The 2025-26 MLB free agency class has a mix of a handful of superstars mixed in with reliable veterans and buy-low candidates. It’s not the most blockbuster of groups, yet there are plenty of franchise-altering names on the market, and a healthy selection of starting pitchers for teams needing to fortify their rotations.
With the offseason officially underway, we’ve ranked the top free agents at each position:
Catcher
- J.T. Realmuto
- Danny Jansen
- Victor Caratini
Despite signs of significant offensive decline, including a decrease in bat speed and xwOBA in 2025, J.T. Realmuto is the premier catcher free agent this winter. He’s still a very good defender behind the plate.
Behind Realmuto, it’s a question of Danny Jansen’s 108 OPS+ since 2021 against Victor Caratini’s low strikeouts, career OPS+ of 90, and solid blocking. Realmuto seems likely to return to the Phillies, while plenty of teams could make sense for Jansen and Caratini.
First Basemen
- Pete Alonso
- Josh Naylor
- Ryan O’Hearn
Carlos Santana, Paul Goldschmidt, Luis Arraez, and Rhys Hoskins miss out on the top three, but all four project to land jobs as everyday first basemen.
Only 25 qualified hitters have a better wRC+ than Pete Alonso over the last three seasons. Josh Naylor mixes decent pop with a very low strikeout rate and a good glove. Ryan O’Hearn cooled down after a scorching first half, but still finished with 125 OPS+ in 2025, and has a 122 mark over the last three seasons.
Minimal outfield experience could work in O’Hearn’s favor, but his deal is going to be much smaller than Alonso’s and Naylor’s.
Second Basemen
- Jorge Polanco
- Gleyber Torres
- Dylan Moore
It’s rare that there’s a stacked free agency class at second base. Jorge Polanco and Gleyber Torres are two decent options, but there’s a chasm between that duo and the next group, which features Dylan Moore, Jose Iglesias, Willi Castro, and Amed Rosario.
Defense is a concern for Polanco, particularly on a multi-year deal. He did, however, just have a strong offensive season. Torres has a similar story, as he makes elite plate decisions and barrels the ball a decent amount, but he’s a liability defensively.
Moore had a down year at the plate, but he could be a buy-low alternative after posting a 109 OPS+ between 2022 and 2024. He’s got defensive experience across the outfield and at first base.
Shortstop
- Bo Bichette
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa
- Ha-Seong Kim
Bo Bichette is in a league of his own among free-agent shortstops. Bichette isn’t even a guarantee to be a shortstop for his new team following ugly defensive numbers in 2025. An offensive bounce-back season at least ensures he will get a long-term deal.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa has played all over the infield. It takes a good year for him to be a league-average hitter, but he can serve a role as a bench player on a contending team.
An injury-riddled season should make teams wary of Ha-Seong Kim. His defense regressed markedly. He’s only got a 92 OPS+ over the last two seasons and will likely be after a multi-year deal as he enters his age-30 campaign.
Third Basemen
- Alex Bregman
- Munetaka Murakami
- Eugenio Suárez
After a down year in his final year in Houston, Alex Bregman resumed normal service with a big 2025 in Boston. He opted out of his deal as a result and will be gunning for a long-term contract ahead of his age-32 season.
Posted by the NPB, Munetaka Murakami is projected for a nine-figure contract. Murakami is turning 26 in February. Injuries impacted his 2025 output, but he still hit 24 home runs in 69 games. While he works a huge number of walks, the high strikeout total could put off some front offices. He’s hit 247 home runs since the start of 2018.
Eugenio Suárez just posted his highest OPS since 2019. A second-half slump and his age (34) are factors that mean anything more than a two-year pact is unlikely. His bat won’t necessarily provide value at first or DH.
Corner Outfielders
- Kyle Tucker
- Mike Yastrzemski
- Miguel Andujar
- Austin Hays
- Jesse Winker
The crown jewel of this winter’s class, Kyle Tucker is several leagues ahead of any other corner outfielder on the market. That’s even accounting for Tucker’s middling-to-poor defense in recent years. He’s a truly elite hitter, who could slot in nicely at DH long-term.
