI in 482 plate appearances. He joined the Royals at the trade deadline and saw regular action at third base in Kansas City.
61. OF Max Kepler (Age: 31)
Kepler has averaged 24 home runs, 77 RBI and 3.1 per 162 games over his 10-year career, though his production dipped in 2024. He had a career-low .388 slugging percentage and just eight home runs in 399 plate appearances, which is a far cry from his 36-homer peak in 2019. A laundry list of injuries led to him shutting things down at the beginning of September, so a return to full health could mean resurgent power.
Nos. 60-56
9 of 30
Andrew KittredgeEakin Howard/Getty Images
60. DH J.D. Martinez (Age: 37)
59. DH Andrew McCutchen (Age: 38)
58. DH Justin Turner (Age: 39)
These three established veterans represent DH-only players who are past their prime-level production but are still capable of driving in runs and providing quality at-bats and a positive clubhouse presence. Martinez (106 OPS+, 16 HR, 69 RBI) and McCutchen (105 OPS+, 20 HR, 50 RBI) both produced slightly above-average offensive numbers, while Turner (114 OPS+, 11 HR, 55 RBI) had a 130 OPS+ in 190 plate appearances with the Mariners after he was traded by the Blue Jays at the deadline.
57. RP A.J. Minter (Age: 31)
Southpaw relievers who can miss bats are always at a premium, and Minter fits the bill with 10.9 K/9 in 384 career appearances. He posted a 2.62 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 9.2 K/9 in 39 appearances in 2024, though he missed the final month and a half after undergoing hip surgery. He is expected to be ready for the start of spring training.
56. RP Andrew Kittredge (Age: 34)
A longtime staple in the Tampa Bay bullpen who was an All-Star in 2021, Kittredge joined the Cardinals last offseason and served as the primary setup man for All-Star closer Ryan Helsley. He finished with a 2.80 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 8.5 K/9 in 74 appearances, and his 37 holds led the team and ranked second in the majors.
Nos. 55-51
10 of 30
Randal GrichukChris Coduto/Getty Images
55. C Kyle Higashioka (Age: 34)
Acquired from the Yankees as a secondary piece in last winter’s Juan Soto blockbuster, Higashioka ended up turning in a career year with the Padres, posting a 101 OPS+ with 17 home runs, 45 RBI and 1.4 WAR in 84 games. He could reel in a multi-year deal as one of the few starter-caliber catchers on the market this winter.
54. SP Kyle Gibson (Age: 37)
Since his first full season in 2014, Gibson ranks third in the majors with 1,814.2 innings pitched, trailing only Max Scherzer (1,859.0) and Gerrit Cole (1836.2) during that 11-year span. That durability is his best bargaining chip, as he profiles best as a No. 4 starter after posting a 4.24 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 151 strikeouts in 169.2 innings in 2024.
53. OF Randal Grichuk (Age: 33)
Grichuk was used primarily as a short-side platoon option with the D-backs in 2024, wearing out left-handed pitching to the tune of a .319/.386/.528 line with 14 doubles and six home runs in 184 plate appearances. He can still handle an outfield corner, but he will continue to be best utilized in a platoon role.
52. RP Aroldis Chapman (Age: 36)
51. RP Kenley Jansen (Age: 37)
Two of the best closers of their era who are now on the downswing of their respective careers, Chapman (68 G, 14/19 SV, 3.79 ERA, 14.3 K/9) and Jansen (54 G, 27/31 SV, 3.29 ERA, 10.2 K/9) might need to choose between closing games for a non-contender or filling a setup role on a contending team this time around in free agency.
Nos. 50-46
11 of 30
Matthew BoydJason Miller/Getty Images
50. OF Harrison Bader (Age: 30)
One of the few players in this free-agent class who is an asset defensively in center field, Bader also provided some power (31 XBH, 12 HR) and speed (17 SB) for the Mets while playing on a one-year, $10.5 million deal. A similar contract and role could await him for the 2025 season.
49. C Travis d’Arnaud (Age: 35)
The Braves made the somewhat surprising decision to decline a $8 million club option on d’Arnaud, and he immediately became the top catcher in a thin market for backstops. He posted a 103 OPS+ with 16 doubles, 15 home runs and 48 RBI in 341 plate appearances, and is a solid pitch-framer and good leader of the pitching staff.
