2024 MLB Free Agents: Rumors and Predictions for Juan Soto, Alex Bregman, More

Juan Soto's full focus at the moment is on getting the New York Yankees as far as possible in the Major League Baseball postseason.

Once the playoffs end, Soto has a massive decision on his hands in free agency.

Soto is by far the most notable free agent this offseason and his decision has the potential to alter a franchise's trajectory for the next five-to-10 years.

Soto is not the only All-Star power hitter set to hit the market. Alex Bregman, Paul Goldschmidt and Pete Alonso are among the names on the next-best free-agent list.

All three of those players have been with their current teams for quite some time, but all of them might have new homes come spring.

Juan Soto

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 26: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees in action against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Yankee Stadium on September 26, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images)

The Juan Soto sweepstakes will not be between a large amount of teams because of the outfielder's likely contract demands.

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported at the end of August that "at the end of the day, high-ranking front office and ownership-level sources believe the winter for Soto is going to play out like this: Yankees vs. Mets."

The Athletic's Brendan Kuty reported that Soto had a meeting with Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner in July.

The Yankees would obviously love to have Soto back in their lineup for the long haul. He's made a massive impact alongside Aaron Judge on a team that has the potential to win a World Series.

New York's postseason success may or may not be a factor in Soto's offseason decision. A World Series title could begin to establish him as one of the Yankees' all-time greats, or a playoff push that comes up short of a title could motivate him to win with the Yankees.

The Mets will always be a player in big-name free agency, and if they fail to win their Wild Card Series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday, there could be even more motivation to bring more power to the lineup.

The pull of the Yankees will be hard to ignore, and that is probably where Soto ultimately lands, but it will be fascinating to see the stops the Mets pull out to lure him to Queens.

Prediction: Soto signs long-term deal with Yankees.

Alex Bregman

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HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 02: Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros runs to first base after hitting a single against the Detroit Tigers in the second inning during Game Two of the Wild Card Series at Minute Maid Park on October 02, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

ESPN's Alden Gonzalez reported that "the Astros have yet to present a formal offer to Bregman, but they are expected to in the near future."

Alex Bregman is one of the top non-Soto free-agent hitters set to hit the market.

The Astros face a tough decision with the 30-year-old third baseman. They could let him walk, like they did with George Springer and Carlos Correa, or they could re-sign him and have him continue to be a cornerstone of the franchise alongside Jose Altuve.

Bregman hit over .260 and hit the 25-home run mark for the second consecutive season, but his RBI production dropped from 98 to 75.

Outside of the drop off in RBIs, Bregman's numbers have been consistent over the last three seasons. He's played in at least 145 games and recorded at least 140 hits from 2022-24.

Bregman can still be a valuable part of the Astros order, but Houston will have to pay a massive sum for a new deal. Matt Chapman reset the third baseman market with a six-year, $151 million deal he signed with the San Francisco Giants before the end of the regular season.

The Astros should try to get a deal done, but if Bregman does move on, an emerging team, like the Detroit Tigers, could be an intriguing fit, as could the Milwaukee Brewers to bring more power in the lineup or the Toronto Blue Jays to refresh a stale collection of stars.

Prediction: Bregman stays in Houston, signs six-year deal.

Paul Goldschmidt

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: St. Louis Cardinals first base Paul Goldschmidt (46) hits a single during a 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)

The Athletic's Katie Woo reported the St. Louis Cardinals and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt are "expected to part ways."

Goldschmidt is 37 years old and the Cardinals appear to be willing to get younger throughout their lineup.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale mentioned one of the Cardinals' National League Central rivals, the Brewers, as a potential suitor for the veteran first baseman.

"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," Nightengale wrote.

Goldschmidt recorded four-year lows in batting average, home runs, hits and RBIs in 2024, so it makes sense why the Cardinals are okay with moving on.

However, there are plenty of franchises that would still take on a 20-homer first baseman who has a career .289 batting average and .892 OPS.

The Giants need an everyday first baseman and someone who can provide support in the middle of the order alongside Chapman. They could be an intriguing fit for Goldschmidt as they try to push their way back up the National League West hierarchy.

Prediction: Goldschmidt signs with Giants.

Pete Alonso

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ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 30: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets hits a single in the fifth inning during the game between the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Monday, September 30, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported that there are two potential suitors for Pete Alonso if he does not come back to the New York Mets.

"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," Nightengale wrote.

The Mets will likely commit plenty of time to their Soto pursuit this offseason, but they have to keep Alonso's future in mind as well.

The Mets can't afford to lose Alonso in free agency and to come up short against the Yankees in the Soto sweepstakes.

Seattle needs to take a big swing in free agency to improve a lineup that is centered around Julio Rodriguez.

The Cubs could use an upgrade over Michael Busch at first base. If they sign Alonso, they would have a formidable power duo in Alonso and Cody Bellinger.

Alonso's power dipped in 2024, but he still produced his fourth straight season with 30-plus home runs. He improved his average by 23 points and has had at least 88 RBI in all of the five full seasons he's played with the Mets.

There's still plenty of power left in Alonso's bat, and it would be wise of the Mets to sign him to a long-term deal, as they continue to chase the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves in the NL East.

Prediction: Alonso re-signs with Mets.