List of free agents by position
The expression “the off season” no longer exists in baseball. We now have to talk about the off-season, since things happen as soon as the World Series is over.
As of October 31, all players who have completed six years of service have become free agents. However, these players cannot negotiate with other teams for five days following the conclusion of the World Series. However, they can negotiate with the team they played with in 2024.
Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees is a good example as he decided to take advantage of a clause in his contract to become a free agent. According to the contract, the Yankees had to add a contract year ($36 million) to avoid losing Cole to the free agent market. An agreement was reached between the two parties while Cole will not be a free agent, but the Yankees will not have to pay $36 million for an additional year. They will most likely negotiate something to the satisfaction of both parties, but it had to be settled otherwise Cole would become available on the market, which is no longer the case.
November 4 was an important date. Contracts that have player or team options had to be decided. For example, the Braves chose not to exercise the option on catcher Travis D’Arnaud, just like the Yankees with Anthony Rizzo. The Mets did the same thing with reliever Phil Maton. However, the New York Mets saw Sean Manaea choose to become a free agent, he who had the option to get out of his contract. Blake Snell imitated him with the San Francisco Giants. Cody Bellinger has decided to exercise his option and stay with the Chicago Cubs in 2025 with a salary of $27.5 million. The Atlanta Braves also decided to retain the services of Marcell Ozuna for the final year of his contract for $16 million.
November 4 at 5 p.m. was also the deadline for qualifying offers from free agents with more than six years of service. To be eligible, a player must have played the entire 2024 season with the same team and never received a qualifying offer. For example, Juan Soto received a qualifying offer from the Yankees, but Jack Flaherty, who joined the Dodgers at the trade deadline, will not receive one. In other words, if Juan Soto signed a contract with a new team, the Yankees would receive some form of compensation. This year, the amount of the offer stands at $21.05 million, which is somewhat the average of the 125 best contracts in major baseball. So, starting at 5 p.m. on November 4, all free agents can negotiate with the teams of their choice. Here is the list of 13 players who received a qualifying offer from their team:
1. Willy Adames des Brewers
2. Pete Alonso of the Mets
3. Alex Bregman des Astros
4. Corbin Burnes of the Orioles
5. Max Fried des Braves
6. Teoscar Hernandez of the Dodgers
7. Sean Manaea of the Mets
8. Nick Martinez of the Reds
9. Nick Pivetta of the Red Sox
10. Anthony Santander des Orioles
11. Luis Severino of the Mets
12. Juan Soto des Yankees
13. Christian Walker des Diamondbacks
Obviously, the list of free agents is broader. As of this writing, that’s 174 free agents in total.
The list of 13 players who received a qualifying offer is impressive. There are players there who can make the difference.
Juan Soto! What more can I say. There was Aaron Judge two years ago and the Shohei Ohtani saga last year. What does Juan Soto have in store for us this year?
Two star first basemen in Alonzo and Walker, a great shortstop in Adames, a top third baseman in Bregman, two great corner outfielders who would cost a fraction of the price for Soto in Hernandez and Santander , starting pitchers who can change the dynamic of a staff in Burns, Snell, Manaea, Severino, Martinez and Pivetta.
Juan Soto
Only 26 years old with the quality of his statistics advanced or not, Juan Soto will be very expensive. He is aiming for a long-term contract. I have the impression that he could go up to $600 million for 12 or 13 years. Obviously, only a handful of teams will be in the race. I would be very surprised if he leaves the Yankees, and if that is the case, he will stay in New York since the Mets certainly have the means. He’s already mentioned that he likes the east coast better than the west. But like everything, money talks and it will listen if the Dodgers ever dare again. In my opinion, he will be a Yankee for a long time. The Yankees will have to be active, since the two players on the right side of the infield will need to be replaced. Rizzo and Gleyber Torres are now free agents and there is a succession to develop. But Soto must be the priority for Yankees management.
Pete Alonso et Christian Walker
For Alonso, it’s hard to imagine him anywhere other than the Mets, but with Scott Boras as his agent, anything can happen. Teams that could benefit from improving at first base include the Los Angeles Angels, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, St. Louis Cardinals, Yankees and Padres. San Diego seems like an interesting destination for him, but I have a feeling Walker will receive more interest. It will cost less and will be less demanding over time due to its 34 years. Houston could be the destination for Walker with a two-year contract around $40 million, while Alonso is looking for a contract of at least five years for $145 million.
Willy Adames
A clearly underrated player. The Dodgers will be involved, which is not good news for other teams. My colleague Alain Usereau leans towards the Toronto Blue Jays in his case. I admit that seeing Bo Bichete at second base would be a good thing. The market is thin for midfield players, which will raise the stakes for Adames. Ha-Seong Kim and Gleyber Torres will be the others to watch in this class which has 18 free agents among the middle infield players. At 29, he could ask for a 5-year contract. It could cost $125 million to get it.
Alex Bregman
Bregman is among only seven third basemen who are now free agents. He has free rein. At 31 years old, he could also demand a 5-year contract, but he will rely on the contract signed by Matt Chapman with the Giants (6 years/$151 million). I don’t understand why teams offer so many years to players aged 31 and over, but hey, that seems to be the deal. If Chapman managed to get this contract, Bregman will have it too and even more. The problem is knowing where it will end up. Very few teams are looking for a third baseman. Seattle Mariners, Jays? A return to the Astros is very likely. Certainly, a file to follow!
Teoscar Hernandez
He’s going to stay with the Dodgers. His integration with his new teammates, with the fans and his performance on the field. What more can I say? The Jays really blew it in his case. Remember, Shohei Ohtani is going to pitch next year and the Dodgers will need that production on offense from Hernandez more than ever. In addition, the Dodgers will only have to pay $70 million for three years to keep him. A little beer for them.
Corbin Burnes
At 30, Burnes still has good years ahead of him. His performance last year confirmed his status as the true number one pitcher in a rotation. It will cost $30 million per year and the negotiations will be long-term. In the era of starters who don’t go very far in their starts, Burnes has pitched an average of six innings per game, which places him among the leaders. He makes the Orioles better, but I don’t think Baltimore will want to give Burnes 6 or 7 years when teams like the Yankees, Mets or even Red Sox could.
Here is a list of free agents who I believe will return to their team for the 2025 season:
1. Blake Snell : Giants
2. Walker Buehler: Dodgers
3. Yusei Kikuchi: Astros
4. Clay Holmes: Yankees
5. Blake Treinen: Dodgers
6. Sean Manaea: Mets
7. Luis Severino: Mets
8. Tyler O’Neill: Red Sox
9. Clayton Kershaw: Dodgers
10. Jeff Hoffman: Phillies
Here is a list of free agents who I believe will not return to their team:
1. Gleyber Torres
2. Alex Verdugo
3. Danny Jansen
4. Justin Verlander
5. Anthony Santander
6. Jurickson Profar
7. Ha-Seong Kim
8. Nathan Eovaldi
9. Max Scherzer
10. Jack Flaherty
So there you have it, the table is set for the next few weeks. One thing is certain, the winter months are going to be active in major baseball!
