Top MLB Free Agent, Trade Options at Every Position
While the new year is fast approaching and spring training is drawing ever closer, there are still a lot of high-profile names looking for new homes in MLB free agency, headlined by the trio of Kyle Tucker, Bo Bichette and Alex Bregman.
On the pitching side, Framber Valdez, Ranger Suárez and Japanese League standout Tatsuya Imai are the top free agents, while Freddy Peralta, MacKenzie Gore, Mitch Keller and others are regular targets of trade speculation.
Ahead we've highlighted the top remaining free agents and trade targets at every position to serve as a snapshot of what's left of the offseason market.
Catchers
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No. 1 Option: J.T. Realmuto (Free Agent)
Stats: 550 PA, 91 OPS+, .257/.315/.384, 39 XBH (12 HR), 52 RBI
WAR: 2.5
Realmuto leads all active catchers and ranks 25th all-time at the position with 38.7 WAR over 12 seasons in the majors. He is no longer the player he was in his prime, but he remains an above-average defender and a capable run producer, making him far and away the best catcher on the market.
No. 2 Option: Victor Caratini (Free Agent)
Stats: 386 PA, 101 OPS+, .259/.324/.404, 26 XBH (12 HR), 46 RBI
WAR: 0.9
One of the most productive backup catchers in baseball during his time with the Cubs, Padres and Astros, Caratini should get a shot at an expanded role with his next team. The 32-year-old set career-high marks in plate appearances (386), hits (89), doubles (14), home runs (12), RBI (46) and runs scored (35) in 2025.
No. 3 Option: Jonah Heim (Free Agent)
Stats: 433 PA, 77 OPS+, .213/.271/.332, 25 XBH (11 HR), 43 RBI
WAR: 0.4
An All-Star in 2023 when he posted an .812 OPS with 12 home runs and 59 RBI during the first half of the season, Heim has been chasing that level of production ever since, and he was non-tendered by the Rangers in November. A solid defender with double-digit home run pop, he offers a relatively high floor and solid upside entering his age-31 campaign.
Others of Note: Ryan Jeffers (Trade Candidate), Elías Díaz (Free Agent), Gary Sánchez (Free Agent)
First Basemen
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No. 1 Option: Kazuma Okamoto (Free Agent)
Stats (Japan): 314 PA, .322/.411/.581, 39 XBH (15 HR), 51 RBI
Okamoto is a veteran of 11 seasons in the Japanese League, including six straight 30-homer campaigns and a career-high 41 long balls in 2023. The 29-year-old went 6-for-18 with two home runs in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, and he might be a safer bet to produce stateside than Munetaka Murakami, albeit with a lower overall ceiling.
No. 2 Option: Luis Arraez (Free Agent)
Stats: 675 PA, 99 OPS+, .292/.327/.392, 42 XBH (8 HR), 61 RBI
WAR: 1.2
Arraez has experience at second base, but he is best utilized as a first baseman or designated hitter. He is one of the game's elite contact hitters, putting the ball in play in 91.6 percent of his plate appearances in 2025, and he is a career .317 hitter with three batting titles on his resume. Still only 28 years old, his value is capped by his lack of extra-base pop, middling on-base skills and lack of defensive value, but he can flat-out hit.
No. 3 Option: Triston Casas (Trade Candidate)
Stats: 112 PA, 62 OPS+, .182/.277/.303, 6 XBH (3 HR), 11 RBI
WAR: -0.9
The Red Sox move to acquire Willson Contreras from the Cardinals raises questions of how Casas fits into their future plans, especially if they intend to break up their outfield logjam by using an outfielder as the primary designated hitter. The 25-year-old looked like a rising star when he posted a 1.034 OPS with 15 home runs during the second half of the 2023 season, but injuries have limited him to 92 games the last two years. With club control through 2028, he is an attractive buy-low target.
