2026-27 MLB Free Agents

73 Responses

• Is this the worst free agent class of all time? I can’t see anyone topping 9 figures aside from Skubal.

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  • A quick glance – Jazz might also top it. The Q.O. will be close to $25M by then. Bellinger is going opt-out and receive one this winter. But yeah it’s a bad class.

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    • Whoever gives $100 M for a bat like Jazz should be fired. Unless he corrects his pitch selection, he’ll continue to be a low OBP with 20-HR power.

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  • Truly bad class

    Probably gives a nice bump to a guy like Bregman this offseason.

    Even Gleybar should get fat with teams looking ahead at this monstrosity

    Curious George Springer might even get another bag, something that seemed like a pipe dream not so long ago

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    • George is going to be 37 the only bag he could get would be from the Astros

      Ronald acuna definitely isnt going to be declined but I wonder how much he could make if he still gets injured

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      • RAJ’s option is a $7M decision. That’s an automatic even if he’s hurt all of ’26. Even the lowly White Sox is most likely picking up LRJ’s $20M option next season. RAJ has a much higher ceiling than him.

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  • You mean to tell me you don’t want to sign 37 year old Rendon on a bounceback deal?

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  • There are a decent set of bats in Randy, Suzuki, Varsho JP, Jazz and Nico, but because of age/position/defense base value they are looking at 3-4yr deals which will make $100M a long shot. Varsho and Jazz probably have the best chance if they can have a good power year.

    On the pitching side, Lazardo and Flaherty with good platforms would have a chance as well.

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  • Pretty much. I can see some teams lock up their younger players in the next two seasons in light of this. The A’s could do well by doing so and begin honing in on building a pitching staff.

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  • As for 9 figure contracts, I would add Freddy Peralta and Pete Alonso, barring injuries or extensions. Under normal circumstances, their options will vest or be picked.

    Also, depending on performances, maybe Alcántara, Luzardo, and Alec Bohm is a long shot, unless he has two great seasons after this one.

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  • David Peterson will clear 9 figures easy if he’s healthy and pitching like he has over the last 250 innings.

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  • Seiya Suzuki is pretty good

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  • matt – Let’s not forgot opt outs have become quite common, you’ve got guys like Bregman … he could stay with Boston next year and then opt out.

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    • What do you think about going after Jake Bauers 1B and Ryan Jeffers C for 2027?

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      • Sean – I’ve been mentioning Jeffers constantly since last year! He’s at the top of my wishlist, an excellent hitter and he would fill a desperate need at the catching position.

        I’m leery of Bauers. He’s missed a ton of games throughout his career and has crashed in the second half of every season.

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      • Jeffers would be such a good fit. Bauers really looks like he’s made a step this year but I see the splits you mentioned. I don’t necessarily want to get rid of Willson but I think the return could be pretty nice especially if he’s in a package with Chapman to say… San Diego 🤔 for a certain RF that could really put some dents in a certain green wall… or maybe Seattle/LAD for a prospect haul 🤔… I trust Breslow to sell. I do not trust him to buy. Not that I believe that’s even in consideration after that Tampa series.

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      • sean – You could be right about Bauers, I haven’t seen him or followed him that much to know if he’s made any lasting changes.

        Contreras has been performing really well, but it’s a career year for him and the red flags are there. He is one emotional, angry dude that seems on the verge of exploding any minute. Did you see that slide last night? There’s going to be a bench-clearing brawl because of him, mark my words.

        I wouldn’t touch Tatis unless a huge portion of his contract is eaten.

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      • Metrics are there for Tatis being a superstar for years still. Personally I like his fit. 👍🏻

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      • Sean – So who goes then? They are not gonna make Roman a fulltime DH or convert him to 1B.

        You’d put Tatis at 2B? Then what happens when Arias comes up and it’s him & Mayer for middle infield?

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      • In my hypothetical Tatis package… it’s Duran/Chapman/Witherspoon going to SD and Tatis/Salas coming back. We take on full salary in order to get Salas. Yoshida DFA. We have a 4 man OF/DH situation but it’s a thing of beauty. Three gold glove outfielders, two capable of playing the infield… very well. Gives us a lot of flexibility too. Tell me you don’t love it. I dare ya

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      • Sean – You just reminded me of that Christmas movie scene where the kid was dared to lick a frozen flag pole in the middle of winter. I have a relative that actually did something similar, it wasn’t pretty. LOL!!

        Sorry but even if I was okay with Roman being the fulltime DH, not a chance I would take on Tatis full salary.

        Before the suspension = .965 OPS
        After the suspension = .787 OPS

        I’m sure the metrics say he’s having “bad luck” or something this season, but what about 2023-2025? Over a 3-year period you are what your stats say you are, unless there’s other factors such as injuries, personal issues, etc.

        If they can’t get Jeffers, sure I’d take Salas.

        The catcher situation is getting really bad. I was listening to the radio guys today, they kept saying they’ve never seen a pitcher and catcher look so angry with each other. Not surprising since Narvy is rated dead last in rCERA.

