With free agency beginning on Tuesday, our writers once again came together to discuss where this offseason’s top targets will end up. Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know about the top 10 free agents.
Yankees: 7 votes
Mets: 2 votes
The widely held expectation is that the battle over Juan Soto will be waged in New York, and that is reflected in our writer’s prediction. Although all eight votes were for the Yankees or the Mets, most of our writers ultimately believe that Soto will choose to stay with the American League Champions.
“I really don’t see a better offer from the Mets,” one writer said. “Yes, Cohen is going to try and give him the most, but I believe his heart belongs in the Bronx and wants to finish what he started there.”
The sleeping giant in these negotiations is Mets owner Steve Cohen. The billionaire has shown there are no limits to what he will do to build a winner, and two of our writers believe that his deep pockets will win out in the end.
“It will be simply too much money to turn down,” they said.
Mets: 4 votes
Red Sox: 2 votes
Dodgers: 1 vote
Orioles: 1 vote
Giants: 1 vote
Though the Mets are underdogs to land Soto, our writers still think they are in line to land at least one big fish. With Luis Severino and Jose Quintana heading to free agency and Kodai Senga coming off an injury-plagued season, the NL runners-up need a frontline starter, and reuniting Corbin Burnes with former Brewer GM David Stearns seems like a match made in heaven.
Another team desperate for an ace is the Boston Red Sox. They have not signed a big-name starting pitcher since David Price in 2016, but with an emerging young core and cash to burn, this could be the offseason when they step on the gas.
“That fan base needs something to be excited about,” one writer said.
Of course, the Baltimore Orioles are not going to let their ace depart to a division rival without a fight. Like the Red Sox, they have a deep collection of emerging hitters but question marks in the starting rotation. With new owner David Rubenstein entering the fold, they may finally be able to compete with the big-market teams.
“They’re building a young core and can start paying pitching, which has been a weakness of theirs,” one writer said.
One team that has not been afraid of making a marquee free-agent acquisition is the Los Angeles Dodgers. A year after signing Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a $325 million free-agent deal, one writer believes they will spend big in free agency again.
“Dodgers biggest need besides shortstop is in the rotation, “they said. “They’ll be getting healthy, but Burnes is the type of player who can carry a rotation.”
Finally, one writer chose the San Fransisco Giants as an ideal destination for Burnes, pointing to their pitcher-friendly ballpark and willingness to be aggressive under new President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey.
Dodgers: 5 votes
Giants: 3 votes
Braves: 1 vote
While the battle for Juan Soto will be waged in New York, most of our writers believe the Willy Adames sweepstakes will be between two longtime NL West rivals. The defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers got the most votes, as, despite their deep and versatile roster, they have needed a shortstop since the free-agent departure of Trea Turner.
“I can see the Dodgers locking up someone who could play shortstop for the long run, with no infield prospects in developments besides Alex Freeland,” one writer said.
As with many of the free agents on this list, several of our writers expect the Giants to be strongly in the mix to add Adames to what was a mediocre offense in 2024.
“Adames to the Dodgers seems like the easy answer, but the Giants could look to make a splash at the start of a new era,” one writer said. “Adames is the best shortstop available coming off of a career year. The Giants will ink him to a long-term deal and secure the shortstop position for years to come.”
Only one vote went to someone other than the Giants and Dodgers, as one writer picked Adames to go to the Atlanta Braves and replace the declining Orlando Arcia.
Red Sox: 2 votes
Orioles: 2 votes
Braves: 2 vote
Giants: 1 vote
Angels: 1 vote
Dodgers: 1 vote
Though Max Fried may not be quite as dominant as Burnes, our writers expect that many of the same teams bidding on Burnes’ services will also be in on the Braves left-hander. That includes the Red Sox and Orioles, who could both pivot to Fried if they miss out on Burnes.
“Baltimore is a potential suitor due to their desire to contend for a championship and possibly losing Corbin Burnes,” one writer said
Though the Giants have swung and missed on several free agents in the past, one writer believes that geography could make a big difference in the Fried sweepstakes.
“Fried is most likely going home to California, and the Giants have shown their willingness to spend on good starting pitching,” one writer said.
The Dodgers and Braves also received votes, as both had their rotations decimated by injuries in 2024. The most interesting selection on this list is the Los Angeles Angels, who are coming off a 99-loss season and haven’t made the playoffs since 2014. Still, this is a club that has spent heavily in the past, and owner Arte Moreno has committed to increasing payroll this offseason.
Astros: 4 votes
Tigers: 2 votes
Blue Jays: 1 vote
Royals: 1 vote
Mariners: 1 vote
Though the Houston Astros failed to re-sign past free agents like George Springer, Carlos Correa, and Gerrit Cole, four of our writers believe they will reverse the trend with their longtime third baseman.
“Bregman has become a legacy player in Houston and is a clubhouse leader,” said one writer, “Plus, his play has dropped, making him less ideal for other teams.”
Two other writers predicted Bregman to have a reunion of a different sort: With former manager A.J. Hinch and the surging Detroit Tigers. Besides his World Series experience, Bregman could slot in right between lefties Riley Greene and Kerry Carpenter and added some much-needed right-handed thump to the Tigers lineup.
Another young team that could use Bregman’s leadership is the Kansas City Royals. Though their elite defense and pitching were able to carry them to the playoffs, it was evident in their ALDS loss to the Yankees that they needed more offensive help.
Speaking of offensive help, the Seattle Mariners desperately need it after finishing 21st in the majors in runs and 29th in batting average. Third base was just one of many black holes in the lineups, as Josh Rojas received the most at-bats at the position but posted just a .641 OPS.
