The MLB offseason has been entertaining thus far, but there are still big names in free agency. Here are World Baseball Network’s predictions for some of the stars remaining on the market.
Prediction: New York Mets
Cody Bellinger is an outstanding defender in the outfield and is versatile enough to play first base as well. He was solid against left-handed and right-handed pitching last season. He hit 29 home runs, which is the most since his MVP season in 2019. The Yankees reportedly want him back, but the Mets may be willing to outbid their crosstown rivals. The Mets traded away Brandon Nimmo and need help in the outfield and at first base. Bellinger would be a perfect fit, and the Yankees could make Jasson Dominguez an everyday player while also having room for Spencer Jones.
2. Kyle Tucker
Prediction: Toronto Blue Jays
Tucker is the best free agent still on the open market and has reportedly already visited the Blue Jays’ facility in Florida. He is a four-time All-Star, but did not have his best season this year. However, his home and away splits indicate that a change of scenery could get him back to being one of the best players in baseball. He had a .923 OPS on the road, but a .747 OPS at home. The Blue Jays have been very aggressive this winter, and that trend could continue with Tucker.
3. Bo Bichette
Prediction: New York Yankees
Anthony Volpe has not been great as the Yankees’ starting shortstop, and last season, his defense took a dive. He played through a shoulder injury, but he has not proven to be a productive hitter so far in his career. Bichette is one of the best hitters in baseball, and the Yankees could shuffle their infield to get him at second base, where his subpar defense may not be as big an issue. Additionally, there are rumors about the Yankees either trading Jazz Chisholm Jr. or letting him walk next offseason. Bichette could be a long-term addition to make the infield stable.
Prediction: New York Mets
The Mets have not made the big splashes many fans expected them to, but there is still time. Murakami is an option at both first and third base. The Mets could slot him in as the everyday first baseman after losing Pete Alonso. He had great power numbers in Nippon Professional Baseball, and the Mets need a way to replace Alonso’s production.
5. Tatsuya Imai
Prediction: Chicago Cubs
Imai had a 1.92 ERA in 163 2/3 innings of work last season. He would be a great addition for the Cubs, joining Shota Imanaga, Cade Horton and Matthew Boyd in the rotation. With Justin Steele injured, the Cubs need pitching to help win the National League Central, and Imai is a long-term option. He keeps them stable in case they lose Imanaga in free agency next winter.
The Cubs and the Yankees are “expected to be finalists” to sign Tatsuya Imai, per @francysromeroFR. pic.twitter.com/nvXzqCjgea
— Cubs Zone (@CubsZone) December 17, 2025
6. Alex Bregman
Prediction: Boston Red Sox
Bregman is reportedly the Red Sox’s top priority right now, and Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow has spoken highly of him as a leader and player. The Red Sox make the most sense for Bregman, and Bregman has already welcomed the idea of staying in Boston. He would be a great player to keep around as Boston looks to make a deeper run in the postseason next year.
Prediction: New York Mets
After not retaining Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz, the Mets seem poised to go on a spending spree in the second wave of free agency. Their biggest needs are in the outfield, at first base and in the starting rotation. We have already predicted them to sign Bellinger and Murakami, and adding Valdez gives them a legitimate ace, which they currently lack. David Stearns seems against the idea of giving lucrative, long-term deals to pitchers, but given the current state of the Mets’ rotation, he may need to make a big move.
Prediction: Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks are reportedly interested in signing Alex Bregman, and if they are showing interest in third basemen, Okamoto is an option if Arizona fails to sign Bregman. He has 248 career home runs in Japan and would be a solid addition to the Diamondbacks. He has spent most of his career at third base, and with rumors of the Diamondbacks looking to trade Ketel Marte, adding infield help makes sense.
The trio of top free agents coming from Japan are approaching their deadlines to sign:
Munetaka Murakami: December 22nd
Tatsuya Imai: January 2nd
Kazuma Okamoto: January 4th pic.twitter.com/VSRXpppIkp— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) December 17, 2025
WBN MLB: https://worldbaseball.com/league/mlb/
Photo: Japan’s Munetaka Murakami, center, celebrate his home run with Hirokazu Ibata during the gold medal baseball game against the United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
