2024 MLB Free Agents: Latest Rumors, Predictions for Alex Bregman, Rōki Sasaki, More

Alex Bregman is one of the best third basemen in recent MLB history and for the first time in his career, there is a legitimate chance that he continues his career somewhere other than the Houston Astros organization.

He headlines this roundup of baseball insider reports, which also includes the latest on a pitching phenom making his way to the United States and a power switch hitter whose services are coveted by a team in his current division.

Dive deeper into each report and find out where those players may be headed next with these rumors and predictions.

Phillies to Make Strong Play for Alex Bregman

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HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 02: Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros reacts in the dugout after the game against the Detroit Tigers during Game Two of the Wild Card Series at Minute Maid Park on October 02, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported that the Phillies are expected to "make a strong play for Alex Bregman" if the team is able to trade Alec Bohm this offseason.

Bregman is one of the best in the majors at his position, so it is not surprising that the Phillies would look to acquire him in hopes of enhancing their World Series prospects

In 581 at-bats in 2024, Bregman collected 151 hits, 75 RBI, 26 home runs, and scored 79 total runs. His fielding percentage of .972 was the American League's best, as were his 242 assists.

His 103 put-outs topped the majors.

Considering Bohm's lackluster 2024, especially down the stretch, it is also not surprising that the team would be looking for a trade partner for the Home Run Derby runner-up.

The two do appear to be linked, though, meaning the Phillies will not acquire Bregman if they cannot offload Bohm, further muddying the picture.

There will be no shortage of teams lining up to sign Bregman, even if the NL East champs do not make it happen. The incumbent team, Houston, would love to have their third baseman back. Considering it is the only team the veteran has ever played for, one would assume the Astros would have the inside track on the All-Star.

If the Phillies cannot make it work with Bregman, Nightengale also noted that the team is interested in Willy Adames of the Milwaukee Brewers and potentially turning the shortstop into a third baseman.

Again, though, it hinges on the team's ability to deal Bohm.

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Prediction: Bregman leaves Houston in free agency amid the team's inability to re-sign him and get a deal done with Kyle Tucker

Latest on Rōki Sasaki

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CHIBA, JAPAN - MAY 05: Roki Sasaki of the Chiba Lotte Marines throws in the 5th inning against Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks at Zozo Marine Stadium on May 5, 2023 in Chiba, Japan. (Photo by Sports Nippon/Getty Images)

Rōki Sasaki is expected to join a Major League team this offseason after his home club, the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball, posted him.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are the prohibitive favorite to acquire the righty but the organization could have competition in the form of the San Diego Padres, Nightengale wrote.

"The team that is quietly confident they have a realistic shot is the San Diego Padres with veteran starter Yu Darvish being a mentor and close friend of Sasaki's."

In four seasons, Sasaki compiled a 2.02 ERA while allowing just six hits per nine innings. In his career, he tallied 11.4 strikes per nine innings. That ability to sit opponents down makes him one of the most promising young pitchers in baseball and one of the more intriguing free agent possibilities for contending teams.

Adding him to the mix in Los Angeles would give the 2024 World Series champs a decided advantage in defending their crown. Should the friendship with Darvish pay off for the Padres, though, the runners up in the NL West would add him to a rotation that already includes Darvish, Dylan Cease, Michael King, and Joe Musgrove.

As dominant as that rotation could potentially be, the Dodgers are a team that typically gets what it wants and if Sasaki is that guy, expect the champs to further bolster their roster.

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Prediction: Dodgers sign Sasaki

Which Free Agent Does Toronto Covet?

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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 02: Anthony Santander #25 of the Baltimore Orioles advances to third base on a fielder's choice against the Kansas City Royals hit by Ryan O'Hearn (not pictured) during the fourth inning of Game Two of the Wild Card Series at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on October 02, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

The Toronto Blue Jays have been in the conversation for Juan Soto all offseason but Nightengale revealed there is another free agent the team covets greatly: Baltimore Orioles right fielder Anthony Santander.

The hard-swinging switch hitter had a career year in 2024, blasting 44 home runs, driving in 102 RBI, and accounting for 91 runs for the O's. Defensively, he had the best range factor in the league with 2.07 and a fielding percentage of .993.

Not only would his power hitting be a much-needed addition to a Toronto lineup that under-performed a season ago but his defensive play in the outfield would benefit the club as well.

The question is just how legitimate a chance the Blue Jays have in signing Soto. If the team lands the generational hitter, any shot they have at signing Santander would seemingly dissipate.

Also, how much do the Jays covet a starting pitcher, which they would almost certainly need to stay afloat in an AL East that has some dynamic hitters across the division?

Those two questions hang over the organization and its attempt to sign anyone else, though Santander feels much more realistic than Soto at this point.

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Prediction: Blue Jays make a splash with a big free agent addition and Santander is a realistic option