With lefty Blake Snell signing a five year deal with the reigning World Series champions last week, where will the rest of the most coveted free agents call home?
Juan Soto, Outfielder
Soto has quickly become one of the most transcendent athletes in North America, becoming a World Series champion at 19 years old and having an approach at the plate that draws comparison to MLB legend Ted Williams. Soto is coming off his fourth career All-Star season, being nominated as a finalist, though finishing behind Aaron Judge, who led baseball in every major category. Soto is graded as a below average fielder, but his ability at the plate is one of the best in the world.
After falling short with the Yankees in the 2024 World Series, Soto made it clear he would test free agency, declining his qualifying offer Tuesday morning. So far, Soto has met with the Mets, Yankees, Blue Jays and Red Sox, with the Phillies and Dodgers due to meet with the 26 year old next. With rumors that Soto will earn a contract exceeding $600 million, these six teams seem like the most likely suitors, as they’ve all shown in recent memory a willingness to spend.
Soto’s Destination: New York Mets
Corbin Burnes, Starting Pitcher
Since becoming a full-time starter midway through 2020, Burnes has quickly put himself in the conversation for best pitcher in baseball. The 30-year-old righty has been nominated to four consecutive All-Star teams, including this year in his lone season in Baltimore, after being traded last offseason.
Burnes has sliced opposing offenses open, donning a sub-three ERA and being named the 2021 NL Cy Young winner. He has been linked with the Giants, Dodgers, Blue Jays, Red Sox and Orioles.
Burnes Destination: Boston Red Sox
Pete Alonso, First Baseman
Debuting in 2019, Alonso burst onto the scene, setting the MLB rookie record for home runs, popping 53 and surpassing Judge’s mark from the year prior. Though the Polar Bear never exceeded that total in the following five seasons, he became one of baseball’s premier power bats, launching 30+ home runs and totaling 85+ RBIs in every year, apart from 2020’s shortened season.
Alonso has been to three straight All-Star games, and will most likely see a contract north of the $200 million mark. Though returning to the Mets seems to be a likely result, the Astros, Yankees and Mariners seem to be in the mix.
Alonso’s Destination: Houston Astros
Roki Sasaki, Starting Pitcher
Japan has had three of the premier exports of the last decade, with Shohei Ohtani, Kodai Senga and Yoshinobu Yamamoto all landing stateside. Sasaki is set to be the next, after four dominating seasons. The slender righty is just 23 years old and has bullied opposing hitters in Nippon Professional Baseball with his four pitch mix. With a fastball topping nearing 103 miles per hour, Sasaki posted a low-two ERA, averaging 11.4 K/9.
The Dodgers landed Ohtani and Yamamoto in free agency last season, while the Mets hauled Senga the year prior, leading to the two franchises as the front runners for Sasaki. Though the Giants, Padres, Yankees and Blue Jays will pursue him, it feels like a two horse race.
Sasaki’s Destination: Los Angeles Dodgers
Alex Bregman, Third Baseman
Across the last decade, Bregman has cemented himself as a top-three third baseman in baseball, winning two World Series, being nominated to two All-Star teams and winning a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger award. Despite his success at the hot corner, Bregman mentioned that he is willing to move to second base, seeming to end his era in Houston.
The Yankees, Mets and Blue Jays seem to be on the inside track to land Bregman, though the Tigers could draw him in, with former manager AJ Hinch leading this ball club. With rumors that the Phillies could shake things up, they are a dark horse candidate to land him.
Bregman’s Destination: Philadelphia Phillies
Max Fried, Starting Pitcher
Since joining Atlanta’s pitching staff, Max Fried has quietly been one of baseball’s best pitchers. His 2024 season was more of the same, being spectacular in a contract year. In the six years of being a starter for the Braves, Fried has tossed to the tune of a 71-31 record, with an ERA just north of three.
With Snell being the shiny lefty on the market, Fried’s suitors most likely won’t emerge until his deal is done. Mainly anyone who misses out of Snell will toss their hat in the Fried sweepstakes.
Fried’s Destination: Texas Rangers
Jack Flaherty, Starting Pitcher
After back-to-back subpar seasons, Flaherty joined the Detroit Tigers, where the righty rekindled the success from his early years in the show. Detroit shipped him to Los Angeles before the trade deadline, as Flaherty would contribute to the Dodgers’ second World Series in five years. Though his numbers weren’t as pretty as they were in the Motor City, he was still a reliable option.
It makes plenty of sense for Flaherty to remain with the Dodgers, though they might be prioritizing other free agents. A return to Detroit seems like a realistic outcome, following the franchises first playoff berth in a decade, even Red Sox and Mets being in the mix.
Flaherty’s Destination: Detroit Tigers
Anthony Santander, Outfielder
Santander has been a big bopper in Baltimore for the last three seasons, with 2024 being his magnum opus. Launching 44 home runs and driving in 102 runs, the switch-hitting outfielder earned his first All-Star nomination and Silver Slugger award, with the open market looming. The only factor that will hurt the number on the check will be his defense, grading as a detrimental defender.
There’s a strong possibility that teams could bring him in as a designated hitter, with a chance to keep him in right field. Almost anyone could use 40 home runs in a season, but the likely candidates for his service are the Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees.
Santander’s Destination: Toronto Blue Jays
Christian Walker, First Baseman
Though Alonso is the bigger name, Walker is easily a top-10 first baseman in the MLB. Alonso has a slight advantage in the power category, but Walker isn’t a slouch by any means, producing three straight seasons of 25+ doubles, 25+ home runs and 80+ RBIs. All this, while being the best defensive first baseman the last three years, as well.
Walker won’t yield the price tag that Alonso will demand, as he’ll be 34 by the time Opening Day rolls around. He might be a better option for a smaller market team to get a first baseman long term. While the Yankees will be in the name heard most for the first baseman, the Mariners, Astros, Diamondbacks and Giants will all be in position to land him.
Walker’s Destination: New York Yankees
Willy Adames, Shortstop
Adames has become one of the most underrated shortstops in baseball. Though his glove leaves some to be desired, the 29 year old has made a killing at the dish, totaling 50 or more extra base hits in each of the last four seasons. Though Adames has primarily only played short, teams could bring him in to man the hot corner.
His time in Milwaukee seems to be in the past, as the Dodgers, Red Sox and Braves will most likely be offering Adames a deal, just to name a few.
Adames’ Destination: Atlanta Braves
Teoscar Hernández, Outfielder
After a disappointing 2023, the Dodgers took a shot on Hernández and it paid off big time. He produced the highest home run total of his career, earning his third Silver Slugger en route to the Dodgers’ World Series victory. Even during his down year, Hernández was still a slightly above average hitter, but it seems he’s found his rhythm again, before hitting the market.
Los Angeles will surely be atop the list of places he’s likely to land. It wouldn’t be surprising for a return to the champs, even with the Yankees, Braves and Red Sox pursuing the slugger.
Hernández’s Destination: Los Angeles Dodgers
All stats are from Baseball Reference as of Dec. 3.
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