The 15 Best MLB Free Agents in 2024-2025

Major League Baseball is deep into the best part of its season, as only a few teams remain in the hunt for a chance to raise a World Series trophy. Even so, it’s impossible not to salivate at the prospect of teams improving on their chances to win one in 2025, and the MLB free agency class this offseason is shaping up nicely.

One of the greatest hitters in the history of the game is guaranteed to hit free agency this winter, and several others could find themselves searching for new deals should they choose to exit their current ones. This year’s class also features a number of players coming off a strong 2024 after previous down years, meaning 2025 could earn them unexpected paydays.

1. Juan Soto

When the New York Yankees traded half of the franchise for Juan Soto from the San Diego Padres last winter, they very well knew it could be for a one-year rental. That’s because the soon-to-be 26-year-old is in for one of the largest paydays in Major League Baseball history after living up to his hype.

The outfielder is widely expected to get a contract north of $500 million, though he will likely fall short of Shohei Ohtani’s record-setting $700 million deal signed last season. Soto is also expected to garner more than 12 years for his deal. The Washington Nationals had offered him a 15-year, $440 million contract extension in 2022, which he turned down. The Yankees are expected to enter a bidding war with the crosstown rival New York Mets for Soto’s services. However, teams like the Toronto Blue Jays, the Nationals, Boston Red Sox, and select others could also be involved in the process.

2. Gerrit Cole (opt-out)

Soto’s Yankee teammate Gerrit Cole could be one of the top free agents on the market, but it’s not quite certain he’ll get there.

Cole missed half the season due to injury, but rebounded well with a 3.41 ERA and 99 strikeouts in 17 starts. He has an opt-out after this season in the nine-year contract he signed with the Yankees in 2020, however, New York can bring him back into the deal by adding an extra year at the $36 million he’s making annually. For that reason, it is unlikely Cole actually makes it to free agency, though he still may opt out of the deal to force New York’s hand in guaranteeing another year.

3. Blake Snell (opt-out)

Blake Snell is another top arm who could reach free agency, but his situation is much less predictable than Cole’s.

The southpaw missed Spring Training this season after signing with the San Francisco Giants in March. The deal was worth upwards of $62 million, as he has an opt-out this offseason. If he chooses to stay with San Francisco, he’ll make $30 million next season. He got off to a catastrophic start with the Giants, but was exceptional in the final two and a half months. Snell tossed a no-hitter in August, and finished the year with 12.5 strikeouts per nine innings, the highest mark of his career.

4. Corbin Burnes

The Baltimore Orioles went all-in on acquiring rising star Corbin Burnes, and he was fantastic in his 2024 All-Star campaign.

Baltimore may not have won the World Series, but Burnes was ready to take them there had he received the opportunity to pitch deeper into the postseason. He went 15-9 with a 2.92 ERA, striking out 181 batters for the Orioles. Burnes turns 30 next season, but is still likely to command a deal worth well more than $200 million on the open market, with teams like the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies expected to be suitors.

5. Max Fried

Max Fried has had some trouble staying healthy and on the mound for the Atlanta Braves, but when he pitches, he’s extremely valuable.

Fried was an All-Star for the second time in his career in 2024, sporting a 3.25 ERA over 174.1 innings pitched. The 30-year-old was on his way to an all-time great season in 2023, but missed two months with a forearm strain. He also ended his 2024 campaign injured, which could cause some concern. Still, he is expected to be one of the top arms in free agency, and the Braves will likely be in the mix to bring him back.

6. Sean Manaea (player option)

The New York Mets took a $14.5 million flyer on pitcher Sean Manaea this past offseason, and he rewarded them with the best season of his career.

Manaea became the ace of the rotation with Kodei Senga missing most of the season. He was one of the most valuable starters in the league, putting up more than a dozen quality starts and registering an ERA of 3.09 after the trade deadline. He is expected to decline his player option, and could receive up to four years on a new contract.

7. Cody Bellinger (opt-out)

Cody Bellinger hasn’t quite lived up to the promises of his 2019 National League MVP season with the Dodgers, but he was a top free agent last season before signing a three-year deal with the Chicago Cubs full of opt-outs. Now it’s just a matter of whether or not he’ll put one to use this offseason.

If he stays, he’ll make $27.5 million with the Cubs next season, and would be in the same position next year to opt out once more if he wanted. Bellinger had a decent season in Chicago, smashing 18 homers and putting up a 2.2 WAR (Wins Above Replacement). His .307 average from 2023 dipped to .266 though, so there could be concern about his perceived value if he chooses to leave his deal. The Cubs offseason hinges on what Bellinger chooses to do.