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      • The numbers won’t necessarily back this up, but the eye test makes it somewhat closer… Tatis could be our next manny. Justin Gonzales… papi. For god sakes man let me dream lol

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      • Sean – Does this mean you’re out on Jeffers?

        Your dream negates my dream. LOL

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      • Haha no not at all. Definitely IN. Salas is what? 19-20? Jeffers is 30. Jeffers profile suggests in 3-4 years from now a move off catching and to 1B/DH would be strong. Similar to Willson now. By then Salas would have had at least a full year as our backup C. Ryan Jeffers is a perfect fit. Tatis is a pipe dream but it’s because he’s such a change-of-scenery bounce-back-superstar candidate. We need a hero, and he’s got hero potential.

        My other dream is that Marcelo follows the same career trajectory as Geraldo Perdomo and he’s just a year away still. That’s all. Keep feeding him ABs even when Romy comes back. Take them away from someone else. If Marcelo could make that jump it changes everything.

        I wanna prospect hoard so hard this deadline as well. So clearly too many dreams. Anyone standing out to you that you want to target? I like a lot of the kids in the mariners system.

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      • The prospect hoarding desire is definitely directly related to enjoying this season in Greenville so much. Selfishly wanted to add to the already incredible amount of talent that we been able to watch this year. These kids coming up are gooooood. Better even than their numbers.

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      • Sean – I admittedly don’t follow the minors as much as you, so don’t have an opinion on who to target.

        I agree with you on Marcelo, I’m really rooting for him. I think his hitting and defense at SS will improve eventually. And I really hope he can stay healthy all season, back issues are no joke.

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      • FPG are you interested in joining the MLBTR fantasy league? We had an owner drop out and need a new one. You’d be taking over a really solid team with plenty of time left in the season. The parity is great. Everyone is super active. The guys are really cool. If so shoot Salzilla and email. His details are in the opener article for today (Monday 6/15). You would know a few of us… MeowMeow, Gwynning, Oppo Nacho, IgnornatSOB, StudWinfield, Flanster, etc.

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      • Dream on!
        The Padres would not be giving away Tatis Jr for that lowball offer. Padres would not even take the call to discuss unless the Red Sox would be prepared to offer the Padres much more than they gave up for Orioles catcher
        Adley Rutchsman.

        And, Ethan Salas IS UNTOUCHABLE AND NOT GOING ANYWHERE. Salas just turned 20 years young and is a +++ Defender and a +++ big bat too.

        Salas would be the starting catcher on most major league teams right now @ age 20!

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      • Tatis Jr is a platinum glove OF and a 5 Star All Star player with a very low, competitive salary for at least another 8+ years.

        Tatis Jr is a better, younger player than Juan Soto.
        Soto is a glorified DH.

        Very Unlikely that Tatis Jr is traded unless a team wants to completely empty their best young MLB players and farm system for him.

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      • LMFAO!

        You will “Take Salas”?!

        Salas IS UNTOUCHABLE.

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      • Salas won’t be “backing up” any other catcher.

        Once Salas is in the big leagues fulltime like in 2027,
        then he will be Starting @ Catcher.
        Salas is already better Defensively than most starting MLB catchers.
        And, his offense has caught up too.

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      • Why would any team want Duran and give up one of the best players in baseball for him?! Duran had 1 good year.
        And, he has struggled ever since barely hitting .200 and .621 OPS in 2026?!
        The Padres have multiple better OFs on their roster.

        Chapman?! Dude is almost 40 years old.

        The Padres have the best bullpen in MLB.
        Ever hear of a guy named Mason Miller?
        He is only 28 years old, is the best Closer in MLB
        And, he is cost controlled for many years. and won’t be a free agent until 2030.
        Padres would have zero interest in Chapman.

        Witherspoon was traded to the Orioles in the Rutschman deal.

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      • Having a good time responding to yourself about months old posts? None of those moves were made when this was published. Tatis is cooked and a shell of the player they signed. No PEDs no power. Sad. Given the opportunity SD would dump that contract in a minute. AND it would take a Salas to move it. But go ahead and keep posting bonehead

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      • Sean – Oh wow, just saw this now with the thread being revived.

        Great group of guys, but I don’t do fantasy. I get too absorbed in it which means really, really time consuming. Same thing happened to me when I did Fantasy Football years ago.

        Appreciate the offer though.

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      • Sean – I agree with you here. Even though Tatis improved somewhat, he’s still not worth the $26M he’ll be making next year.

        And he sure as heck won’t be worth the $37M he’ll be making from 2029-2034.

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      • 4.3 WAR at 10 mil / WAR and you think 26 mil is a overpay?

