MLB Free Agents 2025 Landing-Spot Predictions and Latest Rumors
The burners have been ignited on baseball's hot stove.
While the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays are busy battling it out for the 2025 World Series title, the rest of the MLB world is already operating in offseason mode. It might be a little while before actual transactions take place, but tea leaves are already falling and indicating what might be on the horizon.
We're breaking down the latest buzz here while breaking out the crystal ball to determine how these situations will play out.
Kyle Tucker Leaving Chicago?
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Last offseason, the Chicago Cubs made a bold move to acquire Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros. They also did so while knowing there was risk of this being a short-term relationship, since Tucker arrived with just one year left on his contract.
It sounds like that risk is about to get real. Per MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, "the consensus within the industry is that the Cubs won't be the team to give [Tucker] the type of contract he is seeking."
This, frankly, isn't super surprising. In fact, it may have been the plan all along. The Cubs got a great (albeit injury-impacted) season out of Tucker, but their history suggested it was always a long shot they'd wind up on the hook for his next deal, which could land near (or even north of) $400 million.
Tucker, a 28-year-old, four-time All-Star, still stands poised to strike it rich despite struggling with injuries and (surely related) declining production in the second half. His future still looks bright enough to warrant a big payday, so expect one of the typical big spenders to snatch him up.
Prediction: Tucker signs with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Boston Poised To Keep Alex Bregman?
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On the heels of his third All-Star season in the big leagues, Alex Bregman opted out of the remaining two years and $80 million left on his contract with the Boston Red Sox. Remember, though, that was simply a business decision and not necessarily a sign of big changes on the baseball front.
Per MLB.com's Ian Browne, "there is mutual interest in a reunion." Still, it will take the right offer to make that happen, since, as Browne noted, "this is likely to be his last, best chance to get a long-term contract."
The Red Sox presumably should have an aggressive offer at the ready. Their midseason subtraction of Rafael Devers cleared up their financial outlook and left a pressing need for an established bat in the heart of their lineup. Bregman can provide that presence, as he mostly did during his first season in Boston, tallying 18 homers, 62 RBI and 64 runs scored in his 114 games.
If the Red Sox don't put the right combination of years and dollars in front of him, though, he'll have options. The Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies and Seattle Mariners are among his list of logical landing spots.
Prediction: Bregman re-signs with the Red Sox.
Mariners Only Keeping 1 of 2 Prominent Free Agents?
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While the Seattle Mariners couldn't secure the franchise's first World Series trip, they did come closer than ever. Despite building series leads of 2-0 and 3-2, though, they ultimately fell in seven games to the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL Championship Series.
The Mariners can credit a big chunk of this success to deadline pickups—and impending free agents—Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez. While that might be an argument for pursuing new deals with both, MLB.com's Daniel Kramer wrote that "Naylor is the more likely to return."
Kramer's rationale included the players' age gap (Suarez is 34, Naylor is 28), and Seattle's internal options at third base, including the organization's top prospect, Cole Emerson. Suárez has often historically struggled at Seattle's T-Mobile Park.
Prediction: Naylor re-signs with the Mariners; Suárez signs with the Texas Rangers.
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