8. Willy Adames

Willy Adames has blossomed into one of the best-hitting shortstops in all of Major League Baseball, and he should cash in this offseason.

Adames belted 32 homers for the Milwaukee Brewers this season and drove in 112 runs. His 4.8 WAR was sixth overall in the National League, and he raised his batting average 34 points. Adames should settle in for a contract in the neighborhood of $150 million this offseason, if not higher. Milwaukee has only ever given out one contract in franchise history worth more than that number, so it could end up being on the losing end of retaining his services.

9. Alex Bregman

It’s not quite certain as to where Alex Bregman may end up next season, but whoever obtains the third baseman’s services will be getting one of the best postseason power bats in history.

The homegrown Houston Astros product enters his age 31 season with 19 career postseason homers, and finished second in American League MVP voting in 2019. He hit .260 with 26 home runs in 2024, but the Astros saw their historic run of making seven consecutive ALCS appearances come to a close. Bregman will likely command a contract somewhere between $165 million and $200 million, with the Astros certainly in the running to retain him.

10. Luis Severino

The Mets took another flyer on former Yankees ace Luis Severino after he was one of the worst pitchers in baseball in 2023, and it paid off big time.

Severino had a tremendous bounce-back season for the Mets, posting a 3.91 regular-season ERA, and pitched the most amount of innings he’s thrown since 2018 at 182. Sevy’s fastball found its zip, and his sinker found its bite, meaning he could be on his way to his old self. A similar deal to Manaea seems possible, which is a miracle considering he posted a 6.65 ERA just a season ago.

11. Shane Bieber

Guardians starter Shane Bieber appeared well on his way to being a top arm in this free agency class, but he made just two starts in 2024 before needing Tommy John surgery. This development greatly affected his perceived value for 2025 and beyond.

Still, pitchers often rebound well from the procedure, and he should still sign a nice contract. Bieber has only once had an ERA higher than 4.00, and has a Cy Young Award in his pocket. It’s fair to suggest no team will take a huge gamble on him, and it’s not clear when he would be able to pitch in 2025, but expect Bieber to receive an offer worth up to two years from potential suitors.

12. Kenley Jansen

Kenley Jansen’s days in Boston seem all but over, as the closer left the team before the 2024 season even came to a close after being shut down due to injury. So what can we expect from him going forward?

The 37-year-old is still an extremely effective reliever, making an All-Star appearance for Boston in 2023. He secured 27 saves in 2024, appearing in 54 games and showing he still has a dynamic arsenal. Jansen will likely exceed $70 million on the market, and is the top reliever guaranteed to hit free agency.

13. Pete Alonso

“The Polar Bear” came into 2024 hoping to perform well enough to earn a major contract in 2025, but Pete Alonso’s season was a confusing one.

Alonso did earn an All-Star selection for the New York Mets, but his election was widely criticized by fans. Alonso put up 34 home runs, which was the fewest he’s ever hit in a regular season (not including the 60-game 2020 campaign). He also had a career-low OPS of .788, and struck out 172 times. But Alonso came through in the clutch when the Mets needed it most, hitting a game-winning home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 of their National League Wild Card Series to extend their season. Expect Alonso to be a candidate for a short-term, high-value “prove it” contract with a potential suitor.

14. Gleyber Torres

Alonso’s fellow New Yorker also hoped to cash in big on a strong 2024 season, but failed to live up to the expectations.

The two-time All-Star was the weakest hitter in the Yankees lineup for the first two months of the year, and tied a career-high for 18 errors in the field at second base. He was able to turn his season around, though, after the July 30 trade deadline, hitting .292 with five home runs and a wRC+ of 118. Torres likely came into the season looking for a seven-year deal with more than $110 million, but he’s unlikely to reach anywhere close to that. He is not expected to return to New York.

15. Paul Goldschmidt

The St. Louis Cardinals are moving on from former NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt, who made just one All-Star appearance in six seasons with the club.

Goldschmidt’s numbers were still largely strong with St. Louis, though his productivity dipped significantly in 2024 during his age-36 season. He hit .245 with 22 home runs for the Cards with a career-low .716 OPS. Goldschmidt would benefit from a move to a hitter-friendly park in 2025, and could be a valuable DH option for several teams. Expect a similar short-term contract to what J.D. Martinez received from the Mets in 2024.