Halloween is a scary day on the calendar every year, but for many front offices around Major League Baseball, that’s more true this year than others. The upcoming free agent class in MLB is loaded with lineup and rotation-changing players. Checkbooks are going to be open early and often this winter as teams chase the Dodgers for a championship in 2025.
Let’s get ready for this winter’s free agent class by putting together a lineup of the best available free agents at each position. We aren’t going to include players with player/team/mutual options, but players who are likely to opt out of their current contracts will be considered.
Here’s your all-free agency roster for the upcoming winter.
Catcher–Danny Jansen
This year’s backstop class isn’t great, but there are some intriguing options. Jansen, 30, posted 2.5 WAR (per Baseball Reference) this past season. That isn’t the best mark among free-agent catchers; Kyle Higashioka was a 2.9 WAR player but he’s 35. Carson Kelly is also a strong option behind the plate and he, too, is only 30 years old.First Base–Pete Alonso
There are some incredibly strong options on the market this winter—if you’re willing to give good money to a player over 30. Alonso is the biggest name and, at 30, the youngest impact bat. But Christian Walker is the better defender and had a 6.8 WAR season. At 34, he might be in line for less term and dollars but he is a quality player. Paul Goldschmidt is 37 but can still produce. Josh Bell, 32, and Rhys Hoskins, 32, could also be available.Second Base–Gleyber Torres
This is not a good class at second base. Torres, 28, posted 5.3 WAR this past season but his defense at second leaves a lot to be desired. Behind him, 36-year-old Whit Merrifield is likely the best option on the market.Shortstop–Willy Adames
Adames is a legitimate all-star caliber shortstop who posted 8.0 WAR and is only 29 years old. He could be set to make a lot of money this winter at a premium position. This class isn’t loaded, either, but players such as Jose Iglesias, Amed Rosario, and Nick Ahmed could be intriguing depth players.Third Base–Alex Bregman
Bregman, 31, has dealt with injuries and the cloud of the Astros cheating scandal is still in the past. But he’s the best third baseman on the market this year. JD Davis is the only other noteworthy third baseman available.Left Field–Jurickson Profar
Between Profar and Tyler O’Neill, there are two top-tier options available in left field. Profar, 32, was the top prospect in all of baseball a long time ago as a shortstop but has evolved into a very good offensive and defensive outfielder. Michael Conforto and Alex Verdugo will also get paid to play left next year.Centerfield–Cody Bellinger
Bellinger could also be in the mix as a first baseman if a team (like the Yankees) needs him there; he’s a plus defender in center, right, and at first. At just 29 years old, he’s expected to opt out with the Cubs after posting 6.7 WAR this past season. Harrison Bader or Michael Taylor would be the other options in center when Bellinger comes off the board.Right Field–Juan Soto
Soto, 26, is a rare superstar who will hit the market entering his age-26 season after posting a 14.2 WAR season. He could sign the richest deal in the history of the game, and his agent (Scott Boras) will certainly do his job to make that a reality. If you can’t spend enormous money on Soto, there are some good options to fall back on in right. Anthony Santander (5.9 WAR) and Teoscar Hernández (5.4 WAR) are both middle-of-the-lineup options.
New York Yankees' Juan Soto celebrates after hitting a three-run home run against the Cleveland Guardians during the 10th inning in Game 5 of the baseball AL Championship Series in Cleveland, Ohio, on Oct. 19, 2024. Jeff Roberson/AP Photo
Designated Hitter–JD Martinez
Marcell Ozuna (club option) and Joc Pederson (mutual option) had better WAR seasons and are younger than Martinez, but we’re not considering them for our all-free agency roster. After those three, there’s a big dip in pure DHs this winter.Starting Pitchers–Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, Blake Snell, Yusei Kikuchi, Jack Flaherty
This class could change dramatically if Gerrit Cole opts out, but that isn’t likely. Burnes has a Cy Young Award at home, so he’ll be the headliner for teams looking for a potential ace. And, at 30, he’s young enough that there’s some prime left on his timeline. If you’re looking for a front-of-the-rotation starter, Fried (31) and Snell (32) are also guys who have performed well.If a team wants a big name future Hall of Famer, Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer will also be available this winter. Some other notable names available in the starting pitching market are Nick Martinez, Nick Pivetta, Andrew Heaney, and Shane Beiber.
Bullpen–Blake Treinen, Tanner Scott, Jeff Hoffman, Clay Holmes, Carlos Estévez
Treinen gets the headline spot here because of his postseason performance. He’s 37 now but he’s been a big-game closer. Scott and Hoffman are a couple of guys coming off really good seasons in their early 30s who could be seen as key setup or closer role guys. Estévez, 32, is also a reliable late-inning option.A few other notable bullpen names who could be available this winter are Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen, Chris Martin, and Kirby Yates. They all have a lot of closer experience but are in their late 30s so it would be a gamble on anything with term.
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