MLB’s 15 Best Free Agents of 2026

The 2026 MLB free agent class is loaded with franchise-altering players. After we saw the likes of Blake Snell, Juan Soto, and Max Fried cash in on mega deals, the same fate will likely occur for the cream of this year’s free agent crop. This list features the top 15 potential free agents along with some prognostications as to which interested parties may be in the mix to sign them less than a year from now.

Pete Alonso

Will it be a case of ‘second time’s the charm’ for Alonso. He was expecting to cash in on a massive multi-year deal this past offseason. However, it never came — which led him to re-signing with the Mets on a 1+1 deal (second year being a player option for $26 million). Of course he’ll want to reestablish his value this year with the hopes of hitting the market yet again. Alonso is who he is — a power hitter with diminishing defensive value, a lack of positional versatility, and a strong clubhouse presence. Teams won’t want to pony up the cash for a DH, though they may seek his services if Alonso can continue to play first base at an adequate level.

Devin Williams

Devin WIlliams hasn’t exactly lit the world on fire during his initial month with the Yankees. As of April 15th, Williams has registered a 7.20 ERA in six appearances. He’s still only 30 years of age, and has been one of the most potent relievers in baseball. The general sentiment is that he will get paid by someone to presumably be their closer. Williams never relied solely on an elite fastball when being effective, and as such he should be the type of arm that ages well moving forward into the latter stages of his career.

Luis Arraez

Arraez is a polarizing player. His OPS on average throughout his career is about average. He’s never hit more than 10 HRs in a single season. Arraez has never stolen more than nine bags in a given year. Having said that, the 28-year-old is arguably the best in the sport at putting the ball in play. His strikeout rate is microscopic, and there’s some real value in having a guy that can pass the proverbial baton without being an automatic strikeout. Aiding in Arraez’s overall profile is also the fact he can play multiple positions across the diamond.

Kyle Tucker

Tucker will be the crown jewel of this class. Chicago traded for him this past offseason with the hopes of showcasing their franchise as best as possible to entice Tucker to stay. The Cubbies will have to empty their pockets because Tucker will not come cheap. In the wake of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. getting north of $500 million, Tucker will easily command that for being one of the best left-handed bats in the game — not to mention an elite fielder at only 28 years of age.

Cody Bellinger

Bellinger is no longer the MVP-level power threat he was with the Dodgers. However, he is an above-average fielder with great range and plenty of postseason experience. He can opt out of the Bronx after this year with the hopes of signing a longer deal. Bellinger does have a $22.5 million player option he can exercise. At 29 years old, this could be his best shot at getting one last lengthy contract assuming he performs well for the ballclub his father Clay once represented.

Dylan Cease

Cease likely will be the prized asset out on the open market. He’ll only be 30 years old when entering free agency, and while his last couple of years have been a bit rocky, teams are banking on the elite stuff Cease brings to the table. He’s possessing some of the best swing-and-miss assortment of any starting pitcher in the game today. A fastball touching 100 MPH is buoyed by a knee-bending knuckle curve and a wicked slider. As we’ve seen with other players of his ilk hitting the open market, Cease will cash in brilliantly well.

Zac Gallen

Gallen could very well receive a lengthy contract himself when he gets to free agency. Like Cease, he’ll be 30 years of age when that occurs. Unlike Cease, he doesn’t boast the high-end stuff. But, Gallen has three-straight years leading Arizona’s rotation as its ace. He’s won double-digit games in each of those years, and is a true thinker on the mound with an assortment of above-average breaking balls to utilize. For a contender needing a boost for the top of its rotation, Gallen would make a whole lot of sense.

Alex Bregman

Bregman infamously held out for the right deal this past offseason. Houston reportedly did not offer what he was asking for, and after much discussions with a host of teams (including Detroit), Bregman signed a deal with the Red Sox. He has the ability to opt out after this year — and most expect him to do so assuming he has a nice 2025 campaign. Bregman is a smart, heady player with positional versatility and obvious World Series chops. He’ll be one of the most hotly-pursued position players available.

Bo Bichette

Will Toronto re-sign their homegrown star? It’s a big question considering the money recently earmarked for another homegrown talent in Guerrero Jr. Bichette is a two-time All-Star, and it would theoretically be a no-brainer to re-up with a 27-year-old talent. Having said that, he had a very rough 2024 season. This will be a story to watch all year long. If Bichette does hit the open market, the Dodgers could become a real player for him.

Munetaka Murakami

The slugger from Japan will be eligible to come stateside after hitting the 25-year-old mark. Murakami is a prolific power hitter. He mashed 56 HRs in a single season within the NPB. This set an all-time record for players born in Japan. We’ve mostly seen Japanese pitchers make the leap over, which is why it’ll be interesting to see how the country’s most hyped position player will do. Murakami isn’t a great athlete, and there are some questions about his strikeout rate. However, based on his profile and power, there will be no shortage of options for him.

Michael King

King is working on his fourth-straight season with an ERA under 3.00. He’s quietly become a very good pitcher having moved from the Yankees to the Padres. Highly competitive, King has a five-pitch repertoire including an elite change-up, a four-seamer, a sinker, a sweeper, and a rarely-used slider. Also turning 30 when becoming a free agent, he’s probably more likely to re-sign with San Diego compared to Cease — though there will surely be plenty of interested parties wanting King to bolster their rotations.

Framber Valdez

The soon-to-be 32-year-old is the ace of Houston’s staff. A recent two-time All-Star, Valdez relies heavily on movement, precision, and a sinker-curveball combo. He’s another pitcher that won’t ‘wow’ you with upper 90s velocity — though Valdez knows how to pitch as well as anyone. He likely won’t command a long deal, though getting upwards of $100 million should be feasible from a team searching for a rotation upgrade. We’ll see if the Astros bite the bullet and re-sign their most effective starting pitcher.

Kyle Schwarber

Schwarber’s market might be a bit limited somewhat. He’s essentially a DH at this point in his career despite technically being capable of playing left field. Schwarber slugs and gets on base — those are arguably his best two calling cards. He also has a lot of postseason experience and does have a knack for coming up with big hits. Schwarber’s skill-set plays very well in Philadelphia, and would also in any stadium with a short porch in right field.

JT Realmuto

There’s not often a demand for 35-year-old catchers. Realmuto is in a bit of a different category given his track record as one of the best in the game at his position. While his offensive and defensive metrics have slipped, he’s still a top-half catcher in the game today. We’d be shocked if he received some sort of multi-year deal given his age and position. Realmuto will have value for some ballclub needing a temporary solution at catcher. After all, he’s still a career .272 hitter.

Ryan Helsley

Helsley is one of the most underrated players in all of baseball. As a closer, he is among the best despite being marooned in St. Louis for the past few years. He’s notched a combined 84 saves since 2022 — including a whopping 49 last season (with a 2.04 ERA). Helsley averages 98.7 MPH on his fastball in 2025. When combined with a filthy slider, Helsley could very well see a deal similar to the one Tanner Scott got from the Dodgers this past offseason.