Behind Tucker, teams could pick up veteran right fielder Mike Yastrzemski as a stopgap. A very good defender with power, Yaz was a reliable servant for the Giants.
It gets a bit shakier from there. Miguel Andujar just had the best offensive season of his career, but his underlying numbers suggest that was a fluke. He’s more of a DH than an outfielder. Austin Hays has a lower offensive ceiling, yet he’s been a serviceable outfielder since 2021. Jesse Winker’s best days are behind him.
Center Fielders
- Harrison Bader
- Cody Bellinger
- Trent Grisham
In 2025, Trent Grisham showcased the offensive production last seen in 2020 with 34 home runs and a 125 OPS+. Cody Bellinger is an elite defender, with good bat-to-ball skills and plenty of power for the position.
It was a toss-up for first place in center. Harrison Bader’s glove and speed give him the edge for teams that have enough offense, even though his offensive production last season is not sustainable.
Designated Hitters
- Kyle Schwarber
- Marcell Ozuna
- Andrew McCutchen
An MVP finalist and with the third-most homers over the last three seasons, Kyle Schwarber’s free agency will be fascinating. Does a team dare to pay a DH for four-plus years? How confident are front offices that he can maintain this production?
Following massive seasons in 2023 and 2024, Marcell Ozuna took a step back in 2025. His OPS dropped to .755 and his barrel rate cratered. Anything more than a one-year deal would be a huge risk.
The eye is still great, and he’s a true clubhouse leader, but Andrew McCutchen only makes sense for rebuilding teams at this stage of his career. A return to Pittsburgh seems inevitable.
Starting Pitchers
- Framber Valdez
- Dylan Cease
- Tatsuya Imai
- Ranger Suárez
- Michael King
This is a deep starting pitching class. All four of the MLB players included have been given the qualifying offer. None are likely to accept it, with each player gunning for deals extending to 2030 and beyond in free agency.
Tatsuya Imai is only 5’11, but don’t let that fool you. He throws in the mid-to-high 90s and has a wipeout slider. His ERA was 1.92 in the NPB last season, plus he struck out 9.8 batters per nine with only 2.5 walks.
Framber Valdez and Ranger Suárez are the soft-contact, low-walk options at the top of the starter market. Dylan Cease’s stuff and strikeout numbers give him the highest ceiling of the group. Michael King broke out in 2024, but injuries contributed to an underwhelming 2025, which could hamper his earning potential.
Shota Imanaga, Zac Gallen, Brandon Woodruff, Lucas Giolito, Zach Eflin, and Mike Soroka will also be targeting multi-year pacts.
Relief Pitchers
- Edwin Díaz
- Tyler Rogers
- Devin Williams
- Robert Suarez
- Raisel Iglesias
- Kyle Finnegan
- Ryan Helsley
The reliever market has proven closers like Edwin Díaz and Devin Williams. There are also veterans like Raisel Iglesias and Robert Suarez. The latter has become one of the best relievers in the game, but teams might be wary of his limited track record in the majors. Iglesias, meanwhile, doesn’t seem to age.
Kyle Finnegan went under the radar closing for the Nationals, but his numbers have been very good. Ryan Helsley could be a set up man or a closer for a contending team, despite his woeful few months as a Met.
Tyler Rogers is the anomaly here. Rogers has been MLB’s most durable reliever over the last few years. His rising slider and low-80s sinker continue to baffle hitters. Walks are rare and ground balls are plentiful. Hoby Milner is a lower priced alternative if teams don’t want to make a splash with Rogers.
Other relievers to look out for: Shawn Armstrong, Kenley Jansen, Pete Fairbanks, Hunter Harvey, Luke Weaver, Seranthony Domínguez, Caleb Ferguson, David Robertson.
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