Others of Note: Nathaniel Lowe (Free Agent), Rhys Hoskins (Free Agent), Paul Goldschmidt (Free Agent), Ryan Mountcastle (Trade Candidate), Ty France (Free Agent), Michael Toglia (Free Agent)
Second Basemen
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No. 1 Option: Ketel Marte (Trade Candidate)
Stats: 556 PA, 145 OPS+, .283/.376/.517, 56 XBH (28 HR), 72 RBI
WAR: 4.4
Marte will earn $64 million through 2028-2030 as part of a back-loaded six-year, $105 million extension he signed prior to the 2025 season, and with full 10-and-5 veto rights set to kick in early in the 2026 season, the D-backs are testing the waters on a potential trade this winter. He could be a sunk cost at the back end of that deal, but with 16.0 WAR and a 141 OPS+ over the past three seasons, he is one of the best offensive players in the sport right now.
No. 2 Option: Jazz Chisholm Jr. (Trade Candidate)
Stats: 531 PA, 125 OPS+, .242/.332/.481, 47 XBH (31 HR), 80 RBI
WAR: 4.2
The Yankees are not openly shopping Chisholm, but team president Brian Cashman confirmed the club is "open-minded" and entertaining offers. He was a 30/30 player in 2025 while earning an All-Star selection and winning AL Silver Slugger honors, but he is also a free agent after the 2026 season. The Yankees lineup is extremely left-handed, and flipping him could help bring some balance and maximize his value before he potentially walks in free agency.
No. 3 Option: Brendan Donovan (Trade Candidate)
Stats: 515 PA, 119 OPS+, .287/.353/.422, 42 XBH (10 HR), 50 RBI
WAR: 2.7
Donovan is as likely to be moved between now and Opening Day as any player in baseball, especially now that the Cardinals have already unloaded Willson Contreras and Sonny Gray. His defensive versatility and on-base skills make him a fit for almost any club, and his two remaining years of club control should help bring back a strong return.
Others of Note: Jake Cronenworth (Trade Candidate), Luis Rengifo (Free Agent), Willi Castro (Free Agent), Jose Iglesias (Free Agent), Brendan Rodgers (Free Agent)
Shortstops
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No. 1 Option: Bo Bichette (Free Agent)
Stats: 628 PA, 129 OPS+, .311/.357/.483, 63 XBH (18 HR), 94 RBI
WAR: 3.5
Bichette is one of baseball's best pure hitters, and he is also one of the youngest players on the market at 27 years old, but his poor defense at shortstop (-12 DRS, -13 OAA in 2025) has muddied his market. He is reportedly open to shifting to second base, which could broaden his list of suitors, but he might have to wait until Alex Bregman makes his free agency decision.
No. 2 Option: CJ Abrams (Trade Candidate)
Stats: 635 PA, 111 OPS+, .257/.315/.433, 59 XBH (19 HR), 60 RBI
WAR: 3.4
Abrams is arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter, and his salary is projected to climb from roughly the league minimum to $5.6 million as a result. The bigger question for the Nationals is whether they will be ready to contend again before he reaches free agency after the 2028 season. The Nationals are reportedly open to moving him as they shift course under new president of baseball operations Paul Toboni.
No. 3 Option: Isiah Kiner-Falefa (Free Agent)
Stats: 459 PA, 76 OPS+, .262/.297/.334, 25 XBH (2 HR), 40 RBI
WAR: 1.6
Kiner-Falefa started the 2025 season as Pittsburgh's primary shortstop, and ended it by appearing in 15 playoff games for the Blue Jays as a second baseman and pinch runner. He has averaged 504 plate appearances and 2.4 WAR over the past five seasons, despite posting a 83 OPS+ during that stretch, and his glove should at least win him a bench role.
Others of Note: Jorge Mateo (Free Agent), Orlando Arcia (Free Agent)
Third Basemen
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No. 1 Option: Alex Bregman (Free Agent)
Stats: 495 PA, 128 OPS+, .273/.360/.462, 46 XBH (18 HR), 62 RBI
WAR: 3.5
Bregman left two years and $80 million on the table when he opted out of his contract with the Red Sox, and while he might have a hard time matching that $40 million AAV, he should be able to secure a bigger overall guarantee. A reunion with the Red Sox still looks like the most likely outcome for the three-time All-Star, though the Cubs, Blue Jays and Tigers are also in the mix.