48. SP/RP Ryan Yarbrough (Age: 32)
A swingman during his time in Tampa Bay, Yarbrough pitched exclusively out of the bullpen for the Dodgers and Blue Jays in 2024. He finished with a 3.19 ERA and 1.04 WHIP while working in a multi-inning capacity, logging 98.2 innings in 44 appearances. He could fill a similar role next season, or plug in as a low-cost No. 4/5 starter.
47. OF Alex Verdugo (Age: 28)
The prospect centerpiece of the blockbuster deal that sent Mookie Betts from the Red Sox to the Dodgers, Verdugo had a 105 OPS+ and 8.2 WAR over four seasons in Boston before he was traded to the Yankees. He hit just .233/.281/.356 with 28 doubles, 13 home runs and 61 RBI in what will almost certainly be his lone season in pinstripes. His age and strong outfield defense—he was a Gold Glove finalist in left field—make him an appealing buy-low option, but his stock is way down.
46. SP Matthew Boyd (Age: 33)
Boyd has been a quality middle-of-the-rotation starter when healthy, and while he missed the bulk of 2024 recovering from Tommy John surgery, he returned to post a 2.72 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 46 strikeouts in 39.2 innings over eight starts. He then threw the ball extremely well in three playoff starts for the Guardians, allowing just six hits and one earned run in 11.2 innings of work.
Nos. 45-41
12 of 30
Trevor WilliamsScott Taetsch/Getty Images
45. SP Trevor Williams (Age: 32)
Williams went 5-0 with a 2.22 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 47 strikeouts in 56.2 innings over his first 11 starts for the rebuilding Nationals, and he was on track to be a hot commodity at the trade deadline before a flexor tendon strain cost him nearly four months. He returned in time to prove his health with two strong starts in September, and he could still be in line for a multi-year deal.
44. SP Charlie Morton (Age: 40)
It has long been assumed Morton would retire after the 2024 season, but he is now leaning toward pitching another year, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. He was a solid middle-of-the-rotation workhorse once again this year, going 8-10 with a 4.19 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 167 strikeouts in 165.1 innings while making at least 30 starts for the sixth consecutive full season.
43. SP Michael Lorenzen (Age: 32)
An All-Star with the Tigers in 2023, Lorenzen was one of the last dominoes to fall in free agency last winter, signing a one-year, $4.5 million deal with the Rangers on March 22. He was traded to the Royals at the deadline and finished with a 3.31 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 97 strikeouts in 130.1 innings over 24 starts and two relief appearances. His age and limited workload on his arm after starting his career as a reliever gives him untapped upside.
42. SP Justin Verlander (Age: 41)
41. SP Max Scherzer (Age: 40)
A pair of sure-fire future Hall of Famers who are clearly in decline, Verlander (17 GS, 5.48 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 90.1 IP) and Scherzer (9 GS, 3.95 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 43.1 IP) are both still capable of making an impact in a reduced role. After pitching on matching $43.3 million salaries in 2024, they will both need to accept a substantial pay-cut this winter.
Nos. 40-36
13 of 30
Frankie MontasJohn Fisher/Getty Images
40. 1B Carlos Santana (Age: 38)
With 1,789 hits, 324 home runs, 1,082 RBI and 38.0 WAR, Santana has quietly put together an excellent 15-year career in the big leagues, and he was still going strong in 2024 playing on a one-year, $5.25 million deal with the Twins. He hit .238/.328/.420 for a 109 OPS+ with 26 doubles, 23 home runs, 71 RBI and 2.5 WAR in 150 games.
39. IF Jose Iglesias (Age: 34)
Iglesias is one of the best contact hitters in baseball, and he found plenty of holes after taking over as the Mets’ everyday second baseman. He hit .337/.381/.448 for a 137 OPS+ with 21 extra-base hits in 291 plate appearances, and he also went 10-for-44 in the postseason. He likely won’t have to settle for a minor league deal this time around, though a utility role still makes sense with the ability to step into bigger playing time as needed.
38. SP Frankie Montas (Age: 31)
Montas signed a one-year, $16 million deal with the Reds last offseason, and he might have to settle for a high-AAV, short-term contract once again after an up-and-down 2024 season. He went 7-11 with a 4.84 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 148 strikeouts in 150.2 innings, but he threw the ball well enough down the stretch after joining the Brewers at the deadline to warrant another solid payday.
