MLB free agency officially begins days after the conclusion of the World Series. The teams in the American League will compete to upgrade their rosters and put themselves in a better position to compete for the league pennant next season.
This week, Yardbarker’s MLB writers gathered to identify each league’s top free agents.
AL East
New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger.
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Outfielder Cody Bellinger
Acquired in a trade with the Chicago Cubs last offseason, Bellinger proved to be an integral part of the New York Yankees’ Juan Soto pivot. The 30-year-old center fielder hit 29 home runs in 2025, good for an .813 OPS and 125 OPS+, well above-average production behind presumed AL MVP Aaron Judge.
Bellinger will be coveted as a plus-hitting center fielder with pop, and his lefty bat makes a lot of sense in Philadelphia (assuming the Phillies don’t re-sign Harrison Bader). He could also be a good fit in Queens, where the New York Mets have a center field-sized hole to fill.
Third baseman Alex Bregman
The Boston Red Sox made an unexpected run to the postseason in 2025, with Alex Bregman’s veteran leadership and strong offensive output carrying the team to October. He will almost certainly opt out of his massive three-year, $120 million contract after a season in which he posted an .821 OPS and a 128 OPS+.
Assuming Bregman does indeed test the waters again, the Red Sox would be wise to re-sign him, especially since their in-house third base options aren’t exactly great. Other potential players include the two teams that played in the ALCS this year, the Toronto Blue Jays (who could potentially upgrade from incumbents Addison Barger and Ernie Clement) and the Seattle Mariners (who have a lease at third base in Eugenio Suarez).
Short stop Bo Bichette
Bichette notably missed the Toronto Blue Jays’ deep postseason run in 2025, but that doesn’t make his contributions any less valuable. The 27-year-old finished second in the American League in hits (181) this year, just three behind Kansas City Royals star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.. His prime age and premier position will make him one of the winter’s most intriguing free agents.
Among teams looking for shortstops, expect the Los Angeles Dodgers to be involved as they could move Mookie Betts back to the outfield. An under-the-radar team to watch? The Yankees maintain Anthony Volpe is their shortstop, but his issues this season may be difficult to ignore.
Right-handed pitcher Shane Bieber
The Cleveland Guardians returned from Tommy John surgery in 2025, trading Bieber to the Toronto Blue Jays for touted pitcher Khal Stephen last summer. That ended up being a smart signing by Toronto, as Bieber finished the 2025 season with a 3.57 ERA in seven starts.
In terms of suitors, Bieber should have a lot after (probably) declining his player option. The New York Mets would make sense given their rotation issues in 2025. The San Diego Padres also seem like a good fit on paper, as they will also have to replace their own free-agent pitchers. Other teams that could play for Bieber are the Detroit Tigers and the Atlanta Braves.
Second baseman Brandon Lowe
Lowe has a club option for 2026 with the Tampa Bay Rays, but it’s hard to imagine the latter picking it up. So the veteran second baseman and his league-leading 31 home runs in 2025 should likely hit the open market this winter.
A few teams to keep an eye on if Brandon Lowe hits the open market include the Detroit Tigers, who are set to lose Gleyber Torres in free agency, the San Diego Padres, who could lose Luis Arraez, and the San Francisco Giants, who could be in need of an upgrade from incumbent Casey Schmitt.
–Seth Carlson
AL Central
Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres.
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Second baseman Gleyber Torres
Torres gambled on himself when he signed a one-year, $15 million contract with the Tigers. Although he cooled off after a torrid first half, Torres provided solid strength and fundamental skills as he helped set the table for the Tigers sluggers. Torres, a possible candidate for the qualifying offer, should be in high demand as the best second baseman on the market.
A reunion with Detroit remains possible, but Torres could easily draw interest on the open market from several clubs like Kansas City or San Francisco, who could upgrade to second base.
Right-handed pitcher Jack Flaherty
Flaherty has a $20 million player option that he can exercise after a disappointing return to Detroit. However, he is just a year removed from arguably the second-best season of his career. Flaherty would be a gamble and might not get a long-term deal, but he could also be a great bargain.
Assuming Flaherty chooses to leave the Tigers, he should see interest from several teams in a weak pitching market. It is known that the Mets are looking for a new starter. The Blue Jays or Astros could also fit.