No. 2 Option: Eugenio Suárez (Free Agent)
Stats: 657 PA, 126 OPS+, .228/.298/.526, 77 XBH (49 HR), 118 RBI
WAR: 3.6
Suárez is one of the more confounding players on the market, as he is coming off a huge season at the plate, but did a lot of his damage during the first half before hitting .196/.267/.463 with 18 home runs after the All-Star break. The 34-year-old will likely be limited to a short-term deal, and there is a wide range of potential outcomes for his 2026 season.
No. 3 Option: Nolan Arenado (Trade Candidate)
Stats: 436 PA, 87 OPS+, .237/.289/.377, 31 XBH (12 HR), 52 RBI
WAR: 1.3
Arenado had the worst offensive season of his career in 2025, and given his batted-ball data and the fact that he turns 35 years old in April, it's unlikely a significant rebound is on the horizon. However, his contact skills, defense and veteran leadership still holds value, especially if the Cardinals are willing to absorb the bulk of his remaining contract to facilitate a deal.
Others of Note: Josh Jung (Trade Candidate), Gio Urshela (Free Agent), Andy Ibañez (Free Agent)
Corner Outfielders
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No. 1 Option: Kyle Tucker (Free Agent)
Stats: 597 PA, 143 OPS+, .266/.377/.464, 51 XBH (22 HR), 73 RBI
WAR: 4.6
Tucker is the best player on the market this winter, and while a $400 million deal becomes less and less likely as his list of potential suitors shrinks, he should still have no problem securing a $30-plus million AAV on a long-term deal of seven or more years. The list of players capable of a 30/30 season and a Gold Glove is a short one, and he brings a proven track record of production into his age-29 campaign.
No. 2 Option: Steven Kwan (Trade Candidate)
Stats: 693 PA, 96 OPS+, .272/.330/.374, 41 XBH (11 HR), 56 RBI
WAR: 3.7
With an $8.8 million projected salary in his second year of arbitration, Kwan is one step closer to pricing himself out of Cleveland. The 28-year-old is a four-time Gold Glove winner and an elite contact hitter who has piled up 16.5 WAR over four seasons, but the Guardians glaring need for more run production and perennial penny pinching still makes him a logical trade candidate.
No. 3 Option: Lars Nootbaar (Trade Candidate)
Stats: 583 PA, 95 OPS+, .234/.325/.361, 38 XBH (13 HR), 48 RBI
WAR: 1.3
With a 109 OPS+ over 1,962 plate appearances in the majors, Nootbaar has been productive when healthy, and he is capable of playing all three outfield spots. The 28-year-old is controllable through the 2027 season, giving him value beyond a one-year rental, while also making him an obvious trade chip for the rebuilding Cardinals.
Others of Note: Austin Hays (Free Agent), Miguel Andújar (Free Agent), Nick Castellanos (Trade Candidate), Max Kepler (Free Agent), Mike Tauchman (Free Agent)
Center Fielders
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No. 1 Option: Cody Bellinger (Free Agent)
Stats: 656 PA, 125 OPS+, .272/.334/.480, 59 XBH (29 HR), 98 RBI
WAR: 5.1
Bellinger spent the 2025 season playing primarily corner outfield for the Yankees, but he has 4,321.1 innings and strong career defensive metrics (8 DRS, 17 OAA) in center field. With a 125 OPS+ and 12.0 WAR over the last three years, the struggles that earned him a non-tender from the Dodgers in 2022 are now squarely in the rearview mirror.
