MLB free agency is underway and while there’s a lot of attention paid to the top 10 MLB free agents this winter, there’s plenty of impact talent beyond the biggest names. Whether a club needs an All-Star power hitter, a front-line starter or a lights-out reliever in the bullpen, there are several options to choose from this winter.
Let’s dive into our MLB free agency predictions for some of the top free agents outside of the top 10.
Pete Alonso, First Base: Texas Rangers
Pete Alonso will field interest from a variety of clubs, including the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, and Seattle Mariners. However, we think he winds up heading to Texas. In 2025, Texas Rangers first basemen ranked 19th in OPS (.718), and run production became a bigger issue. If Texas can successfully move Adolis Garcia, there should be a path to a four-year deal with the 31-year-old first baseman that would include an opt-out after the 2027 season.
Related: MLB Free Agency Predictions for Top 10 Free Agents
Michael King, Starting Pitcher: San Diego Padres
It seems inevitable that Dylan Cease will depart in MLB free agency, so re-signing Michael King has to be a priority for the San Diego Padres. The 6-foot-3 righty thrived in San Diego, and with the New York clubs focused on other starters, a return home doesn’t seem like a safe bet anymore. Instead, King stays in California with a multi-year deal that locks him into the Padres rotation and gives him a chance to test the open market (player option) a year from now if he can stay healthy.
Related: MLB Rumors Roundup from Free Agency
Josh Naylor, First Base: Seattle Mariners
This feels inevitable. After being traded to the Seattle Mariners, Josh Naylor posted a .299/.341/.490 triple-slash line with 9 home runs and 19 steals in 54 games. He then posted a .967 OPS in the postseason. First base had been a long-standing need for Seattle and Naylor’s left-handed bat fit perfectly into the lineup. There’s just no way the Mariners let him go.
Related: Most Overrated MLB Free Agents 2025-26
Shota Imanaga, Starting Pitcher: Boston Red Sox
We have Alex Bregman re-signing with the Boston Red Sox in our MLB free agency predictions for the top 10 players. However, that still leaves a hole in the rotation. Shota Imanaga has been an effective starter, posting a 3.28 ERA with a 1.01 WHIP over his last two seasons. However, durability has been a bit of an issue, and he does not have outstanding stuff. Both of these factors could push down the price for the 32-year-old starter, making him a more cost-effective mid-rotation pitcher for Boston to add to its rotation.
Related: 2025 MLB Free Agency Rankings
J.T. Realmuto, Catcher: San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres have been in the market for a catcher for some time now. There aren’t any long-term solutions available this winter, but J.T. Realmuto is a viable short-term fix for the club. He’s nowhere near the hitter he used to be, but a .736 OPS over the last three seasons would at least represent an upgrade for the Padres’ lineup. Plus, San Diego gets a veteran backstop who would help out the pitching staff.
Zac Gallen, Starting Pitcher: Chicago Cubs
Unfortunately for Zac Gallen, he’s hitting MLB free agency at a sub-optimal time. In his age-30 season, the veteran righty posted a 4.83 ERA and 1.26 WHIP, surrendering 3.1 walks per 9 innings with just a 2.65 K/BB ratio. That does, however, drive his asking price down into a range the Chicago Cubs would be a lot more comfortable with. A short-term deal works for both sides, with Chicago betting on Gallen returning to form (sub-3.5 ERA) and Gallen allowed to potentially rebound and then test free agency again in a year or two.
Read More: Top Offseason MLB Trade Candidates, Potential Landing Spots
Eugenio Suarez, Third Base: Pittsburgh Pirates
An MLB salary floor is expected to be implemented within the next few seasons, and the Pittsburgh Pirates have a lot of work to do to get above it. The obvious place to start is addressing the lowest-scoring lineup in baseball last season, which produced only 583 runs. Eugenio Suarez can provide Pittsburgh with 30-plus home runs and 80-plus RBIs. What feels just as important for a relatively young team is that he is a great veteran presence to have in the clubhouse.
Devin Williams, Closer: Los Angeles Dodgers
When you have the money to assemble a dynasty and address any area of need on your team, you go all out for it. That’s what we’re anticipating the Los Angeles Dodgers will do this winter. Devin Williams could sign a one-year deal with Los Angeles, proving he can rebound from last season’s struggles (4.79 ERA) while pitching in the late innings for the World Series favorite. If all goes well, Williams will rebound to the standout reliever we saw in Milwaukee and turn the Dodgers bullpen into one of the team’s strengths in 2026.
Trent Grisham, Outfielder: Kansas City Royals
When you’re a small-market team with a glaring need in the outfield, you have to take chances. Trent Grisham could be a one-year wonder, next season possibly returning to the version of the player who posted a .191/.298/.353 triple-slash line from 2022-24. Then again, he truly did seem to figure some things out last season in New York, and his adjustments led to him posting an .811 OPS with 34 home runs. It’s a gamble worth taking for Kansas City, especially since its outfielders ranked 29th in OPS (.633) this past season.
Robert Suarez, Closer: San Francisco Giants
We have the San Francisco Giants taking two big swings in MLB free agency, first grabbing a top hitter and then following up that move with a deal for Robert Suarez. He’s coming off a two-season stretch with a 2.87 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP, averaging 38 saves per season over that span. He could step in immediately and serve as the All-Star closer in the Giants bullpen, strengthening a team that has playoff aspirations in 2026.
