Major League Baseball’s offseason is like no other, as just five days after the postseason concludes players are allowed to sign with a new team.
Now that the Dodgers have defeated the Yankees in five games, free agents are allowed to negotiate and sign with other teams starting at 5 p.m. ET on Nov. 4.
The 2025 free agent class is highly regarded as it is headlined by outfielder (OF) Juan Soto and starting pitcher (SP) Corbin Burnes. Here are the top 20 free agents with potential landing spots and final predictions.
The 2025 offseason will also have tons of movement on the trade front. Predictions for players who are rumored to be available will be featured below also.
1.) Juan Soto, OF, (age 25)
Soto, who is coming off a fantastic year with the Yankees, has a chance to cross the 600 million dollar threshold when it is all said and done. Many teams will call, however only a handful are willing to go above and beyond to secure Soto’s talents. In the end it will be a New York showdown. Will Steinbrenner or Cohen win this winter crosstown classic? Only time will tell.
Potential Fits: Yankees, Mets, Giants, Nationals, Dodgers
Prediction: Yankees, 15/ 675 million
2.) Corbin Burnes, SP, (age 29)
Burnes, in one year with the Orioles, showed why he is going to be the top pitcher on the open market. The Orioles would be foolish not to secure Burnes’ talents for years to come, but have shown hesitation to sign long term contracts. I cannot say the same about Steve Cohen and the Mets who will be willing to pay the type of contract Burnes will command on the open market. There is also the possibility of a surprise team swooping in like the Cubs or Nationals.
Potential Fits: Orioles, Mets, Nationals, Rangers, Cubs, Red Sox
Prediction: Mets, 8/ 240 million
3.) Willy Adames, IF, (age 29)
Adames, who is coming off a career year at the right time, now gets to cash out on what will probably be the last contract of his career. His price tag will be outside what the Brewers will be willing to pay and Adames will move onto greener pastures. Perennial contenders and spenders like the Dodgers and Braves both need a starting shortstop, while the Giants continue their search for a superstar with Buster Posey now at the helm.
Potential Fits: Braves, Giants, Dodgers, Padres
Prediction: Giants, 7/ 190 million
4.) Gerrit Cole, SP, (age 34)
In a shocker Yankees SP Gerrit Cole opted out of his contract. This leaves the decision up to the Yankees whether Cole reaches the open market or not. Yankees can add another year onto the contract and keep Cole in NY or let him walk. I believe Cole will be elsewhere in 2025, leaving the pinstripes for another opportunity.
Potential Fits: Yankees, Astros, Giants, Dodgers, Mets
Prediction: Giants, 4/ 155 million
5.) Jack Flaherty, SP, (age 28)
After uncertainty and injury plagued seasons, Flaherty has returned his reputation back to being that top of the rotation arm. He will have a large market with a lot of varying contracts. Does he take the short term, high AAV deal or a longer term deal with more guaranteed money? I think the 28 year old will sign for something right in the middle and hit free agency again at age 33.
Potential Fits: Cubs, Royals, Dodgers, Padres, Mets, Nationals, Braves, Red Sox
Prediction: Cubs, 5/ 110 million
6.) Blake Snell, SP, (age 31)
Snell will be on Scott Boras to get a deal done much quicker than last offseason after Snell finished with an elite second half of the season. After the all-star break, Snell returned to his 2023 self. Giants president Buster Posey has already labeled getting a deal done with Snell a priority entering free agency, but Snell will have his options.
Potential Fits: Giants, Rangers, Dodgers, Yankees, Mets
Prediction: Yankees, 3/ 110 million
7.) Anthony Santander, OF, (age 29)
Santander is coming off a really nice season in 2024. After 44 home runs, Santander is going to cash out this offseason. Teams are always looking for ways to put more pop in their lineup and Santander will not cost you the 600 plus million that a Soto will. I expect Santander to wait until Soto signs so he can maximize his market.
