2024 MLB Free Agents: Top Rumors Before Regular-Season Ends

The end of the regular season in MLB means front offices around the league will look to the future, including free agent additions that will bolster their clubs and, hopefully, put them in a position to compete for a World Series next season.

This year's free agent market features big names potentially heading to new places, including former MVP Paul Goldschmidt and home run machine Pete Alonso.

Dive deeper into their current situations, and find out which shortstop is garnering attention, with this preview of what will be a red-hot period.

Milwaukee Eyeing Paul Goldschmidt

Trinity Machan/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: St. Louis Cardinals first base Paul Goldschmidt (46) looks on before an MLB game between the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants, on September 28, 2024, at Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA. (Photo by Trinity Machan/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that the Milwaukee Brewers are "The Milwaukee Brewers are keeping a close eye on St. Louis Cardinals veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt if the Cardinals opt not to bring him back. They still believe there's plenty left in the tank."

Goldschmidt hit 22 home runs, stole 11 bases, drove in 64 runs, and averaged .245 in 2024 for a Cardinals team that finished third in the NL Central.

It was Goldschmidt's worst non-pandemic season since 2014 with the Diamondbacks, but one can only imagine it had something to do with the mediocre baseball played in one of the sport's proudest cities.

If the Cardinals choose not to re-sign him, or Goldschmidt opts to continue his career elsewhere, the NL Central champions are an upstart squad with a first-year manager who already has his team in the playoffs.

With the possibility that Rhys Hoskins opts out of his deal to explore free agency, he would also fill a need.

Goldschmidt is a seven-time All-Star, the 2022 NL MVP, All-MLB first team, four-time Gold Glove winner, five-time Silver Slugger, two-time NL Hank Aaron award winner, and the NL home run leader.

Seattle, Chicago Interested in Pete Alonso

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 22: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets walks back to the dugout after striking out during the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field on September 22, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Pete Alonso figures to be one of the most coveted free agents this postseason, with multiple teams seeking a heavy-hitting first-baseman with the potential to blast a home run every time he takes the plate.

Nightengale reported that the Seattle Mariners and Chicago Cubs are two such teams.

"If All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso doesn't return to the Mets, rival executives believe he will wind up in Seattle or with the Cubs."

Alonso had his worst statistic season since his rookie campaign, hitting his fewest non-pandemic home runs (34) and RBIs (88), and striking out 169 times.

How much of that was a product of diminished play and how much of it resulted from chasing hits in a contract year is unknown, but potential suitors do not seem to care. Alonso hits, hits hard, and can change the tide of a game with a single swing of the bat.

That Seattle got a taste of potent offensive play under hitting coach Edgar Martinez makes them a perfect destination for a player whose hitting is his strongest suit.

Alonso would be an upgrade in Chicago, where Michael Busch has performed admirably but whose offensive stats are lower than Alonso in a down year, let alone what the University of Florida product brings to the table when he's at his best.

Of course, this is all assuming Alonso does not return to the Mets, an organization he had stated at the All-Star break that he wanted to stay with.

Willy Adames' Value Continues to Increase

John Fisher/Getty Images

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 28: Willy Adames #27 of the Milwaukee Brewers reacts after hitting a run scoring single in the eighth inning against the New York Mets at American Family Field on September 28, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

Willy Adames has developed into one of the best shortstops in baseball and his value on the free agency market is increasing exponentially with every outing.

Nightengale reported, "Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Willy Adames' price tag continues to go up when he hits free agency in November."

Much of that can be attributed to his 32 home runs, 111 RBIs, and 21 stolen bases, which have helped fuel a Brewers team that was left for dead when former manager Craig Counsell signed with the Cubs but has, instead become a dark horse World Series contender.

While he was not the defender that he has been in seasons past, with a .963 fielding percentage that ranks as the lowest, non-pandemic of his career, his offense will be incredibly coveted by teams looking for an upgrade at the position.

The suddenly-hot Detroit Tigers are one such team.