2024 MLB Free Agents: Latest Rumors, Predictions for Corbin Burnes, Pete Alonso, More
Juan Soto, Blake Snell, Max Fried, and Willy Adames off the market, there remain several high-profile, big-money free agents for MLB contenders to pursue.
Corbin Burnes is the best pitcher available while power hitters Pete Alonso and Anthony Santander are potentially looking for new parks to blast the ball out of.
As free agency continues, find out the latest on each and predictions for their eventual destinations, with this collection of insider reports.
Giants Interested in Burnes
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The San Francisco Giants have already made a splash in free agency with the addition of Willy Adames at shortstop on a seven-year, $182 million deal. If president of baseball operations Buster Posey has his way, it will not be the only move the organization makes.
The New York Post's Jon Heyman reported Posey met with Corbin Burnes' agent, Scott Boras, about acquiring the starter's services.
Burnes went 15-9 in 2024 with an ERA of 2.92 and a 1.10 WHIP. He was a Cy Young candidate for the Orioles.
The Giants have ace Logan Webb but lost Blake Snell to the Dodgers early in free agency, likely spurring the decision to check in on Burnes.
The team will have competition for the righty, though, as Heyman added that the Blue Jays and four other unnamed squads are interested in signing the 2021 Cy Young Award winner.
Burnes is the best pitcher in the market and with Max Fried getting $218 million from the Yankees, he is expected to surpass that number, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
That has likely disqualified the incumbent Orioles, who have not signed a single free agent to a multi-year deal in the entirety of Mike Elias' time as general manager.
Burnes is a California native, the Giants have an exciting new executive in the respected Posey in place, and appear ready to return to their winning ways after several years of mediocrity.
It starts by signing Snell's replacement.
Prediction: Burnes heads west to San Francisco, but not without stiff competition from Toronto
Mets Still Engaged with Pete Alonso
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The signing of Juan Soto to a historic 15-year, $765 million deal had many expecting the Mets to move on from Pete Alonso.
That may not be the case as the New York Post's Mike Puma reported the team remains engaged with Alonso, indicating it has not given up hope that they can convince the slugger to stay put in Queens and at first base.
"We think he is a great bat, and we're still engaged. We hope he stays," Mets owner Steve Cohen said. The billionaire also suggested Alonso go out and test the market.
If he does, the 2019 Rookie of the Year and two-time Home Run Derby champ will likely find suitors. The across-town Yankees suddenly need a first baseman after allowing Anthony Rizzo to walk in free agency and the Seattle Mariners could use an upgrade at the position and in their lineup.
If the Mets opt to bring Alonso back, there is no guarantee they need to do so as a positional player. With two young players in Mark Vientos and Brett Baty in the organization, switching one to first base and keeping the other at third would be an option, while Alonso would then fill the DH position, which no one player ever solidified as their own in 2024.
Alonso had his fewest RBI and second-most strikeouts in 2024, but still managed to blast 34 home runs and score 91 runs, making him a valuable asset for teams looking to upgrade their offense.
If the Mets genuinely want a reunion with Alonso and are not simply talking a big game to avoid backlash from fans, it will likely have to pony up the cash to keep a guy who has been one of the most popular stars on the team since his arrival five years ago.
Prediction: Alonso stays in New York, but as the first baseman for the Yankees
Yankees Interested in Switch-Hitting Outfielder
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The Yankees bounced back from the disappointing Soto outcome by trading for Brewers closer Devin Williams Friday afternoon. The team is likely not done as it looks to re-establish itself as a destination for free agents.
Heyman reported that the organization is interested in switch-hitting right fielder Anthony Santander.
Adding Santander makes almost too much sense. The 30-year-old would fill a void left by Soto and is a better defender than the high-priced free agent. He also hit more home runs than his more famous peer.
Both were All-Stars, both were Silver Sluggers.
Soto is the better overall player thanks to his generational hitting ability, but there are far worse options than a switch-hitter who can blast 40-plus home runs and knows the team's primary division foe (Baltimore), for whom he played his entire career.
The Philadelphia Phillies have a need in the outfield and would be an equally strong landing spot for Santander, so the Yankees may want to jump at the opportunity to sign him. If not, they will miss out on his bat and, more importantly, what he would bring defensively (2.07 range factor per game).
Prediction: Career-long Oriole Santander heads north to play for the Yankees
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