37. OF Jesse Winker (Age: 31)
Winker played his way onto the Nationals roster as a minor league invitee to spring training, and he played his way to being a valuable trade chip at the deadline when he was shipped to the Mets. All told, he hit .253/.360/.405 for a 118 OPS+ with 23 doubles, 14 home runs, 58 RBI and 14 steals in 145 games, and that’s enough to make him one of the better second-tier bats on the market this winter.
36. RP David Robertson (Age: 39)
Arguably the best setup reliever in MLB history, Robertson will be entering his 17th season in 2025, and he ranks second among all active pitchers with 861 career appearances. He posted a 3.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 12.4 K/9 in 68 appearances with the Rangers in 2024, tallying 34 holds as the primary eighth inning bridge to closer Kirby Yates while proving he still has plenty left in the tank.
Nos. 35-31
14 of 30
Michael ConfortoNorm Hall/Getty Images
35. 1B Anthony Rizzo (Age: 35)
Rizzo has failed to reach 100 games played in back-to-back seasons, and he played through two fractured fingers in the World Series, so it’s fair to wonder how big of an impact he is capable of making going forward. He has an 88 OPS+ with 20 home runs and 76 RBI in 796 plate appearances the last two seasons, but that was preceded by a 2022 campaign where he logged a 130 OPS+ and 32 home runs.
34. SP Andrew Heaney (Age: 33)
One of the few reliable options in a banged-up Rangers rotation, Heaney posted a 4.28 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 159 strikeouts in 160 innings while making 30 starts for just the second time in his 11-year career. His standout performance during the Rangers’ playoff run in 2023 is still fresh in the minds of other teams.
33. SP Nick Pivetta (Age: 31)
Pivetta has never quite put it all together as a frontline starter, but he continued to miss plenty of bats in 2024, posting a 4.14 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 172 strikeouts in 145.2 innings. His 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings over the past four seasons rank 10th among all pitchers with at least 500 innings of work during that span.
32. SP Luis Severino (Age: 30)
After scuffling to a 6.65 ERA in 89.1 innings with the Yankees in 2023, Severino turned the page with a one-year, $13 million deal from the Mets in free agency. He went 11-7 with a 3.91 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 161 strikeouts in 182 innings, making good on that prove-it deal to put himself in position for a multi-year pact this time around.
31. OF Michael Conforto (Age: 31)
Conforto signed a two-year, $36 million deal with the Giants after missing the 2022 campaign recovering from shoulder surgery. After a middling first season in San Francisco, he bounced back to post a 116 OPS+ with 27 doubles, 20 home runs and 66 RBI in 130 games in 2024. He might not find the same $18 million AAV of his last contract, but he is capable of providing some good value as a second-tier bat.
Nos. 30-26
15 of 30
Shane BieberLachlan Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images
30. SP Walker Buehler (Age: 30)
After missing the 2023 season recovering from the second Tommy John surgery of his career, Buehler returned with a 5.38 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 75.1 innings this season. With injuries up and down the rotation, he was still the team’s best option for the No. 3 starter spot in the postseason, and he posted zeroes in Game 3 of the NLCS (4.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER) and Game 3 of the World Series (5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER) before striking out two in a 1-2-3 ninth inning to pick up the save in Game 5.
29. SP/RP Nick Martinez (Age: 34)
One of the most underrated players on this year’s market, Martinez was a 4.0-WAR player in 2024 as he finished 10-7 with a 3.10 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 116 strikeouts in 142.1 innings over 16 starts and 26 relief appearances. His ability and willingness to fill a variety of roles on the pitching staff further adds to his appeal beyond his excellent numbers.
28. RP Clay Holmes (Age: 31)
Despite leading the majors with 13 blown saves, Holmes still profiles as one of the better relievers on the market this winter. He tallied 30 saves while posting a 3.14 ERA and 9.7 K/9 in 67 games while earning his second All-Star selection in the last three years. The sinkerballer posted a 2.25 ERA with three wins and five holds in 13 appearances during the postseason while serving as one of the top setup options for Luke Weaver.
27. SP Shane Bieber (Age: 29)
After showing diminished velocity in 2023, Bieber lit up radar guns during spring training and then tossed 12 scoreless innings with a 20-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his first two starts. His resurgence came to an abrupt end when he was sidelined with Tommy John surgery, and he will miss the start of the 2025 season. The back-loaded, two-year, $22 million deal that Tyler Mahle signed with the Rangers last offseason serves as a good framework for his next contract.