No. 2 Option: Harrison Bader (Free Agent)
Stats: 501 PA, 117 OPS+, .277/.347/.449, 42 XBH (17 HR), 54 RBI
WAR: 3.9
Bader was an absolute steal on a one-year, $4.75 million deal a year ago, setting career-high marks for hits (124), doubles (24), home runs (17) and RBI (54) while also providing his usual standout defense and plus speed. The 31-year-old has also played in 289 games the last two seasons, helping to erase some of the injury concerns that plagued him early in his career.
No. 3 Option: Luis Robert (Trade Candidate)
Stats: 431 PA, 85 OPS+, .223/.297/.364, 26 XBH (14 HR), 53 RBI
WAR: 1.4
Robert is not far removed from a 38-homer, 5.3-WAR season in 2023, and while expecting that level of production again might be wishful thinking, he still has the tools to be an impact player. A change of scenery could do wonders after three straight 100-loss seasons for the White Sox, and with a $20 million club option that carries a reasonable $2 million buyout for next year, he is a low-risk, high-reward target.
Others of Note: Brenton Doyle (Trade Candidate), Chas McCormick (Free Agent)
Starting Pitchers
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No. 1 Option: RHP Freddy Peralta (Trade Candidate)
Stats: 33 GS, 2.70 ERA (3.64 FIP), 1.08 WHIP, 204 K, 176.2 IP
WAR: 5.5
Peralta is a free agent after the upcoming season and could be destined for a similar fate to Corbin Burnes, who the Brewers traded to the Orioles ahead of his final year of control. The 29-year-old enjoyed the best season of his career in 2025 and he is earning a team-friendly $8 million in 2026, but that's still enough to make him the fifth-highest paid player for a Milwaukee team "fretting" about payroll.
No. 2 Option: LHP Framber Valdez (Free Agent)
Stats: 31 GS, 3.66 ERA (3.37 FIP), 1.25 WHIP, 187 K, 192.0 IP
WAR: 3.8
Over the past four seasons, only Logan Webb (820.0) has shouldered a bigger workload than the 767.2 innings Valdez has pitched for the Astros, and that's not counting his significant postseason experience. He is roughly two years older than Dylan Cease, so it's unlikely he'll match the seven-year, $210 million pact he received from the Blue Jays, but a similar AAV on a shorter deal is possible.
No. 3 Option: LHP Ranger Suárez (Free Agent)
Stats: 26 GS, 3.20 ERA (3.21 FIP), 1.22 WHIP, 151 K, 157.1 IP
WAR: 4.7
Since the 2021 campaign, Suárez ranks sixth among all pitchers with 17.7 WAR, trailing only Zack Wheeler (27.6), Logan Webb (21.5), Max Fried (20.6), Corbin Burnes (18.5) and Tarik Skubal (18.0). He relies more on his ability to generate groundballs than on miss bats, making him a good fit in front of a strong defensive infield.
No. 4 Option: LHP MacKenzie Gore (Trade Candidate)
Stats: 30 GS, 4.17 ERA (3.74 FIP), 1.35 WHIP, 185 K, 159.2 IP
WAR: 3.0
Gore is almost certainly going to be playing elsewhere by the end of the 2026 season, it's just a question of whether he will be traded this offseason or at the trade deadline. With two years of club control remaining and Scott Boras as his agent, the clock is ticking on his time with the Nationals, and his ability to miss bats holds significant appeal.
No. 5 Option: RHP Tatsuya Imai (Free Agent)
Stats (Japan): 24 GS, 10-5, 1.92 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 178 K, 163.2 IP
Imai has until Jan. 2 to come to terms on a contract before his posting window closes, so his future will be decided shortly. Questions about his undersized 5'11", 154-pound frame are easy to overlook thanks to his high-octane fastball, plus splitter and strong track record in Japan.