Outfielder Luis Robert Jr.
The White Sox have a pair of $20 million team options on Robert, so there’s no guarantee he’ll hit free agency this season. Although disappointed the last two years, Robert had a strong second half before a strained left hamstring ended his season. The White Sox have publicly said they remain committed to Robert, but that’s a significant investment for a player whose production has slumped.
While Chicago will likely hold on to its Cuban midfielder, teams will show interest in whether he can return to form when he hits the free agent market. Potential contenders like the Yankees and Mets could be a fit, as could an outfield-needy franchise like the Royals.
Outfielder Randal Grichuk
If there’s one thing Grichuk has done well during his career, it’s hitting lefties. Are platoon splits tied in 2025 and was slightly better against right-handed pitching, but he still has decent power and could be a cheap option for a team looking to improve its outfield production.
Grichuk has spent much of his career in a platoon role, but his ability to provide some power off the bench remains valuable, and several teams need help in the outfield. A reunion with Kansas City remains in play, but Grichuk could also draw interest from the Red Sox (if they lose Rob Refsnyder) or Tigers.
Right-handed pitcher Kyle Finnegan
Finnegan was a rarity at the 2025 trade deadline – a bullpen acquisition that actually ended up on a contending team. He has saved more than 20 games in each of the past three seasons and can be considered part of the second tier of closers. Finnegan has a 47 percent groundball rate over his career and could be a solid setup man for a contending team at worst.
Many teams will look to bullpen help this season. The Yankees, Diamondbacks and Phillies could all be in the market for a late-inning arm.
–David Hill
AL West
Seattle Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor.
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Left-handed pitcher Framber Valdez
In a relatively weak pitching market, Valdez could prove to be the most intriguing arm around. The southpaw has been Houston’s most consistent starter in recent years, topping 176 IP in each of the past four seasons. This past season, the 31-year-old posted a 3.66 ERA (114 ERA+), despite issuing the most walks and wild pitches of his career.
A reunion with Houston seemed likely just months ago, but now it seems clear that Valdez will likely leave for greener pastures this season. Any team looking to improve their rotation should at least kick Valdez to the ground.
First baseman Josh Naylor
Naylor, a trade addition in July, quickly won over Seattle’s fan base with his all-out effort on defense and hustle on the bases. Between the D-backs and Mariners, Naylor hit a combined .295/.353/.462 on the year with 20 HRs, 92 RBI and a career-high 30 stolen bases.
Seattle will certainly enjoy bringing “Thickey Henderson” back into the fold next season, but Naylor could draw interest from several clubs looking to add a bat at first base this season. He will likely be the cheaper option for teams pursuing Cody Bellinger and Pete Alonso.
Baseman Tourism Shipping Eugenio
Once again, Suarez showed that he has one of the most powerful hitters in the major leagues at third base. He hit 49 home runs in his career and belted 118 between his time with Arizona and Seattle this season. Mariners fans embraced Suarez despite his struggles at the plate following the trade.
Toronto, Seattle, Boston and many of the same clubs that could pursue Alex Bregman and/or Munetaka Murakami this season will also play for Suarez, who at age 34 should still be on a multi-year contract.
Infielder Jorge Polanco
Polanco has a $6 million player option for the 2026 season, which he could still exercise. It’s also entirely possible that he chooses to explore the open market in hopes of achieving a higher AAV over a longer commitment. Polanco’s 2025 marked a sharp turnaround from his 2024, with a nearly 200-point increase in his OPS.
Gleyber Torres and Brandon Lowe could monopolize the second base market when free agency opens, but if Polanco is available, he could prove to be a more affordable option for teams looking for an upgrade at the position.
Infielder Luis Rengifo
2025 proved to be a challenge for Rengifo as his attacking numbers dropped significantly from the three previous seasons. Rengifo hit just .238/.287/.335 for Los Angeles this season. Still, a 28-year-old switch-hitter who can fill multiple positions will draw interest from teams, even if it’s just to play a role off the bench.
Rengifo’s market will largely depend on the role he is looking for. If he wants to start, his options may be more limited unless he’s willing to wait and see where the other infielders sign first.
–Aaron Somers
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