The 2025 MLB World Series is officially in the books, and the Los Angeles Dodgers once again sit atop the baseball world. Now, for a second year in a row, every team in the league’s focus is on improving its roster this winter to better compete with the back-to-back champions.
MLB free agency will be a prominent way clubs get better this offseason. With that in mind, we rank the top 20 free agents on the open market this year.
20. Gleyber Torres
While he had similar stats to last year, 2025 went a long way toward changing the narrative on Gleyber Torres and his ability to be a key part of a contender. Sure, his defense is not great, but he is decent up the middle and has always brought above-average pop to the plate during his career.
- Gleyber Torres stats: .256 AVG, .358 OBP, .387 SLG, .745 OPS, 16 HR, 74 RBI, 79 R
19. Robert Suarez (Opt-Out)
An elite closer will always interest teams around the game, especially those who feel they are a good one away from winning their division in 2026. Outside of one rough season, Robert Suarez has remained one of the better relievers and closers in the game the last four years. He has two All-Star games on his resume and is sure to get a very healthy contract this offseason, especially from franchises that don’t get Edwin Diaz.
- Robert Suarez stats: 40 saves, 2.97 ERA, 0.904 WHIP, 75 SO, 16 BB, 69.2 IP
18. Kazuma Okamoto
After 11 seasons in the NPB, Kazuma Okamoto is bringing his talents to the big league. He is an underrated power bat and is a better contact hitter than his countryman, Murakami. While he is expected to play first in the big leagues, he has played both corner outfield spots in Japan. Giving him unique defensive versatility to go along with above-average hitting.
- Kazuma Okamoto stats: .322 AVG, .411 OBP, .581 SLG, .992 OPS, 15 HR, 51 RBI, 39 R
17. Shane Bieber
One-time Cy Young winner Shane Bieber returned from Tommy John surgery late in 2025 and proved he is ready to return to being a frontline pitcher in the big leagues. While teams stayed away following surgery last year, the 30-year-old two-time All-Star will get a lot of interest this winter, which could drive up the price on the eight-year veteran.
- Shane Bieber stats: 4-2 record, 3.57 ERA, 1.017 WHIP, 37 SO, 7 BB, 40.1 IP
16. Josh Naylor
Over the last few years, Josh Naylor has consistently proven he is a talented big league hitter who can be slotted into the middle of the order on any team, especially a contender. The first baseman offers rock-solid defense, is a lock to hit over 20 homers each year, and will be the backup option for teams who fail to land Pete Alonso in MLB free agency.
- Josh Naylor stats: .295 AVG, .353 OBP, .462 SLG, .816 OPS, 20 HR, 92 RBI, 81 R
15. Zac Gallen
One-time All-Star Zac Gallen is one of the intriguing pitchers on this year’s market. In 2022 and 2023, the Arizona Diamondbacks veteran had become one of the premier pitchers in the NL, especially after a 17-9 two years ago. However, in the two years since he started to steadily decline, and finished with 15 losses in 2025. Is he eroding as a pitcher at 30? Was he the victim of bad luck? Teams will wonder, but at the very least, he is a proven veteran and a legit innings eater.
- Zac Gallen stats: 13-15 record, 4.83 ERA, 1.260 WHIP, 175 SO, 66 BB, 192.0 IP
14. Munetaka Murakami
For teams that can’t compete in the market for Alonso and Schwarber, or have a clear need at the corner infield spots, Japanese import Munetaka Murakami will have a lot of suitors. The eight-year NPB veteran is only 25 and has been one of the league’s premier home run hitters. Topping out at 56 three years ago. There is a greater risk in Japanese everyday players than pitchers, but Murakami’s mix of power and overall good hitting skills makes him worth it this winter.
- Munetaka Murakami stats: .286 AVG, .392 OBP, .659 SLG, 1.051 OPS, 25 HR, 52 RBI, 40 R
13. Eugenio Suarez
In the first half of 2025, Eugenio Suarez was a legit MVP candidate. However, he slumped big time after getting traded to the Seattle Mariners in the summer. Nevertheless, clubs around the league put a high value on legit power hitters, and there is no doubt about Suarez’s ability to do that after a 49-homer season this year. Plus, his versatility in the infield gives him extra value before he eventually transitions to being a DH.
- Eugenio Suarez stats: .228 AVG, .298 OBP, .526 SLG, .824 OPS, 49 HR, 118 RBI, 91 R
12. Dylan Cease
When Dylan Cease is on, he can be a legit MLB ace and a top 10 pitcher. However, he can also be inconsistent from year to year, and 2025 was a down season at a bad time for the seven-year veteran. However, he is only going to be 30 and is an elite strikeout pitcher even in down seasons. He will still get a strong offer from a pitching-needy team because of his immense upside in prime years.
- Dylan Cease stats: 8-12 record, 4.55 ERA, 1.327 WHIP, 215, 71 BB, 168.0 IP
11. Ranger Suarez
Eight-year veteran Ranger Suarez has proven the past two seasons that he can be a very good middle-of-the-rotation pitcher for a winning team (12-8 record both years). So for clubs that won’t be able to afford Cease, Valdez, or King, and need a No. 2 starter, Suarez will be a popular choice in the second tier of starting pitchers this offseason.