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    • Jake… IF… they move Willson at deadline. Jeffers, the bat really came alive this year. Hopefully the hamate doesn’t wreck the progress

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  • When 42 year old Justin Verlander can get $15MM to pitch poorly in 2025, I think you might be undervaluing what these guys are going to end up getting

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  • Jazz
    Nico (outside chance, he’s been the most valuable second baseman in terms of WAR over the past three seasons)
    Lowe is possible with a healthy year
    Torres
    Happ
    Suzuki
    Varsho
    Grisham if he puts up another monster year.
    A handful of starting pitchers are possible.
    100 million doesn’t buy you what it used to and several of these guys I listed are going to get 5-6 year maybe more, 6 years is less than a 17 million AAV.

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• God awful. Yankees are screwed

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  • All big market teams are screwed! I am sure the Players will be calling collusion since
    Nobody will be making big money!!!!

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    • It is a pretty uninspiring class heading into a likely lockout offseason…

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      • Has the game really been more exciting with the DH in the NL?

        New CBA could be big reason for a poor FA class. Both sides have the same problem. Some make a lot of money while others make a little more and a few get fat

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      • oh – So you’re saying you’d rather Ohtani hit only once every 5-6 games?

        And you’d rather Schwarber retire?

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      • They made ohtani rules. Don’t act like neither of them could’ve gotten an AL job or can stand in the OF

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      • oh – There’s a reason Babe stopped pitching, starting pitchers cannot physically handle playing a defensive position every day between starts. Pitchers need their rest.

        And Schwarber is fantastic, but he cannot play the outfield competently.

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      • Just think about how great the Babe would have been if he worked out and kept in much better physical shape?!

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• This offseason
  Yanks need to let jazz go
  Move Volpe to 2nd
  Bring Lombard to the majors

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  • There’s a good chance the Yankees look to extend Jazz. They’re going to give Volpe time to hopefully rebound defensively then go from there. I wouldn’t rule out Lombard moving to 3B when he reaches the big leagues

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    • A reputable scout sees it the way I described

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• This is a terrible class lmaoooo. I’ll just skip the offseason next year.

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• There likely won’t be a 2027 season anyway, so this list won’t really matter.

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  • That’s what I was thinking. Lockout or strike, same result for the fans.

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• I don’t see it as very likely that Burnes opts out considering his injury/surgery this season.

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• JP is as good as gone after next year since colt Emerson and Celesten are coming

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• Ryan OHearn?

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  • He is a free agent after this current season, not after 2026

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• That’s rough, looks like another reliever based trade deadline next year based on rentals. Spend big this year I guess.

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• This a terrible list. Yikes. Glad my team is really building a sustainable pipeline of young talent.

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• Oof. This is a rough FA class.

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• Uninspiring group, and a rare opportunity for some near the CBT levels to cut spending, because there’s no one to spend money

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• Jeff McNeil listed at center field? I know he’s been playing there but his primary position is 2B.

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• Not a great group by any means. Might be a good thing as that seems like it will be another MLB winter of discontent…

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• That’s certainly a …. list of players

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• The angels will finally get rid of their rendon problem

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• Kyle Tucker? Kyle Schwarber?

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  • It’s a list of 2026-27 free agents

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• everyone is saying it is a terrible class but that is mainly for position players, there are some decent arms out there especially if guys like alcantra come back to form and everyone will probably be in on skubal

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  • If alcantara comes back to form the marlins will pay him the $21M

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    • or he doesn’t finish the year as a marlin – and whoever trades for him does

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• Clay Holmes has player option after 2025 season

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• Forgive my ignorance on the upcoming CBA, but how might that affect how the offseason is approached RE free agents? There was a fair amount of discussion on it last offseason.

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• You all have to understand, everyone planned this ahead of time: players, agents, GM’s, and owners, because winter of ’26 is a Collective Bargaining Agreement period, and it has been looking to be a contentious one since the last CBA.

  No one knew what the FA spending landscape would look like after the negotiations; what kind, and how how much they’d pay in new penalties for spending too much or not enough. That’s why last offseason was so weird, (Trent Grisham wouldn’t have gotten a QO, for one thing, didn’t want to sign a better player on an expensive multi year deal), and is why this one will be *very* odd.

  It’ll probably have quite a late-running hot-stove… The league *will* probably lock out the players, so it might be as late as May. 60 days in is the maximum likely, otherwise the league screws up their streaming/broadcast payout schedule, which they don’t want to do, but if the players hold fast, it could be as late as ’28.

  ’94/’95 was a sad thing, so I hope everyone gets their act together in time.

  This has been looking like the most disruptive contract negotiation period since the nineties. There’s a lot at stake this winter, and Manfred came out campaigning against players’ interests right out of the gate in 2022, immediately after the last one, inflaming the Players’ Union leaders, (Bryce Harper seems to be the loudest player advocate). He’s been riling up support, vocally, and as often as possible. There’s always been some press gamesmanship with these, but Manfred really upped his game this time around, signalling a bulldog approach to the massive slate of changes the league intends to institute, mostly at the expense of the players.

  CBS’ MLB Lockout 101 is a decent primer on the whole thing: cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-lockout-logistics-cba-n…

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