2025 MLB Free Agents Rumors, Predictions for Kyle Schwarber, Edwin Díaz, More
The 2025 MLB offseason is underway, with Dylan Cease and Devin Williams finding new homes in the biggest signings to date. Still available are the heaviest hitters, the highest-profile free agents this year, including designated hitter Kyle Schwarber and All-Star closer Edwin Díaz.
Those two headline a collection of insider rumors and reports.
Which teams are looking into acquiring them and where might they end up?
Find out with these predictions.
Reds In On Kyle Schwarber But Will He Leave Philly?
1 of 3
Kyle Schwarber was among the best power hitters in baseball in 2025, delivering 145 hits, 132 RBI, 56 home runs, and a career-best .563 slugging percentage. For that reason, the 32-year-old is among the most coveted free agents this offseason and one NL Central squad remains in the hunt for his services.
MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reported the Cincinnati Reds "remain among the teams trying to sign Schwarber and are still in contention for one of this winter's top free agents."
The Reds desperately need an upgrade offensively after ranking 21st in home runs and 19th in OPS last season. The team played small ball all the way to its first playoff appearance since 2020, but were swept, 2-0 in the Wildcard round by the eventual World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
Schwarber would provide his hometown team that game-changing power at the plate, while also serving as a great clubhouse presence for a squad that is still on the younger side.
That is, if he leaves Philadelphia.
ESPN's Jeff Passan reported that the Phillies remain the favorites to sign Schwarber.
He added the Mets and Red Sox as potential suitors, while MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported that the San Francisco Giants are also in contention for the lefty hitter. All three of those teams would benefit from the spark the "Schwarbombs" provide, both offensively and in terms of the energy in the stadium.
Prediction: Schwarber stays in Philadelphia
Mets Not Counting Out Edwin Díaz Return
2 of 3
The New York Mets reached an agreement with free agent reliever Devin Williams Monday on a deal worth $51 million, but Will Sammon of The Athletic reports that does not eliminate the incumbent team from the Edwin Díaz sweepstakes.
Sammon wrote that the Mets "remain open to a reunion with Díaz, formerly their star closer and the best reliever available in free agency, league sources said."
Díaz recorded 28 saves in 62 games in 2025, with 98 strikeouts, an ERA of 1.63 and an WHIP of 0.874.
Sammons added, "According to a person close to Williams, the decorated right-hander is open to pitching in whatever role the team needs him for and wants to win a World Series in New York."
A one-two punch of Williams and Díaz would certainly provide the Mets with one of the best reliever situations in the game, especially if the former can rediscover his level of play from his days in Milwaukee, where current Mets and former Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns watched him become one of the best closers in the game.
The question is whether New York and Díaz can find middle ground on contract length, as the latter has made it clear that he is looking for five years and the team is looking for something more in the range of three.
Prediction: Díaz signs with the Mets for four years
Multiple Teams Interested in Pete Fairbanks
3 of 3
Late-inning relievers are a hot commodity already this offseason, with Ryan Helsley and Raisel Iglesias, and Phil Maton already off the market. Tampa Bay Rays free agent Pete Fairbanks should be among the next to join them.
Ken Rosenthal and Katie Woo reported for The Athletic that the Miami Marlins and defending AL champions, the Toronto Blue Jays, "are among the teams interested in him, according to industry sources briefed on his market."
Fairbanks improved his ERA in 2025, dropping from .357 to .283.
He recorded 27 saves, the most of his seven major league seasons.
The veteran righty does not carry the name recognition of others on the market but he is a solid addition to any team who wants to bring him on board after the Rays declined his option at the end of the season.
Adding him to the Blue Jays bullpen has the potential to be another sneaky-great move by that team's front office, which has already upgraded his starting rotation with the key free agent acquisition of Dylan Cease on a seven-year, $210 million deal.
Miami may be the more likely fit, though, given the Fairbanks' history with Peter Bendix, the Marlins' president of baseball operations and the former general manager of the Rays.
Prediction: The allure of the AL champs is too great to pass up and Fairbanks signs with Toronto