- Ranger Suarez stats: 12-8 record, 3.20 ERA, 1.220 WHIP, 151 SO, 38 BB, 157.1 IP
10. Tatsuya Imai
Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai is being overshadowed by the big bats from his country, also set to hit MLB free agency this winter. He has a mid-90s fastball that can reach the high-90s when he needs it. Has a wipeout slider, and he mixes in a changeup, splitter, curveball, and sinker. He is durable and projects to be a pretty good No. 2 or 3 starter in MLB and would likely be cheaper than Framber Valdez, Dylan Cease, or Michael King.
- Tatsuya Imai stats: 10-5 record, 1.92 ERA, 0.892 WHIP, 178 SO, 45 BB, 163.2 IP
9. Edwin Diaz (Opt-Out)
There were fears in 2024 that Edwin Diaz might not be able to return to elite form after breaking his leg two years ago. This season, he proved once again why he is one of the best closers in the game, if not the best. Bullpens are highly volatile, and giving any reliever a huge contract is a big risk. But a shutdown closer is so valuable for a contending team. If Diaz opts out, he will have a ton of interest; the question is how many teams balk at the idea of a long-term deal.
- Edwin Diaz stats: 28 saves, 1.63 ERA, 0.874, 98 SO, 21 BB, 66.1 IP
8. Cody Bellinger
Nine-year veteran has completely put to bed any questions about his game when he went into a shocking three-year slump at the beginning of the decade. He was everything the Yankees hoped for this year as high level middle of the order hitter who also brings meaningful versatility in the field. The 30-year-old will have a lot of interest this year, including from both New York teams.
- Cody Bellinger stats: .272 AVG, .334 OBP, .480 SLG, .813 OPS, 29 HR, 98 RBI, 89 R
7. Bo Bichette
Toronto Blue Jays homegrown star Bo Bichette is one of the very best offensive shortstops in the game. He has solid pop in his bat, speed, and can hit for average in an era where that continues to become more and more rare. The big problem, and why he wasn’t higher on our list, is that he has had big issues staying healthy the last three years and missed the final month of 2025. Teams will want to do a deep dive on his medicals before handing out a long-term pact.
- Bo Bichette stats: .311 AVG, .357 OBP, .483 SLG, .840 OPS, 18 HR, 94 RBI, 78 R
6. Framber Valdez
Framber Valdez has been such a good player for the Astros during his eight-year career because not only is he a very good No. 2 or 3 starter, but he is also steady and consistent. He is a lock for double-digit wins and an ERA in the threes or lower every year, and is an innings eater. He would be higher on this list, but an ugly moment where he purposely threw at a teammate following a mix-up on a pitch in the second half has brought up a lot of questions about his character.
- Framber Valdez stats: 13-11 record, 3.66 ERA, 1.245 ERA, 187 SO, 68 BB, 192.0
5. Michael King (Opt-Out)
New York Yankees and San Diego Padres veteran Michael King has quietly been a very good front-line starter for several years now. He has performed under the NYC spotlight and showed that the Pads got a solid return when they traded Juan Soto two years ago. While injuries hampered him for much of this season, the 30-year-old is right in his prime, is usually durable, and can handle the big stage better than most.
- Michael King stats: 5-3 record, 3.44 ERA, 1.200 WHIP, 76 SO, 26 BB, 73.1 IP
4. Pete Alonso (Opt-Out)
New York Mets great Pete Alonso had a shockingly weak free agent market a year ago. Many were skiddish about giving the 30-year-old a long-term deal. Well, he quieted his detractors with a big season in 2025 and showed he is nowhere close to slowing down. The first-baseman can transition to being a DH later in his career, which should make more clubs willing to give him the four or five-year deal he wants for pretty good money.
- Pete Alonso stats: .272 AVG, .347 OBP, .524 SLG, .871 OPS, 38 HR, 126 RBI, 87 R
3. Alex Bregman (Opt-Out)
Alex Bregman is often overlooked when it comes to conversations about the best players in the game. While some top stars will have better numbers year-to-year, Bregman has consistently been a high-level player for almost all of the last decade. Combine that with top-shelf defense, and the Boston Red Sox star will have quite a few suitors again for his return to MLB free agency this winter.
- Alex Bregman stats: .273 AVG, .360 OBP, .462 SLG, .821 OPS, 18 HR, 62 RBI, 64 R
2. Kyle Schwarber
The big knock on stud Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber is his age. He will be 33 at the start of the 2026 season. That would usually make most teams wary. However, it has been proven time and again that DHs can be great well into their 30s. After being an MVP candidate in 2025 and smashing 56 homers, he is sure to get a multi-year deal for a high annual rate.
- Kyle Schwarber stats: .240 AVG, .365 OBP, .563 SLG, .928 OPS, 56 HR, 132 RBI, 111 R
1. Kyle Tucker
Despite having a very rough second half, months before MLB free agency, former Houston Astros star Kyle Tucker was viewed as the best player in this class. The four-time All-Star, of course, has an impressive resume and a trio of seasons with around 30 homers. But the reason he is expected to get a massive contract this winter is because he will only be 29 at the start of next season and is right in the middle of his prime.
- Kyle Tucker stats: .266 AVG, .377 OBP, .464 SLG, .841 OPS, 22 HR, 73 RBI, 91 R