26. DH Joc Pederson (Age: 32)
Pederson thrived as a platoon DH for the D-backs, posting a 151 OPS+ with 17 doubles, 23 home runs and 64 RBI in 449 plate appearances. He went 7-for-32 with 18 strikeouts against left-handed pitching, so he will likely need to continue to serve in a strict platoon role, but he is a legitimate middle-of-the-order bat with a righty on the mound.
Nos. 25-21
16 of 30
Gleyber TorresAlex Slitz/Getty Images
25. RP Blake Treinen (Age: 36)
Treinen was electric for the Dodgers in the postseason, pitching to a 2.19 ERA in nine high-leverage appearances while recording two wins, three saves and two holds. He had a 1.93 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 10.8 K/9 with 16 holds in 50 appearances during the regular season, showing no signs of rust after missing the 2023 season recovering from shoulder labrum and rotator cuff repair surgery.
24. RP Kirby Yates (Age: 37)
Yates was virtually untouchable pitching on a one-year, $4.5 million deal with the Rangers, earning his first All-Star selection since 2019. He posted a 1.17 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 12.4 K/9 while converting 33 of 34 save opportunities in a 3.3-WAR season, and while his age will limit the length of his next deal, he is in line for a significant raise.
23. 1B Paul Goldschmidt (Age: 37)
Goldschmidt failed to post a 100 OPS+ for the first time in his career in 2024, hitting .245/.302/.414 for a 98 OPS+ with 33 doubles, 22 home runs and 65 RBI in 154 games in the final season of a five-year, $130 million deal with the Cardinals. Strong batted-ball metrics, including a hard-hit rate that ranked in the 92nd percentile, provide some optimism that he could turn in a bounce-back season in 2025.
22. SP Yusei Kikuchi (Age: 33)
The Astros paid a steep price to acquire Kikuchi from the Blue Jays at the deadline, and he rewarded them by going 5-1 with a 2.70 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 76 strikeouts in 60 innings over 10 starts following the trade. All told, he posted a 4.05 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and a career-high 206 strikeouts in 175.2 innings.
21. 2B Gleyber Torres (Age: 27)
Just entering the prime of his career, Torres has never replicated the 38-homer, 90-RBI season he put together in 2019, but he has settled in as a consistent producer at second base. He hit .257/.330/.378 for a 101 OPS+ with 26 doubles, 15 home runs and 63 RBI in 154 games, and he thrived after moving into the leadoff spot in the batting order over the final two months.
Nos. 20-16
17 of 30
Tomoyuki SuganoAlex Trautwig/WBCI/MLB via Getty Images
20. RP Jeff Hoffman (Age: 31)
The No. 9 overall pick in the 2014 draft and the prospect centerpiece of the deal that sent Troy Tulowitzki from Colorado to Toronto at the 2015 deadline, Hoffman never panned out as a starter, but he has developed into a lights-out reliever. He was an All-Star in 2024 when he posted a 2.17 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 12.1 K/9 with 10 saves and 21 holds in 68 appearances out of the Phillies bullpen.
19. RP Carlos Estévez (Age: 31)
After six seasons showing good stuff with mixed results out of the Rockies bullpen, Estévez signed a two-year, $13.5 million deal with the Angels prior to the 2023 season. He saved 31 games and earned an All-Star selection in his first year with the team, and he had an even better 2024 campaign with a 2.45 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 26 saves in 31 chances with the Angels and Phillies.
18. RP Tanner Scott (Age: 30)
The best lefty reliever in baseball during the 2024 season, Scott posted a 1.75 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 10.5 K/9 with 22 saves and 11 holds in 72 appearances with the Marlins and Padres while earning his first All-Star selection. With an electric fastball-slider combination, he is capable of serving as a closer on a contending team, though he also has plenty of experience in a setup role.
17. SP Tomoyuki Sugano (Age: 35)
While there are a handful of speculative international posting candidates, Sugano is a lock to make his way stateside this offseason, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. Over 12 seasons in the Japanese League, he has gone 136-75 with a 2.45 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 1,596 strikeouts in 1,873.1 innings. He won the Eiji Sawamura Award in 2017 and 2018 as Japan’s top pitcher, and even at this stage in his career, he can still be a solid rotation piece after going 15-3 with a 1.67 ERA in 156.2 innings for the Yomiuri Giants in 2024.
