MLB free agency opens tomorrow at 5 p.m. EST, and over the next few months players will gradually sign.
This article will focus on the hitting side of free agency, while tomorrow’s story will feature the pitchers.
The biggest name is Chicago Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker. The Cubs are going to give a large offer to Tucker, but as the hottest name on the market, they won’t be alone.
The New York Mets, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers should all be expected to be in the running, given historical spending trends and a need for an outfield bat for all three.
The San Francisco Giants are another name to watch, as the team finished bottom ten in both slugging and on-base percentage.
The next big name is Philadelphia Phillies’ DH and MVP finalist Kyle Schwarber. With Philly looking to keep their contention window alive, they’ll do everything in their power to keep Schwarber.
With Luis Arraez and Ryan O’Hearn both set to hit the market, coupled with a power-lacking offense this season, the San Diego Padres are quietly a great fit for Schwarber.
Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger officially opted out of his contract. Bellinger’s numbers favor him against lefties and at home, he has a .200 better OPS in Yankee Stadium, courtesy of the short porch.
Because of this, re-signing Bellinger makes a lot of sense for New York. But the cross-town rival Mets could look to poach a big-time Yankee free agent for the second straight year, following their record contract with Juan Soto last offseason.
The Mets could also look to poach Yankees’ centerfielder Trent Grisham, who’s coming off by far the best year of his career. Grisham’s splits favor him on the road, making it seem as though the short porch didn’t do all too much for him.
The Yankees are unlikely to be involved due to other focuses, but a team like the Giants or Tigers may be instead. As the Giants are in desperate need of offense, especially on the power side.
Boston Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman will be a free agent for the second straight year, and in such a premium position he’s sure to accrue great interest, including from Boston themselves.
The Seattle Mariners will likely not be retaining the services of Eugenio Suarez, so Bregman would be a great fit if they open the bank. The Detroit Tigers are also in dire need of a third baseman.
Suarez’s stellar start to the year turned sour upon his return to Seattle, with a .682 OPS there that tanked his value.
Suarez will turn 35 next year, and his age plus poor numbers in Seattle will likely earn him a short-term deal. Detroit could be a good fit, while the Los Angeles Angels will also have a logical opening.
Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor will also hit the market. He was a perfect fit in Seattle during his few months there, and the team is likely to prioritize keeping him around.
If he leaves, the Texas Rangers, Arizona Diamondbacks and Minnesota Twins are logical fits.
The Padres’ Ryan O’Hearn should garner interest from the same teams as Naylor, as both are first basemen with similar skills.Â
Mets first baseman Pete Alonso’s free agency last year was murky, and he did not sign until February as nobody was willing to offer him the long-term, high salary deal he desired.
Alonso answered this disinterest with arguably his best year since his rookie 2019. While his defense is still alarming, he should receive extensive interest.
Of course, the Mets will be near the top of the list. But anybody looking purely for a bat will be involved as well.
Should the Yankees commit to Ben Rice as the full-time catcher, they may show interest. The Twins are a top fit for the second straight year, and Seattle may be involved should Naylor walk.
If Schwarber leaves, the Phillies may try and replace him with Alonso. Bryce Harper would retain duties at first, while Alonso would become a full-time DH.
Gleyber Torres is yet another player returning after being a free agent last year. Detroit will show interest, though they could improve elsewhere and return Colt Keith to second.The Giants and Atlanta Braves are good external fits.
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette is likely to re-sign with the defending AL champs, though his poor defense likely means a move to second base full-time next year. If he were to leave, the Giants and Tigers would be quality fits.
Japanese third baseman Munetaka Murakami has been posted for this offseason, meaning the 25-year-old can sign with an MLB team. Murakami isn’t a great defender and has a high strikeout rate, but his numbers in the NPB have otherwise been stellar with extreme power.
The Dodgers, Mariners and Yankees are the most connected teams to Murakami, with the Mariners having the best logical fit.
29-year-old third baseman Kazuma Okamoto will be available as well, though his skills feature more on-base-oriented hitting than Murakami.
While the Mariners are again a good fit, Okamoto’s contact skills coupled with him being a quality third base bat make him a perfect fit for the Yankees.
Though not as impressive as last year, this year’s free agent hitting class is a strong one for any team willing to dish a larger contract out. Free agency opens in two days, and it’s only a matter of time before one of these players come off the board.