Kyle Schwarber 33, DH, 4.7, 19.9: Schwarber is the leading hitter with 187 home runs in four seasons in Philadelphia, where he was also the club's outstanding leader. He is largely limited to designated hitters and is approaching an age where his offensive output may decline. He still deserves a lucrative multi-year deal, although a deal of more than four years at an average annual cost of $30 million could cause buyer's remorse by 2030.
Kyle Tucker 29, OF, 4.5, 27.3: Although his 2025 bWAR was lower than Bellinger and Schwarber, Tucker may have the highest price tag in this free agent class. Average of forecasts 20 ESPN experts is 10 years and $391.5 million for an AAV worth $38.8 million. The Dodgers are considered top contenders due to their deep pockets and need for a productive corner outfielder.
Eugenio Suarez34, 3B, 3.6, 26.8: Dropping by nearly one win over replacing the top three free agents – Bellinger, Schwarber and Tucker – still puts They areonres in an enviable position. Splitting the season between the Diamondbacks and Mariners, Suarez set career highs with 49 home runs and drove in 118 runs.
Alex Bregman32, 3B, 3.5, 43.1: Even though Bregman's bWAR was slightly lower than Suarez's, he should be in contention for a bigger deal because he's younger and more well-rounded. Bregman missed 44 games due to injury in his one season at Bosto, but put up solid numbers. His 10-year career average bWAR is 4.3.
Trent Grisham29, OF, 3.5, 14.6: Grisham is an enigma, a first-round draft pick who found success with the Padres only to fall below .200 for three straight years. He rebounded in 2025, hitting a career-high 34 home runs for the Yankees. Grisham also has two Gold Gloves in center field.
Bo Bichette28, SS, 3.4, 20.8: Bichette demonstrated his toughness by playing effectively in the World Series despite a lingering knee injury. Bichette is a capable hitter, hitting over 175 in four of the last five seasons with above-average power. He also plays a premium position and won't turn 28 until March, meaning he could get a contract that would only exceed Tucker's.
Bo Bichette of the Toronto Blue Jays hits a three-run home run during Game 7 of the World Series, Nov. 1, 2025, in Toronto.
(Ashley Landis/AP)
Pete Alonso31, 1B, 3.4, 23.3: Alonso was disappointed by the lukewarm interest in him as a free agent last offseason, re-signing with the Mets to a one-year, $30 million deal with a player option. He is expected to test the market again after once again posting the stellar numbers that have made him a fan favorite in New York for seven years.
Josh Naylor28, 1B, 3.1, 8.4: The 5-foot-10, 235-pound left-handed slugger pitched well in 2025, splitting the season between the Diamondbacks and Mariners, batting a career-high .295 and hitting exactly 20 home runs for the third time in five seasons.
Gleyber Torres29, 2B, 2.9, 18.7: Torres he needed to restore his value after agreeing to a one-year deal with the Tigers following a disappointing 2024 season with the Yankees. He did it gradually and this time he should sign a solid multi-year contract.
JT Realmuto35, C, 2.6, 38.8: Realmuto is recognized as one of the best catchers in baseball, and he is clearly the best defender in free agency, proving in 2025 that he can still catch up over 130 games while putting up solid offensive numbers. However, he would be 35 on opening day, and his .700 OPS was the lowest in a decade.
Jorge Polanco32, 2B, 2.6, 20.7: Polanco hit 26 home runs and posted an .821 OPS, the hitter's best season since 2021, when he hit 33 home runs and drove in 98 runs. Chronic knee problems have left his days as a shortstop behind him and have reduced his range at second or third base, but the bat still plays.
Mike Yastrzemski35, OF, 2.6, 16.8: Hall of Fame grandson though Carl Yastrzemski posted his best OPS (.839) since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, he may only be considering one-year contract offers worth $10 million or so.
Ryan O'Hearn31, 1B/DH, 2.4, 3.1: O'Hearn – A veteran left-handed hitter who spent the season between the Orioles and Padres. He can expect a significant raise from the $3.5 million he earned in 2025, perhaps tripling it.
Marcel Ozuna35, OF/DH, 1.6, 29.5: Ozuna is a proven power bat who topped 20 home runs in nine seasons and led the NL with 18 homers and 56 RBIs in the pandemic-shortened 2020. After stunning 2023 and 2024 seasons in which he hit 79 homers and 204 RBIs, Ozuna slipped out of the 2025 game, batting .232 with 21 home runs and battling hip soreness.
Luis Arraez29, 1B, 1.3, 16.5: That's all doesn't get much love from bWAR or fWAR, but he's confident he can hit, leading all major leaguers with a .317 lifetime batting average. He led the National League with 181 hits in 2025, but because he doesn't hit hard and doesn't walk much, his OPS was a pedestrian .719. The three-time batting champion will still be paid about $14 million a year, and the question is for how long.
Paul Goldschmidt38, 1B, 1.2, 63.8: Goldschmidt boasts the highest career bWAR of any free agent hitter, and he's made it clear he's not ready to retire. However, his productivity tends to decline, especially his power. With just 10 homers and 45 RBIs in 534 at-bats for the Yankees last season, Goldschmidt is no longer an elite hitter.
Victor Caratini32, C, 0.9, 4.3: Catchers are in high demand in this free agent class, and Caratini is one of the few who has a powerful bat and the ability to play over 100 games in a season. He most recently signed a two-year, $12 million deal with the Astros and could receive a similar contract due to a lack of support.