16. SP Nathan Eovaldi (Age: 34)
Eovaldi went 24-13 with a 3.72 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 298 strikeouts in 314.2 innings over the course of his two-year, $34 million deal with the Rangers, and he declined a $20 million player option to become a free agent. He might not top that in terms of his 2025 salary, but he should be able to secure more overall money as a durable, proven veteran starter who would be a welcome addition to any starting staff.
Nos. 15-11
18 of 30
Jurickson ProfarKatelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images
15. OF Tyler O’Neill (Age: 29)
O’Neill is not far removed from a 6.1-WAR season in 2021 when he posted a 148 OPS+ with 34 home runs and won a Gold Glove. He has had a tough time staying healthy in the years since, but made the most of his time on the field in 2024, logging a 132 OPS+ with 18 doubles, 31 home runs and 61 RBI in 473 plate appearances. His 30-homer power, solid glove and age make him an attractive option for a long-term deal.
14. 1B Christian Walker (Age: 33)
Over the past three seasons, only Freddie Freeman (17.4), Matt Olson (14.6), Paul Goldschmidt (12.3) and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (12.2) have produced more WAR among first basemen than Walker, who racked up 11.4 WAR during that span. He logged a 121 OPS+ with 26 home runs and 84 RBI in 130 games in 2024, while also winning his third straight NL Gold Glove.
13. OF Jurickson Profar (Age: 31)
Profar had a career year in 2024 while playing on a one-year, $1 million deal with the Padres. Once the No. 1 prospect in all of baseball during his time in the Rangers farm system, he hit .280/.380/.459 with 29 doubles, 24 home runs, 85 RBI and 3.6 WAR while earning a starting nod on the All-Star Game. He has enjoyed so much more success in a Padres uniform than anywhere else, he might be inclined to give them a discount to return.
12. IF Ha-Seong Kim (Age: 29)
Kim tallied 15.3 WAR over the course of his four-year, $28 million deal with the Padres after making the jump from the KBO, and his mix of power, speed and elite defensive versatility make him a potential fit on a long list of teams. He has seen significant action at second base, shortstop and third base, and he won a Gold Glove during a 5.8-WAR season in 2023 before battling injuries this year.
11. SP Sean Manaea (Age: 32)
Manaea went 12-6 with a 3.47 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 184 strikeouts in 181.2 innings, and he finished the regular season on a roll. He had nine quality starts in 14 outings after the All-Star break, and he threw the ball well in three of his four playoff starts, including seven innings of three-hit, one-run ball in Game 3 of the NLDS against the Phillies. He declined a $13.5 million player option, and should have no trouble exceeding that AAV on a multi-year deal.
10. SP Jack Flaherty
19 of 30
Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Age: 29
Stats: 28 GS, 13-7, 3.17 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 38 BB, 194 K, 162.0 IP, 3.1 WAR
How much will a shaky postseason impact Jack Flaherty’s market?
After years of battling injury and then command issues in 2023, he signed a one-year, $14 million deal with the Detroit Tigers last winter hoping to rebuild his stock, and he did just that with a stellar regular season.
Traded to the Dodgers at the deadline, he found himself in the role of de facto staff ace for the playoffs amid a series of injuries. He threw a gem in Game 1 of the NLCS (7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER) but struggled overall in his five starts, finishing with a 7.36 ERA in 22 innings of work.
The fact that he is one of the youngest pitchers on the market works in his favor, as do his terrific regular-season numbers, but teams might be just a bit more hesitant to offer him top dollar after his less-than-stellar October.
9. OF Anthony Santander
20 of 30
Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
Age: 30
Stats: 134 OPS+, .235/.308/.506, 71 XBH (44 HR), 102 RBI, 2 SB, 2.9 WAR
One of the most successful Rule 5 picks in MLB history, slugger Anthony Santander slugged 154 home runs over the past six seasons, including a career-high 44 long balls during the 2024 season.
He was one of only 25 players across baseball to hit at least 150 home runs during that six-year stretch.
It has to be mentioned that he has limited on-base ability and is a below average defender (-7 DRS, 1.6 UZR/150) in the outfield, but he has the impact potential to be a game-changing addition in the middle of a team’s lineup.
8. OF Teoscar Hernández
21 of 30
Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
Age: 32
Stats: 137 OPS+, .272/.339/.501, 67 XBH (33 HR), 99 RBI, 12 SB, 4.3 WAR
The Los Angeles Dodgers scooped up Teoscar Hernández on a one-year, $23.5 million deal following a good-not-great season with the Seattle Mariners in 2023, and he should find a much more robust market this winter.