Others of Note: RHP Zac Gallen (Free Agent), LHP Kris Bubic (Trade Candidate), RHP Mitch Keller (Trade Candidate), RHP Brady Singer (Trade Candidate), RHP Lucas Giolito (Free Agent), RHP Chris Bassitt (Free Agent), RHP Justin Verlander (Free Agent), RHP Tyler Mahle (Free Agent), RHP Zack Littell (Free Agent), RHP Max Scherzer (Free Agent)
Right-Handed Relief Pitchers
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No. 1 Option: Tyler Kinley (Free Agent)
Stats: 73 G, 14 HLD, 3.96 ERA (3.69 FIP), 73 K, 72.2 IP
WAR: 1.4
Kinley was virtually unhittable following a summer trade to the Braves, posting a 0.72 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and six holds in 24 appearances, and it was somewhat surprising to see Atlanta decline a $5.5 million club option. The 34-year-old had 20 saves during his six seasons with the Rockies, so he has high-leverage experience, though he profiles best as a setup option on a contender.
No. 2 Option: Michael Kopech (Free Agent)
Stats: 14 G, 6 HLD, 2.45 ERA (4.50 FIP), 12 K, 11.0 IP
WAR: 0.2
Kopech could not get healthy in 2025, scattering 14 appearances around multiple trips to the injured list, but few pitchers in baseball can match his pure arm talent. With a fastball that regularly touches triple-digits and a swing-and-miss cutter, he closed games for the Dodgers down the stretch in 2024 and logged a 1.13 ERA and 10.9 K/9 with six saves in 24 appearances.
No. 3 Option: Seranthony Domínguez (Free Agent)
Stats: 67 G, 20 HLD, 3.16 ERA (3.47 FIP), 79 K, 62.2 IP
WAR: 0.5
The Blue Jays gave up a solid pitching prospect in Juaron Watts-Brown to acquire Domínguez from the Orioles as a rental at the trade deadline, and he tallied two wins and a hold with a 3.18 ERA in 11.1 innings during their playoff run. The 31-year-old has a 3.50 ERA and 10.6 K/9 with 40 saves and 78 holds in 322 career appearances, and could secure a multi-year deal.
Others of Note: Pierce Johnson (Free Agent), Shelby Miller (Free Agent), Scott Barlow (Free Agent), Jakob Junis (Free Agent), Kirby Yates (Free Agent), Tommy Kahnle (Free Agent), Ryne Stanek (Free Agent), Rafael Montero (Free Agent)
Left-Handed Relief Pitchers
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No. 1 Option: JoJo Romero (Trade Candidate)
Stats: 65 G, 24 HLD, 2.07 ERA (3.28 FIP), 55 K, 61.0 IP
WAR: 1.7
Over the last two seasons, Romero is one of only nine left-handed relievers with at least 100 appearances and a sub-3.00 ERA, and he gained some valuable late-inning experience down the stretch last year after Ryan Helsley and Phil Maton were traded at the deadline. Over the final two months, he had a 2.10 ERA with eight saves and eight holds in 24 games, and he is a logical trade chip for the Cardinals with free agency coming after the 2026 season.
No. 2 Option: Justin Wilson (Free Agent)
Stats: 61 G, 19 HLD, 3.35 ERA (2.95 FIP), 57 K, 48.1 IP
WAR: 0.3
Only Aroldis Chapman (863) has more career appearances among active left-handed relievers than Wilson, who has a 3.59 ERA and 9.9 K/9 in 648 games while pitching for seven different teams. He served as one of the primary setup options ahead of Chapman in the Boston bullpen, and is still going strong entering his age-38 season.
No. 3 Option: Danny Coulombe (Free Agent)
Stats: 55 G, 9 HLD, 2.30 ERA (3.30 FIP), 43 K, 43.0 IP
WAR: 1.4
Coulombe had a 1.16 ERA in 40 appearances for the Orioles before he was traded to the Rangers at the deadline. He struggled to a 5.25 ERA and 1.67 WHIP after the trade, due in part to his walk rate spiking from 7.4 to 12.5 percent, but he still offers solid value potential on a one-year deal heading into his age-36 campaign.
Others of Note: Andrew Chafin (Free Agent), Taylor Rogers (Free Agent), Jalen Beeks (Free Agent), Brent Suter (Free Agent)
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