2025-26 MLB Free Agents: Complete Player Guide by Position
The 2025-26 MLB free agency period is shaping up to be one of the most talent-rich markets in recent memory. With star players like Alex Bregman, Kyle Tucker, and Cody Bellinger potentially hitting the open market, teams will have numerous opportunities to improve their rosters. This comprehensive guide breaks down every player projected to become a free agent after the 2025 season, organized by position to help you understand the landscape.
Catchers
The catching market offers solid veteran options with varying contract situations:
Premium Options:
- J.T. Realmuto (35) – Elite two-way catcher
- Salvador Perez (36) – $13.5MM club option with $2MM buyout
Veteran Depth:
- Austin Barnes (36)
- Victor Caratini (32)
- Elias Diaz (35) – $7MM mutual option with $2MM buyout
- Austin Hedges (33)
- Danny Jansen (31) – $12MM mutual option with $500K buyout
- Luke Maile (35)
- Martin Maldonado (39)
- James McCann (36)
- Tom Murphy (35) – $4MM club option with $250K buyout
- Tomas Nido (32)
- Gary Sanchez (33)
- Jacob Stallings (36)
- Christian Vazquez (35)
First Basemen
First base features several impact bats and potential franchise cornerstones:
Star Players:
- Pete Alonso (31) – Can opt out of remaining one year and $24MM
- Paul Goldschmidt (38) – Future Hall of Famer
- Luis Arraez (29) – Batting champion
Solid Contributors:
- Josh Bell (33)
- Wilmer Flores (34)
- Ty France (31)
- Rhys Hoskins (33) – $18MM mutual option with $4MM buyout
- Josh Naylor (29)
- Ryan O’Hearn (32)
- Carlos Santana (40)
- Dominic Smith (31)
- Donovan Solano (38)
- Rowdy Tellez (31)
- Justin Turner (41) – $10MM mutual option with $2MM buyout
- LaMonte Wade Jr. (32)
Second Basemen
The second base market offers a mix of youth and experience:
Top Options:
- Ozzie Albies (29) – $7MM club option with $4MM buyout
- Gleyber Torres (29) – Yankees star
Quality Depth:
- Cavan Biggio (31)
- Kyle Farmer (34) – $4MM mutual option with $750K buyout
- Adam Frazier (34)
- Jose Iglesias (36)
- Nicky Lopez (31)
- Brandon Lowe (31) – $11.5MM club option with $500K buyout
- Jorge Mateo (31)
- Jorge Polanco (32) – $8MM mutual option with $750K buyout
- Luis Rengifo (29)
- Brendan Rodgers (29)
- Amed Rosario (30)
Shortstops
Shortstop features some intriguing young talent and veteran options:
Premium Players:
- Bo Bichette (28) – Blue Jays star
- Ha-Seong Kim (30) – Can opt out of remaining one year and $16MM
- Trevor Story (33) – Can opt out of remaining two years and $55MM
Role Players:
- Tim Anderson (33)
- Orlando Arcia (31) – $2MM club option with $1MM buyout
- Willi Castro (29)
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa (31)
- Dylan Moore (33)
- Kevin Newman (32) – $2.5MM club option with $250K buyout
- Miguel Rojas (37)
Third Basemen
Third base is headlined by a potential superstar:
Marquee Free Agent:
- Alex Bregman (32) – Can opt out; projected to potentially command $200MM over six years
Supporting Cast:
- Jon Berti (36)
- Paul DeJong (32)
- Enrique Hernandez (34)
- Yoan Moncada (31)
- Max Muncy (35) – $10MM club option
- Luis Rengifo (29)
- Eugenio Suarez (34)
- Luis Urias (29)
- Gio Urshela (34)
- Ildemaro Vargas (34)
- Tyler Wade (31) – $1MM club option with no buyout
Outfielders
The outfield market is loaded with talent across all three positions:
Left Fielders
- Miguel Andujar (31)
- Mark Canha (37)
- Michael Conforto (33)
- Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (32) – $18MM player option
- Austin Hays (30) – $12MM mutual option with $1MM buyout
- Tyler O’Neill (31) – Can opt out of final two years, $33MM
- Tommy Pham (38)
- Rob Refsnyder (35)
- Chris Taylor (35)
- Alex Verdugo (30)
- Jesse Winker (32)
Center Fielders
- Harrison Bader (32) – $10MM mutual option with $1.5MM buyout
- Trent Grisham (29)
- Garrett Hampson (31)
- Travis Jankowski (35)
- Manuel Margot (31)
- Cedric Mullins (31)
- Luis Robert Jr. (28) – $20MM club option with $2MM buyout
- Michael A. Taylor (35)
Right Fielders
Superstar Talent:
- Kyle Tucker (29) – Astros slugger
- Cody Bellinger (30) – $25MM player option with $5MM buyout
Quality Contributors:
- Adam Frazier (34)
- Randal Grichuk (34) – $5MM mutual option with $3MM buyout
- Jason Heyward (36)
- Max Kepler (33)
- Ramon Laureano (31) – $6.5MM club option
- Starling Marte (37)
- Hunter Renfroe (34)
- Austin Slater (33)
- Lane Thomas (30)
- Mike Yastrzemski (35)
Designated Hitters
The DH market offers proven power bats:
- Mitch Garver (35) – $12MM mutual option with $1MM buyout
- Rhys Hoskins (33) – $18MM mutual option with $4MM buyout
- Andrew McCutchen (39)
- Ryan O’Hearn (32)
- Marcell Ozuna (35)
- Joc Pederson (34) – $18.5MM player option
- Kyle Schwarber (33)
- Justin Turner (41) – $10MM mutual option with $2MM buyout
- Jesse Winker (32)
Starting Pitchers
The starting rotation market is exceptionally deep:
Ace-Level Talent:
- Shane Bieber (31) – $16MM player option with $4MM buyout
- Walker Buehler (31) – $25MM mutual option with $3MM buyout
- Zac Gallen (30) – Diamondbacks ace
- Clayton Kershaw (38) – Future Hall of Famer
- Max Scherzer (41) – Three-time Cy Young winner
- Justin Verlander (43) – Future Hall of Famer
Quality Starters:
- Tyler Anderson (36)
- Chris Bassitt (37)
- Paul Blackburn (32)
- JT Brubaker (32)
- Griffin Canning (30)
- Carlos Carrasco (39)
- Dylan Cease (30)
- Aaron Civale (31)
- Alex Cobb (38)
- Patrick Corbin (36)
- Nestor Cortes (31)
- Anthony DeSclafani (36)
- Zach Eflin (32)
- Erick Fedde (33)
- Jack Flaherty (30) – $20MM player option
- Chris Flexen (31)
- Lucas Giolito (30) – $14MM club option
- Austin Gomber (32)
- Jon Gray (34)
- Kyle Hart (33) – $5MM club option with $1MM buyout
- Andrew Heaney (35)
- Kyle Hendricks (36)
- Adrian Houser (33)
- Shota Imanaga (32) – $57MM club option for 2026-28 or $15MM player option for 2026
- Jakob Junis (33)
- Merrill Kelly (37)
- Michael King (31) – $15MM mutual option with $3.75MM buyout
- Zack Littell (30)
- Michael Lorenzen (34) – $12MM mutual option with $1.5MM buyout
- Kenta Maeda (38)
- Tyler Mahle (31)
- German Marquez (31)
- Nick Martinez (35)
- Steven Matz (35)
- Dustin May (28)
- John Means (33) – $6MM club option with no buyout
- Miles Mikolas (37)
- Wade Miley (39)
- Frankie Montas (33) – Can opt out of remaining one year and $17MM
- Jordan Montgomery (33)
- Charlie Morton (42)
- Chris Paddack (30)
- Freddy Peralta (30) – $8MM club option with no buyout
- Martin Perez (35) – $10MM mutual option with $1.5MM buyout
- Cal Quantrill (31)
- Jose Quintana (37) – $15MM mutual option with $2MM buyout
- Colin Rea (35) – $6MM club option with $750K buyout
- Chris Sale (37) – $18MM club option
- Michael Soroka (28)
- Marcus Stroman (35)
- Ranger Suarez (30)
- Tomoyuki Sugano (36)
- Jose Ureña (34)
- Jose Urquidy (31) – $4MM club option
- Framber Valdez (32)
- Brandon Woodruff (32) – $20MM mutual option with $10MM buyout
Relief Pitchers
The bullpen market is loaded with closers and setup men:
Right-Handed Relievers
Elite Closers:
- Edwin Diaz (32) – $18.5MM player option
- Ryan Helsley (31) – Cardinals closer
- Kenley Jansen (38) – Veteran closer
- Raisel Iglesias (36) – Proven closer
Quality Setup Men:
- Shawn Armstrong (35)
- Scott Barlow (33) – $6.5MM club option with $1MM buyout
- Ryan Brasier (38)
- John Brebbia (36)
- Chris Devenski (35)
- Seranthony Dominguez (31)
- Pete Fairbanks (32) – $7MM club option with $1MM buyout
- Kyle Finnegan (34)
- Chris Flexen (31)
- Luis Garcia (39)
- Kendall Graveman (35) – $5MM mutual option with $100K buyout
- Chad Green (35)
- Hunter Harvey (31)
- Liam Hendriks (36) – $12MM mutual option with $2MM buyout
- Luke Jackson (32)
- Pierce Johnson (35) – $7MM club option with $250K buyout
- Jakob Junis (33)
- Tommy Kahnle (35)
- Brad Keller (30)
- Tyler Kinley (35) – $5MM club option with $750K buyout
- Andrew Kittredge (36) – $9MM club option with $1MM buyout
- Michael Kopech (30)
- Jose Leclerc (32)
- Jonathan Loaisiga (31) – $5MM club option with no buyout
- Jorge Lopez (33)
- Chris Martin (40)
- Nick Martinez (35)
- Phil Maton (33)
- Shelby Miller (35)
- Rafael Montero (35)
- Andres Muñoz (27) – $6MM club option
- Hector Neris (37)
- Adam Ottavino (40)
- Emilio Pagan (35)
- Ryan Pressly (37)
- Tanner Rainey (33)
- Erasmo Ramirez (36)
