1. Top Free Agents Still on the Board:
The top end of the free agent market picked up with frenzied activity late last week. Kyle Tucker, Bo Bichette, Ranger SuarezAnd JT Realmuto over the course of just a few days, they all came off the board. That series of moves left this offseason’s free agent class still quite deep in quality options but looking relatively barren at the top. Right now, the best options still available are left-handed Framber Valdez and outfielder Cody Bellinger. Players like it Zac Gallen And Eugene Suarez remain as well, but they lack the kind of surefire impact that Valdez and Bellinger can provide.
Bellinger’s market has received a lot of attention lately thanks to the apparent standoff between his camp and the incumbent Yankees in negotiations. The team’s apparent willingness to include opt-outs after the second and third seasons of their five-year offer in the $150 million to $160 million range has not motivated Bellinger to sign so far. The Blue Jays, Mets and Cubs are among the other teams linked to Bellinger and looming as potential rivals. Valdez, meanwhile, has had a relatively quiet market, but remains tied to the Orioles and Mets. The Blue Jays reportedly met with him in November, but that was before the club entered Dylan stops. Where will the market’s remaining stars ultimately end up?
2. Braves take a big hit in their infield:
Yesterday’s news that Hi Seong Kim suffered a hand injury that required surgery, with a recovery time of four to five months, was a major blow to the fans in Atlanta. After bringing in Kim in hopes of upgrading one of the worst productions in the majors at shortstop in 2025, the team will be without their marquee lineup for most of the first half of next year. After a disappointing season with 86 defeats last year and with only three years left Ronald Acuna Jr. Hitting free agency, Atlanta will certainly be hoping to make the most of the 2026 campaign. Will president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos find a way to fill the sudden hole in the team’s roster despite the payroll already skyrocketing this season thanks to additions like Kim, Robert SuarezAnd Mike Yastrzemski? Or will the team have to look at internal options such as Mauricio Dubon to keep the team on track while Kim recovers?
3. The appetite for help is strong across the league:
Realmuto and Victor Caratini both signed this weekend, leaving zero reliable regulars available in free agency. That’s an especially notable development considering the number of teams reportedly interested in acquiring upgrades. Both the Rays and Red Sox were reportedly both involved in the markets for Realmuto and Caratini, respectively, before the pair signed elsewhere. The Padres have Freddy Fermin behind the plate, but could certainly benefit from adding a reliable player to split time with him. The Astros don’t have any backup for it Yainer Diaz even after Caratini’s departure. Those clubs will have to look at the players who are still in free agency Jonah Heim And Gary Sanchezas possible solutions, or else turn to the trade market, where players like Yankees are backing up JC Escarra and Phillies backup Rafael Marchan are among the options that could at least theoretically be available.
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