Aside from his impressive power numbers, he also made significant improvements to his walk rate (5.6 to 8.1 percent) and strikeout rate (31.1 to 28.8 percent) en route to a 137 OPS+ that was his highest over a full season.
He also has a terrific throwing arm, and his 65 outfield assists rank ninth among all active outfielders.
7. 1B Pete Alonso
22 of 30
Chris Coduto/Getty Images
Age: 29
Stats: 123 OPS+, .240/.329/.459, 65 XBH (34 HR), 88 RBI, 3 SB, 2.6 WAR
One of baseball’s most prolific sluggers since he burst onto the scene with a rookie record 53 long balls in 2019, Pete Alonso is now set to hit the open market for the first time in his career.
He reportedly turned down a seven-year, $158 million extension offer in June 2023, so that gives an idea of the type of deal he is looking for, and there is a case to be made that he is more valuable to the Mets than he is to any other team.
After launching four home runs during the 2024 postseason, including the decisive three-run blast against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 of the Wild Card Series, it’s hard to envision him playing anywhere else.
6. 3B Alex Bregman
23 of 30
G Fiume/Getty Images
Age: 30
Stats: 118 OPS+, .260/.315/.453, 58 XBH (26 HR), 75 RBI, 3 SB, 4.1 WAR
Between his initial pre-arbitration club control and a five-year, $100 million extension he signed after finishing runner-up in 2019 AL MVP voting, the Houston Astros are the only team Alex Bregman has ever known.
They selected him No. 2 overall in the 2015 draft, and he was a key contributor to a pair of World Series champions, posting a .789 OPS with 19 home runs and 54 RBI in 99 career playoff games.
He has never quite matched the 41-homer, 112-RBI, 162-OPS+ season he put together in 2019, but he has consistently been one of the best all-around players at his position, providing a valuable mix of power, run production, on-base ability and defense.
5. SP Max Fried
24 of 30
Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
Age: 30
Stats: 29 GS, 11-10, 3.25 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 57 BB, 166 K, 174.1 IP, 3.5 WAR
Since his first full season in the Atlanta Braves rotation in 2019, left-hander Max Fried has been one of the most valuable pitchers in baseball.
Here’s a quick look at the WAR leaders among pitchers during the last six seasons:
1. Zack Wheeler: 28.7
2. Gerrit Cole: 26.5
3. Max Scherzer: 22.3
4. Max Fried: 22.2
5. Aaron Nola: 19.9
There are a few blemishes on his profile, including a forearm strain in 2023 and a series of playoff duds in 2022 (3.1 IP, 8 H, 4 ER), 2023 (4.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER) and 2024 (2.0 IP, 8 H, 5 ER), but he still ranks as one of the unquestioned top-tier arms of this free-agent class.
4. SP Blake Snell
25 of 30
Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images
Age: 31
Stats: 20 GS, 5-3, 3.12 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 44 BB, 145 K, 104.0 IP, 2.1 WAR
It took some time for 2023 NL Cy Young winner Blake Snell to hit his stride in 2024, as he made a pair of trips to the injured list and struggled to a 9.51 ERA in the six starts he did make over the first three months of the season.
However, from the time he was activated on July 9 through the end of the season, he was every bit the ace-caliber starter he was expected to be.
Over his final 14 starts, Snell went 5-0 with a 1.23 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 114 strikeouts in 80.1 innings. limiting opposing hitters to a .123 average during that span.
That performance made opting out of the second year of his contract a no-brainer as he searched for the long-term deal he failed to land a year ago.
3. SS Willy Adames
26 of 30
- Willy Adames
- Yordan Alvarez
- Mookie Betts
- Matt Chapman
- Rafael Devers
- Freddie Freeman
- Aaron Judge
- Francisco Lindor
- Shohei Ohtani
- Matt Olson
- Jose Ramirez
- J.T. Realmuto
- Corey Seager
- Marcus Semien
- Will Smith
- Juan Soto
- Kyle Tucker
- Trea Turner
Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Age: 29
Stats: 118 OPS+, .251/.331/.462, 65 XBH (32 HR), 112 RBI, 21 SB, 3.1 WAR
Only 18 different position players have recorded at least 3.0 WAR in each of the past four seasons, and Willy Adames is part of that exclusive list:
He is far and away the best shortstop on the market this winter, a well-rounded two-way player who also makes an impact with his glove, still in the prime of his career and even added speed to his repertoire in 2024 with a career-high 21 steals.