- Tyler Rogers (35)
- Jordan Romano (33)
- Joe Ross (33)
- Paul Sewald (36) – $10MM mutual option with $1MM buyout
- Lucas Sims (32)
- Drew Smith (32) – $2MM club option
- Ryne Stanek (34)
- Chris Stratton (35)
- Hunter Strickland (37)
- Robert Suarez (35) – Two-year, $16MM player option for 2026-27
- Erik Swanson (32)
- Lou Trivino (34)
- Jose Ureña (34)
- Luke Weaver (32)
- Devin Williams (31)
- Kirby Yates (39)
Left-Handed Relievers
Top Options:
- Aroldis Chapman (38) – Veteran closer
- A.J. Minter (32) – $11MM player option
Solid Contributors:
- Scott Alexander (36)
- Tyler Alexander (31)
- Jose Alvarado (31) – $9MM club option with $500K buyout
- Jalen Beeks (32)
- Ryan Borucki (32)
- Genesis Cabrera (29)
- Andrew Chafin (36)
- Danny Coulombe (36)
- Caleb Ferguson (29)
- Tim Hill (36) – $3MM club option with $350K buyout
- Tim Mayza (34)
- T.J. McFarland (37)
- Hoby Milner (35)
- Sean Newcomb (33)
- Wandy Peralta (34) – $4.45MM player option
- Colin Poche (32)
- Drew Pomeranz (37)
- Taylor Rogers (35)
- Gregory Soto (31)
- Matt Strahm (34) – $4.5MM club option
- Brent Suter (36) – $3MM club option with $250K buyout
- Caleb Thielbar (39)
- Justin Wilson (38)
- Ryan Yarbrough (34)
Market Analysis and Predictions
The 2025-26 free agent class represents one of the most talent-rich markets in recent memory. Age and durability will be key evaluation factors, with players nearing their mid-30s facing scrutiny for wear and tear. Teams are expected to be more cautious with long-term deals for aging veterans while prioritizing younger talent.
Key market drivers include:
- Premium Position Players: Bregman, Tucker, and Bellinger could command nine-figure deals
- Starting Pitcher Depth: The rotation market offers options from aces to back-end starters
- Bullpen Arms: Multiple proven closers available for teams needing late-inning help
- Contract Options: Many players have team/player options that will shape the final market
Conclusion
The 2025-26 MLB free agent class offers something for every team, from franchise-altering superstars to valuable role players. With numerous opt-out clauses and team options creating uncertainty, the actual pool of available players won’t be finalized until after the 2025 season concludes. Teams should prepare for a competitive market where premium talent commands top dollar, while savvy organizations may find value in the deep pool of veteran contributors.
Smart front offices will need to balance immediate needs with long-term financial flexibility, as this historic free agent class could reshape the competitive landscape for years to come.
Read more: The Most Valuable 1985 Topps Baseball Cards: A Complete Investment Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When does the 2025-26 MLB free agency period begin?
A: MLB free agency typically begins five days after the conclusion of the World Series, expected in early November 2025.
Q: Which players are the biggest names in this free agent class?
A: Alex Bregman, Kyle Tucker, Cody Bellinger, Shane Bieber, and Walker Buehler are among the top-tier talents expected to hit the market.
Q: How do player and team options work?
A: Player options allow the player to choose whether to continue their current contract or become a free agent. Team options give the team the choice. Mutual options require both sides to agree.
Q: What factors will drive contract values in this market?
A: Age, recent performance, injury history, positional scarcity, and team payroll situations will all influence contract negotiations.
Q: Are there any potential extensions that could remove players from free agency?
A: Yes, players can sign extensions during the 2025 season to avoid free agency, similar to how some stars have done in previous years.
Q: How does the luxury tax affect free agency? A: Teams over or near the luxury tax threshold may be more conservative in their spending, potentially creating opportunities for teams with payroll flexibility.
Q: When do team options need to be exercised? A: Team options typically must be exercised within five days after the World Series concludes, before the start of free agency.
