MLB free agents: Best players at every position during 2025-26 offseason

The World Series has come and gone, so players with expiring contracts are officially free agents. The MLB free agent signing period starts on Nov. 6 at 5 p.m. ET. Some big-name players will be plucked off the market right away, but there will be plenty of great players who don't sign until deep into winter or even spring of 2026. There is depth on the open market all across the diamond this year. So, who are the best players at every position set to hit free agency?

Catcher: 

1. J.T. Realmuto. Philadelphia Phillies
2. Salvador Perez, Kansas City Royals, club option
3. Danny Jansen, Milwaukee Brewers
4. Christian Vasquez, Minnesota Twins
5. Elias Diaz, San Diego Padres, mutual option

The Philadelphia Phillies were talented but old last season, meaning that their championship window is coming to a close soon. The possibility of losing J.T. Realmuto won't help. Salvador Perez is past his prime, but he is still one of the best catchers in MLB history, and he still has a little something left in the tank. Christian Vasquez and Elias Diaz are coming off down seasons with the bat, whereas Danny Jansen had a productive year at the plate.

Shortstop: 

1. Bo Bichette, Toronto Blue Jays
2. Trevor Story, Boston Red Sox
3. Ha-Seong Kim, Atlanta Braves
4. Miguel Rojas, Los Angeles Dodgers
5. Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Toronto Blue Jays

Bo Bichette missed much of the playoffs, but he returned to the Toronto Blue Jays just in time to nearly help them win the World Series. Despite Toronto coming up just short, they need to pay Bichette handsomely. He was leading the American League in hits before his late-season injury. Isiah Kiner-Falefa, a utility player, was also on Toronto's pennant-winning team. Speaking of the World Series, Miguel Rojas was the Los Angeles Dodgers' Game 7 hero. He now hits free agency, as do Trevor Story and Ha-Seong Kim, the former of which reestablished some of his power this past season.

First base:

1. Pete Alonso, New York Mets
2. Josh Naylor, Seattle Mariners
3. Luis Arraez, San Diego Padres
4. Ryan O'Hearn, San Diego Padres
5. Carlos Santana, Chicago Cubs

Pete Alonso has been one of the franchise staples for the New York Mets for some time now. He is one of the best home run hitters in baseball. Josh Naylor was a trade deadline get for the Seattle Mariners who helped the team in their postseason push. Ryan O'Hearn was also a trade deadline acquisition for the San Diego Padres. Last season was a breakout year of sorts for O'Hearn. His first base partner in San Diego, Luis Arraez, is also hitting the open market. Arraez isn't the average first baseman, as he is a converted second baseman who relies more so on contact than power. Carlos Santana is a journeyman who has had 10 different MLB stints over the course of his career.

Second base: 

1. Gleyber Torres, Detroit Tigers
2. Ozzie Albies, Atlanta Braves, club option
3. Brandon Lowe, Tampa Bay Rays, club option
4. Willi Castro, Chicago Cubs
5. Jorge Polanco, Seattle Mariners, player option

Gleyber Torres and Brandon Lowe had great seasons in contract years. Both shortstops made the All-Star Game before hitting free agency. Ozzie Albies also has three All-Star nods to his name, although he played a part in the Atlanta Braves' disappointing season. The Chicago Cubs and Seattle Mariners may struggle to afford Willi Castro and Jorge Polanco, respectively, considering how much star talent they have hitting the open market.

Third base:

1. Alex Bregman, Boston Red Sox
2. Eugenio Suarez, Seattle Mariners
3. Yoan Moncada, Los Angeles Angels
4. Max Muncy, Los Angeles Dodgers, club option
5. Kike Hernandez, Los Angeles Dodgers

The Boston Red Sox's decision to choose Alex Bregman over Rafael Devers will bite them in the butt if Alex Bregman leaves in free agency. The reigning champion Dodgers don't have a lot of their stars hitting free agency after winning the World Series, but they do have a number of key role players hitting the open market. Max Muncy and Kike Hernandez both have three World Series titles with the team. Yoan Moncada never lived up to his potential, but he is a serviceable third baseman. Eugenio Suarez had a huge year at the plate, as he belted 49 home runs over the fence.

Left field: 

1. Rob Refsnyder, Boston Red Sox
2. Miguel Andujar, Cincinnati Reds
3. Jesse Winker, New York Mets
4. Austin Hays, Cincinnati Reds, mutual option
5. Michael Conforto, Los Angeles Dodgers

Left field is the weakest position group in free agency this year. Rob Refsnyder, Miguel Andujar, Jesse Winker, Austin Hays, and Michael Conforto are the top options. Conforto wasn't even on the Dodgers' postseason roster.

Center field: 

1. Cody Bellinger, New York Yankees
2. Harrison Bader, Philadelphia Phillies, mutual option
3. Trent Grisham, New York Yankees
4. Cedric Mullins, New York Mets
5. Michael A. Taylor, Chicago White Sox

Two New York Yankees' center fielders, Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham, are set to hit free agency. Cedric Mullins finished his last season across town playing for the New York Mets. Harrison Bader was on fire after being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies last season. Bader batted .305 over 50 games with the Phillies.

Right field: 

1. Kyle Tucker, Chicago Cubs
2. Mike Yastrzemski, Kansas City Royals
3. Ramon Laureano, San Diego Padres, club option
4. Max Kepler, Philadelphia Phillies
5. Starling Marte, New York Mets

Kyle Tucker is arguably the best free agent available this offseason. The Chicago Cubs will certainly want him back. Ramon Laureano has a club option on his contract that the Padres very well may pick up because the outfielder was a revelation once being added at the trade deadline. Mike Yastrzemski, Max Kepler, and Starling Marte are also free agents.

Designated hitter: 

1. Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies
2. Marcell Ozuna, Atlanta Braves
3. Joc Pederson, Texas Rangers, can opt out; Rangers can void club option

The best designated hitters on the open market are old and nearing retirement age. DHs can last a while in major league baseball, though, and Kyle Schwarber, Marcell Ozuna, and Joc Pederson still have some juice. Schwarber, in particular, combines power and plate discipline unlike anybody else in baseball.

Starting pitcher: 

1. Framber Valdez, Houston Astros
2. Dylan Cease, San Diego Padres
3. Ranger Suarez, Philadelphia Phillies
4. Jack Flaherty, Detroit Tigers, can opt out
5. Shota Imanaga, Chicago Cubs

There are a bunch of intriguing starting pitching options in free agency this year. Framber Valdez has long been the perennially contending Houston Astros' ace, and Dylan Cease is one of the hardest-throwing starters in baseball. Ranger Suarez, Jack Flaherty, and Shota Imanaga are all top-half of the rotation starters, too, as are Chris Sale, Chris Bassitt, Merrill Kelly, and Michael King.

Relief pitcher: 

1. Devin Williams, New York Yankees
2. Edwin Diaz, New York Mets
3. Robert Suarez, San Diego Padres
4. Andres Munoz, Seattle Mariners, club option
5. Pete Fairbanks, Tampa Bay Rays, club option

Devin Williams and Edwin Diaz are both two-time Reliever of the Year award winners, and Robert Suarez and Andres Munoz have both been in each of the last two All-Star games.