“I can see Bregman heading to Seattle and locking up their hot corner,” said one writer.
The final vote went to the Toronto Blue Jays, who took a huge step back in 2024 after two consecutive postseason finishes. Adding Bregman would help fill the hole on both sides of the ball created when Matt Chapman signed with the Giants.
Mets: 3 votes
Yankees: 2 votes
Orioles: 1 vote
Dodgers: 1 vote
Giants: 1 vote
Red Sox: 1 vote
Another free agent, another New York battle. Most writers believe Snell will either end up with the Yankees or the Mets, with the Mets getting the slightest of edges to their aforementioned need for a true frontline starter. As an indication of just how confident our writers are in Cohen spending big money this offseason, one writer even picked the Mets to sign BOTH Snell and Burnes.
The fact that the Yankees received two votes is much more surprising. Snell was the only starter on this list selected to go to the Yankees, as they seemingly already have a full rotation. One writer identified the club’s reported interest in Snell last offseason as a reason they will target him again.
“They came very close (to signing him) last season, and it could be a splash move if the Yankees do not resign Juan Soto.
The rest of the list is rounded out by singular votes for the Orioles, Dodgers, Giants, and Red Sox, four teams that our writers are certain will be in on almost every starting pitcher.
“The Red Sox need an ace, and if they don’t retain Nick Pivetta, I truly believe Snell is their guy,” one writer said.
Dodgers: 4 votes
Red Sox: 2 votes
Tigers: 2 votes
Mets: 1 vote
Most of our writers expect Jack Flaherty to reunite with either of the two teams he pitched for this season. Ultimately, the prevailing thought is that Flaherty was too valuable to the Dodgers’ postseason efforts for them to let him go.
“Fresh off a World Series, Jack Flaherty has earned a spot in that rotation that was unhealthy and will stay in LA,” one writer said.
Before Flaherty was the Dodgers World Series Game One starter, he had re-established himself as a frontline starting pitcher in Detroit. Even more surprising than Flaherty’s resurgence is what the Tigers did after they moved him at the deadline, using a historic September run to sneak into the playoffs. Two of our writers believe the Tigers will make up for their mistake this offseason.
“He certainly proved that he can pitch in the postseason, and the Tigers definitely regretted not holding onto him after their postseason run,” one writer said.
Rounding out the list are two more votes for the Red Sox and yet another pick for the Mets to spend big in free agency.
“When the Mets miss on Soto, they’ll likely go on a shopping spree,” one writer said. “Alonso will be the first piece. After that, I expect them to target pitching, and Flaherty may not have a front-end spot in the rotation in LA. The Mets could lose Manaea, and Flaherty could be a solid replacement.”
Blue Jays: 2 votes
Mets: 2 votes
Orioles: 1 vote
Tigers: 1 vote
Giants: 1 vote
If there is one takeaway from this list, it’s that our writers expect the Mets to go all-out in free agency. Six of the nine writers picked the Mets to sign at least two of the top ten free agents, with one writer going so far as to say that they will make three big splashes to make up for missing out on Soto.
“I just don’t see the Mets getting a deal done for Soto, moving them into the bidding for Santander,” they said.
The Blue Jays were the other team to receive multiple votes, a reflection of how much their offense needs support around Vladimir Guerrero Jr. One writer picked Santander to re-sign with the Orioles. In contrast, the Tigers and Giants each received a vote to add the 40 home-run hitter to their lineup.
“The Tigers will likely shy away from huge signings, but adding Santander could allow them some flexibility with Matt Vierling,” one writer said. “Santander could be a key piece of their lineup in 2025.”
Dodgers: 5 votes
Orioles: 1 vote
Reds: 1 vote
Nationals: 1 vote
Between Flaherty and Teoscar Hernandez, our writers overwhelmingly believe the Dodgers will retain their biggest free-agent contributors to their postseason run. Hernandez signed a one-year deal before the 2024 season, and he proved worth the investment with 33 regular season home runs and four more in the postseason.
“He had a stellar season, and there’s no reason to let him go,” one writer said simply.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Reds and the Nationals each received one vote despite losing seasons. Both teams have a young core of position players and could use a veteran power-hitter like Hernandez to slot into the middle of the order.
“The Nationals are a young, talented team. They could use some right-handed power, and he can fill a need defensively as well,” one writer said.
Finally, one writer believed that Hernandez could be a possible replacement for the Orioles should Anthony Santander depart in free agency.
Mets: 5 votes
Guardians: 1 vote
Yankees: 1 vote
Giants: 1 vote
Mariners: 1 vote
Though the Mets are expected to be active on the starting pitcher free-agent market, they also have to make a decision on their longtime first baseman. Though Alonso is coming off the worst season of his career, and the Mets have several other priorities, the majority of writers believe he will stay with the club.
“Not much to say here. Alonso loves being a Met, and I don’t think the Mets will land Soto,” said one writer emphatically. “They’ll have room to operate, and their priority in that situation will be keeping Alonso in a Mets uniform.”
Among the other teams receiving singular votes, the Giants and Mariners were identified as two offensively needy teams that could be in the mix to add one of the game’s most consistent sluggers. The Yankees also received a vote as an option to replace Anthony Rizzo, but the most interesting selection was the team they beat in the ALCS. The Guardians have rarely forayed into free agency, but one writer believes that this is their chance to do so.
“This could be a big opportunity for the Guardians to spend money on a star to take that next step in winning,” they said.
