2025 MLB Free Agents Rumors, Predictions for Pete Alonso, Kyle Tucker and Yankees
The free agent market is heating up, with increased rumors and speculation about the potential landing spots for the top options available, including Pete Alonso, Edwin Diaz, Kyle Tucker, Devin Williams, and Framber Valdez.
All are among the best at their respective positions and figure to have plenty of suitors, if they have not already heard from them.
What is the latest on them from trusted insiders and where might they ultimately end up?
Find out in this preview, including predictions for each.
Yankees Want Devin Williams Back in the Bronx
1 of 3
Williams has been an elite reliever in his career but his first year with the Yankees saw him as anything but.
His ERA ballooned to a career-high .479, he allowed the most hits of his career (45), and his four blown saves tied for his most ever.
Still, the 31-year-old righty is a talented pitcher who the Yankees believe to be more like the lights-out closer he was for Milwaukee. To the extent that they would like to run it back with him in 2026.
Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic reported "The Yankees and the camp for free agent late-inning reliever Devin Williams recently discussed the potential for a possible reunion, league sources said."
Unless the team can convince Edwin Diaz to leave the across-town Mets, there are few better options at the ever-important closer position than Williams, enhancing his value and leading to the Yankees to eye a reunion with him, despite an underwhelming first season in pinstripes.
Simply being the Yankees and wanting him may not be enough to ensure a Williams return, however. The reporters noted that, "The Los Angeles Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox and New York Mets are among the teams that have been connected to Williams so far this offseason."
Any one of those teams could end up with the former Brewer, but the Yankees have the inside track, one of the best players in the world, Aaron Judge, and a solid chance of returning to the postseason in 2026.
That should be enough to lure him back to the most storied franchise in the game.
Spotrac estimates his market value at one year, $5.7 million, making him an affordable option for whichever team does convince him to put pen to paper.
Prediction: Williams re-signs with the Yankees
Orioles to Be "Extremely Active" This Offseason
2 of 3
For the positive steps forward that the Baltimore Orioles took in the 2023 and 2024 seasons, when they made the postseason and appeared to be the most exciting young team in the game, they took one giant leap backward in 2025, as they finished last in the AL East and fired manager Brandon Hyde.
The team hired Craig Albernaz, formerly of the Cleveland Guardians, as its new manager but the pressure is on general manager Mike Elias to make moves this off-season to put the Orioles back in playoff contention.
Rosenthal and Sammon reported that one rival executive told them, "This is not a man sitting on his hands saying, 'Hey, let's let the market develop.' They're going to be extremely active."
They added that Framber Valdez and Kyle Tucker are logical targets for the team, as Elias was in Houston when both joined the Astros.
Both would benefit the Orioles at positions of need.
Tucker is a superb defender and can hit. While he was slowed by injuries in 2025, he still benefited a Chicago Cubs team that returned to the postseason and advanced to Game 7 of the Divisional Series.
He would join a crowded outfield that includes Taylor Ward, who the team traded for just last week, as well as Tyler O'Neill, Dylan Beavers, Colton Cowser, Leody Taveras, and surprise breakout hitter of last season, Jeremiah Jackson.
Spotrac has Tucker's value estimated at 10 years, $400-plus million this off-season. The Orioles, hardly known for their spending, may not be willing to pay that, opting instead to stick with the mix of young and veteran talent it already has under contract.
Instead, Valdez is a more logical add given the team's glaring need for a top-line starter.
The Astros starter went 13-11 in 2025, with an ERA of 3.66 and 187 strikeouts. He was not as good as he has been at other times in his career, but he still has quality stuff and the potential to be that Cy Young-contending ace that he was previously.
He would join Trevor Rogers, who was the best pitcher in the Orioles organization last year, Dean Kremer, Kyle Bradish, Tyler Wells, Cade Povich, and Brandon Young in the starting rotation.
A rotation that needs a significant upgrade near the front end.
Prediction: Orioles opt for a starter, signing either Valdez or another top-line pitcher, like Dylan Cease
Mets Want Edwin Diaz, Pete Alonso Back in Queens
3 of 3
Alonso and Diaz are among the most intriguing, coveted free agents this off-season but if the Mets have their way, neither will leave Queens.
Rosenthal and Sammon reported that the Mets continue to hold interest in re-signing both staples of their team, even if it means convincing Alonso to play designated hitter.
Concerns about the Polar Bear's throwing has convinced the Mets to look into converting Alonso to the DH position, something he has not been too keen on. It is not surprising that the organization would want to keep the 2019 NL Rookie of the Year and three-time Home Run Derby champion to maximize his offensive output.
In 2025, he played in all 162 games, tallying 170 hits, 38 home runs, 126 RBI, and hit for .272.
Former Mets great and SNY commentator Keith Hernandez was vocal about his belief that the team will not replace Alonso's bat as easily as they may think during an appearance on the New York Post's The Show.
The Post's Jon Heyman reported the initial meetings between Alonso and the Mets were positive.
While there have been reports linking him to various different teams, it is still difficult to imagine the face of the franchise for the last six years playing for any other team but the one that drafted him.
Ditto Diaz, who was the best closer in baseball last season and plays at a position the Mets quite literally cannot afford to have get worse. Paying him his desired five-year deal, not terribly unlike the one he signed a few years back with the team, would keep him around long-term and allow the front office to focus on shoring up the bullpen.
Heyman reported that the Mets are Diaz's first choice.
Prediction: Alonso and Diaz return to New York
