Updated MLB Free Agents 2025 Rumors' and Predictions Amid Awards Season
All of the MLB awards have been handed out, with Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge repeating as NL and AL MVP, respectively, and now all eyes are on potential free agent moves that front offices hope will propel teams across MLB into World Series contention.
Pete Alonso, Harrison Bader, and Michael King are among those free agents that could prove the difference between a disappointing campaign and a World Series title.
Find out the latest on those three stars in this collection of insider rumors and reports.
Phillies Interested in Bringing Back Harrison Bader
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The Philadelphia Phillies struck gold when they acquired Harrison Bader from Minnesota at the trade deadline. The former Florida Gator accumulated a slash line of .305/.361/.463 during his stint in the City of Brotherly Love, so it is no surprise that the organization wants him back in the lineup in 2025.
Lochlan March of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the team is interested in bringing him back and has already addressed the possibility with his representation.
Bader was not only a reliable hitter for the Phils, but he filled an area of need at center field for the NL East champions. Without him, the organization would likely have to look to the trade market for a player to help fill that void, with no guarantee of consistent production at the plate.
Spotrac has Bader's value at two years, $20 million. If the Phillies can make that contract work for them, bringing the former third-rounder back to the lineup should be a priority.
That is, as long as it does not impede on their ability to re-sign Kyle Schwarber.
Yankees, Michael King Reunion a Possibility?
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Michael King and the New York Yankees could be headed for a reunion in the Bronx, per Jim Bowden of The Athletic.
He wrote, "It sounds like a reunion with former Yankees starter Michael King, who was traded in the Juan Soto swap, is a real possibility."
King made the successful transition from reliever to starter and became one of the best pitchers in the game in 2024, with an .295 ERA and a seventh-place finish in Cy Young voting.
Inflammation in his shoulder and knee limited King to just 15 games in 2025.
The 30-year-old righty rejected the Padres' qualifying offer and will test free agency, where he will have the opportunity to don the pinstripes and potentially help get his former team back to the World Series.
Polar Bear to Beantown?
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Pete Alonso is one of the most prominent free agents this offseason, thanks to a season with the Mets that saw him blast 38 home runs, drive in 126 runs, and hit for .272.
While a reunion with the only team he has ever known in New York is not out of the question, the 30-year-old former Florida Gator could head north to Boston and the Red Sox, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi.
He reported, "Either they bring back Bregman or they make an all-out pursuit for Pete Alonso."
The Red Sox need a power hitter in their lineup and Alonso is just that. While there are some questions about his ability to play first base every day amid concerns about his throwing, he is still an undeniable force at the plate and could provide those game-changing hits and home runs that the team lacked in 2025.