Potential Fits: Mariners, Blue Jays, Cubs, Mets, Pirates, Royals
Prediction: Blue Jays, 5/ 135 million
8.) Max Fried, SP, (age 30)
Fried’s time with the Braves has come to an end. Atlanta has a knack for giving their guys extensions prior to free agency, however, they were not able to come to an agreement with Fried. The California kid now gets to go home.
Potential Fits: Cubs, Rangers, Mets, Braves, Red Sox, Dodgers
Prediction: Dodgers, 5/ 115 million
9.) Alex Bregman, 3B, (age 30)
Is it the end of an era in Houston? Bregman now hits the open market with tons of uncertainty. Houston may have to cut payroll and if that is the case, then bringing back Bregman becomes even more unlikely. Bregman will have plenty of suitors who are looking for a middle of the order bat and veteran presence in the clubhouse.
Potential Fits: Blue Jays, Astros, Giants, Nationals, Tigers
Prediction: Tigers, 6/ 150 million
10.) Teoscar Hernández, OF, (age 31)
Hernández is coming off an excellent 2024 campaign with the Dodgers. He has already stated he would love to be back, however with many holes in the rotation and Juan Soto rumors, Hernández could jump the market and sign elsewhere long term. I see a scenario where the right handed power bat takes less money to stay in Los Angeles.
Potential Fits: Tigers, Nationals, Red Sox, Mariners, Royals, Angels
Prediction: Dodgers, 5/ 100 million
11.) Pete Alonso, 1B, (age 29)
Potential Fits: Nationals, Mets, Mariners
Prediction: Mariners, 7/ 185 million
12.) Ha-Seong Kim, IF, (age 28)
Potential Fits: Braves, Giants, Dodgers
Prediction: Braves, 5/ 80 million
13.) Christian Walker, 1B, (age 33)
Potential Fits: Cubs, Mariners, Mets, Astros, Diamondbacks, Tigers, Giants, Nationals
Prediction: Nationals, 3/ 65 million
14.) Luis Severino, SP, (age 30)
Potential Fits: Mets, Tigers, Nationals, Angels, Pirates, Royals
Prediction: Nationals, 3/ 54 million
15.) Tyler O’Neill, OF, (age 30)
Potential Fits: Tigers, Pirates, Mariners, Red Sox
Prediction: Pirates, 5/ 85 million
16.) Nathan Eovaldi, SP, (age 34)
Potential Fits: Cubs, Royals, Red Sox, Angels, Orioles, Tigers
Prediction: Tigers, 3/ 66 million
17.) Tanner Scott, RP, (age 30)
Potential Fits: Rangers, Phillies, Mets, Yankees
Prediction: Phillies, 5/ 70 million
18.) Yusei Kikuchi, SP, (age 34)
Potential Fits: Tigers, Dodgers, Padres, Mets, Yankees, Red Sox
Prediction: Red Sox, 1/ 15 million
19.) Sean Manaea, SP, (age 32)
Potential Fits: Rangers, Twins, Tigers, Phillies, Mets, Yankees, Red Sox, Nationals
Prediction: Phillies, 4/ 78 million
20.) Shane Bieber, SP, (age 29)
Potential Fits: Cubs, Reds, Tigers, Orioles, Red Sox, Brewers
Prediction: Reds, 1/ 15 million
Trade Predictions for rumored players:
SP Garrett Crochet- Traded to Orioles
OF Luis Robert- Stays with White Sox
SP Sandy Alcántara- Stays with Marlins (for now)
SP Jesús Luzardo- Traded to Mets
IF Bo Bichette- Traded to Dodgers
OF Brent Rooker- Traded to Red Sox
IF Nico Hoerner- Stays with Cubs
UTL Taylor Ward- Stays with Angels
SP Kevin Gausman- Traded to Guardians
1B Josh Naylor- Traded to Blue Jays
IF Vladimir Guerrero Jr.- Stays with Blue Jays and signs extension
