2025 MLB Free Agents Predictions for Top Pitchers Set to Hit Open Market
The top of the 2025 MLB free-agent class is dominated by sluggers, but the pitchers available on the market can upgrade rosters as well.
Framber Valdez is the headliner of the 2025 pitcher free-agent class. He's been excellent for the Houston Astros throughout his career and could receive a massive pay day this offseason.
The second tier of free-agent pitchers is fascinating, as Dylan Cease, Ranger Suarez and Michael King are all stalwarts at the front of their current rotations.
A handful of borderline playoff teams will be on the hunt for pitchers this offseason, so there's a good chance some of the top-tier arms change uniforms.
Framber Valdez
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Framber Valdez is the pitcher to target for teams with eyes on the postseason in need of a serious rotation upgrade.
Valdez signed a one-year, $18 million contract to stay in Houston for 2025, so that's probably in the range of the deal he'll receive in free agency.
The left-hander could stay in Houston and continue to be the rock of that rotation.
He's recorded double-digit win totals in each of the last five seasons and struck out over 175 batters in three of the last four years.
Additionally, he's been solid in the postseason, including a 1.44 ERA in 2022 when the Astros won the World Series.
Houston can afford to lose the two-time All-Star because it has an abundance of young arms ready to take over.
However, a handful of those young pitchers dealt with injuries in 2025 and the last thing Houston wants to do is deal with injury issues again in 2026 while Valdez is pitching elsewhere.
Houston should try to make a deal happen, but if not, the Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padres and others could chase his signature to bolster their rotations.
Prediction: Valdez stays in Houston
Dylan Cease
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Dylan Cease may not have the win-loss record that he's had in previous years, but he's still a 200-plus-strikeout hurler.
The Padres right-hander was a topic of speculation at the trade deadline, which makes you believe he won't be back in San Diego in 2026.
San Diego has Nick Pivetta, Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove at the top of its rotation, and it may opt to keep Michael King over Cease in free agency.
Cease's stock is okay at the moment, but it could skyrocket with a strong postseason for the Padres.
He doesn't have a massive postseason pedigree, but if he comes up with a few big outings for the Padres, he could be viewed as a better option compared to Valdez in the eyes of some teams.
Baltimore stands out as a possible landing spot because it needs one veteran hurler to pair with its young core.
Toronto should look into Cease to partner Shane Bieber and Kevin Gausman.
Atlanta has the profile of a dark-horse team in the Cease sweepstakes. Cease is a Georgia native and Atlanta could use a veteran arm at the top of its rotation while its collection of young hurlers come back from long-term injuries.
Prediction: Cease lands with Baltimore
Ranger Suarez
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Ranger Suarez feels like he's on the way out in Philadelphia.
The Phillies have to commit to paying Kyle Schwarber and they already have a ton of money locked into the top end of their rotation with Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola.
Suarez owns three double-digit win campaigns in the last four years and he has a 1.43 postseason ERA.
He seems set for a huge pay day somewhere outside the NL East with a team that needs an ace-caliber pitcher and/or someone who can deliver in the postseason.
Suarez would be a good fit in Toronto because he balances out the current rotation the Blue Jays have. Adding a left-hander who can get batters out in different ways would be a nice complement to Gausman and Bieber.
The Orioles could chase Suarez, but Trevor Rogers fits a similar profile at the top of their rotation.
Prediction: Suarez signs with Blue Jays