2. SP Corbin Burnes
27 of 30
G Fiume/Getty Images
Age: 30
Stats: 32 GS, 15-9, 2.92 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 48 BB, 181 K, 194.1 IP, 3.4 WAR
The Baltimore Orioles acquired Corbin Burnes to fill a glaring void atop their starting rotation, and he was every bit the staff ace he was expected to be in his first season pitching for someone other than the Milwaukee Brewers.
Now the 2021 NL Cy Young winner is set to hit the open market for the first time in his career, and he ranks as the top available starting pitcher thanks to his consistency and durability as a frontline option.
The $36 million AAV of Gerrit Cole’s deal with the New York Yankees will likely be a target number over a long-term deal, and he would immediately transform any team’s starting rotation.
1. OF Juan Soto
28 of 30
Cole Burston/Getty Images
Age: 26
Stats: 178 OPS+, .288/.419/.569, 76 XBH (41 HR), 109 RBI, 7 SB, 7.9 WAR
At 26 years old and on a Hall of Fame trajectory, Juan Soto is the best outfielder to reach free agency since Barry Bonds went from the Pittsburgh Pirates to the San Francisco Giants prior to the 1993 season.
His elite on-base ability gives him an offensive profile that should age better than the prototypical power-driven slugger, though he is also coming off a season in which he launched a career-high 41 home runs after joining the Yankees in an offseason blockbuster.
It might take $600 million to get him signed this winter, but he is the type of player who can completely change the short- and long-term outlook of a franchise.
He is a transcendent free agent in every sense of the word.
2024-25 All-Free Agency Team
29 of 30
Gleyber Torres and Juan SotoMike Stobe/Getty Images
Starting Lineup
C Travis d’Arnaud
1B Pete Alonso
2B Gleyber Torres
SS Willy Adames
3B Alex Bregman
OF Juan Soto
OF Teoscar Hernández
OF Anthony Santander
DH Joc Pederson
Bench
C Kyle Higashioka
1B Christian Walker
IF Ha-Seong Kim
OF Jurickson Profar
Starting Rotation
RHP Corbin Burnes
LHP Blake Snell
LHP Max Fried
RHP Jack Flaherty
LHP Sean Manaea
Bullpen
LHP Ryan Yarbrough
RHP David Robertson
RHP Clay Holmes
RHP Jeff Hoffman
RHP Blake Treinen
RHP Carlos Estévez
LHP Tanner Scott
RHP Kirby Yates
Top 50 Free Agents List
30 of 30
Blake SnellSarah Stier/Getty Images
Top 50 Free Agents List
1. OF Juan Soto
2. SP Corbin Burnes
3. SS Willy Adames
4. LHP Blake Snell
5. LHP Max Fried
6. 3B Alex Bregman
7. 1B Pete Alonso
8. OF Teoscar Hernández
9. OF Anthony Santander
10. SP Jack Flaherty
11. SP Sean Manaea
12. IF Ha-Seong Kim
13. OF Jurickson Profar
14. 1B Christian Walker
15. OF Tyler O’Neill
16. SP Nathan Eovaldi
17. SP Tomoyuki Sugano
18. RP Tanner Scott
19. RP Carlos Estévez
20. RP Jeff Hoffman
21. 2B Gleyber Torres
22. SP Yusei Kikuchi
23. 1B Paul Goldschmidt
24. RP Kirby Yates
25. RP Blake Treinen
26. DH Joc Pederson
27. SP Shane Bieber
28. RP Clay Holmes
29. SP/RP Nick Martinez
30. SP Walker Buehler
31. OF Michael Conforto
32. SP Luis Severino
33. SP Nick Pivetta
34. SP Andrew Heaney
35. 1B Anthony Rizzo
36. RP David Robertson
37. OF Jesse Winker
38. SP Frankie Montas
39. IF Jose Iglesias
40. 1B Carlos Santana
41. SP Max Scherzer
42. SP Justin Verlander
43. SP Michael Lorenzen
44. SP Charlie Morton
45. SP Trevor Williams
46. SP Matthew Boyd
47. OF Alex Verdugo
48. SP/RP Ryan Yarbrough
49. C Travis d’Arnaud
50. OF Harrison Bader