MLB's financial landscape could look very different in November than it does when the next collective bargaining agreement is in place.
While we don't know whether there will be a salary cap in the next CBA, we do know that it's going to be business as usual for the first few weeks of the offseason, until the owners lock the players out when the current agreement expires on Dec. 1 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Let's take a look at one player every team should re-sign this offseason, even if we aren't necessarily sure how it will affect them moving forward.
AL East
1 of 6
Tampa Bay Rays: Nick Martinez
Rays ace Drew Rasmussen called Nick Martinez "the best teammate ever" back in July when he earned his first career All-Star Game selection.
On top of earning love from his new clubhouse, Martinez was damn good on the mound in 2026. Across 180 innings, Martinez went 15-6 with a 3.10 ERA for the eventual AL Champions.
Martinez will be 36. We know the Rays have typically been more inclined to churn things than to retain more expensive veterans. Martinez is ineligible for the qualifying offer, which isn't ideal. The Rays would badly miss his presence—both on and off the mound—if they don't retain him.
New York Yankees: David Bednar
You always run the risk of going to the well one too many times when signing relievers, especially to multi-year deals. Bednar was tremendous in his first full season in pinstripes, racking up 35 saves and posting a 2.47 ERA across 64 games.
Bednar will pitch next season at 32 years old, but he should have no issue getting at least three years in free agency. The Yankees would be wise to try to retain the anchor of their bullpen.
Boston Red Sox: Sonny Gray
Given that he was unhappy with being pulled after 4.2 innings in Game 2 of the ALWCS, Gray might decline his $30 million club option for 2027. Even if he loved his season in Boston, opting out and returning to the open market this offseason might be the best business decision for Gray.
He may not make $30 million in 2027 if he opts out, but after going 18-5 with a 2.72 ERA in 169 innings this past year, Gray can get a larger overall guarantee. Gray is better than Merrill Kelly, who landed a two-year, $40 million deal last winter as he entered his age-37 season. Gray will be 37 in November.
If Gray opts out, the Red Sox will owe him a $5 million buyout. They may not be inclined to re-sign him on top of that, but even with Ranger Suárez, Garrett Crochet, Payton Tolle and Brayan Bello already in the fold for next season, the Red Sox would really miss Gray if they let him go.
Baltimore Orioles: Trevor Rogers
The Orioles elected not to trade Trevor Rogers prior to the trade deadline, which makes you think that president of baseball operations Mike Elias would like to retain the lefty.
For the O's, the best arrangement might be for Rogers to accept the one-year, $23.15 million qualifying offer. That would give them more time to evaluate Rogers, who has shown flashes of greatness but has not been able to sustain them. For example, Rogers disappointed in the first half, posting a 4.48 ERA over 17 starts. He was much better after the All-Star Break, finishing with a 3.52 ERA in 13 second-half starts.
The more complicated scenario for Baltimore would be deciding what to do if Rogers—who turns 29 in November—declines the QO.
Toronto Blue Jays: N/A
42-year-old Max Scherzer, 37-year-old George Springer, 37-year-old Patrick Corbin and Shane Bieber—who has made 20 total starts over the last three seasons—are among the free agents the Blue Jays have this offseason.
Considering they responded to a Game 7 World Series loss in 2025 by going 79-83 in 2026, there isn't really a free agent worth re-signing for general manager Ross Atkins.
AL Central
2 of 6
Cleveland Guardians: Austin Hedges
Because the Guardians don't sign many free agents or keep players into their last year of arbitration eligibility, it's slim pickings here.
Austin Hedges has 93 defensive runs saved in his career, which is why he's played 12 years in the majors despite being a .190 hitter. If the Guardians are able to bring back Hedges to be the 1B catcher behind Patrick Bailey, that would make sense.
Chicago White Sox: Sean Newcomb
Sean Newcomb signed a one-year, $4.5 million deal with the White Sox last offseason.
That investment by general manager Chris Getz proved to be one of the better moves of the offseason, as Newcomb made 60 regular-season appearances and posted a 3.09 ERA. For good measure, he pitched to a 2.57 ERA over seven postseason frames.
It will take more than $4.5 million to bring Newcomb back, but he pitched well enough that the White Sox should want to retain him.
Minnesota Twins: A.J. Minter
The Twins acquired A.J. Minter from the New York Mets before the trade deadline. The veteran lefty pitched to a 2.78 ERA in 25 games for Minnesota. Overall, he posted a 2.56 ERA in 48 games in 2026.
Tom Pohlad is trying to change his family's reputation as the control person of the Twins. Bringing back a 33-year-old lefty reliever won't do that, but it would be a small gesture showing the organization is putting its best foot forward to compete in 2027.
Detroit Tigers: Drew Anderson
No, Tarik Skubal was not eligible here.
After playing in Japan and South Korea from 2022 to 2025, Anderson returned stateside in 2026 on a one-year, $7 million deal with the Tigers. Across 49 games and 11 starts, Anderson posted a 3.67 ERA.
The Tigers could pick up his $10 million club option for 2027, although there is no buyout if they decline it. Scott Harris and the Tigers could also decline the option and try to bring Anderson back at a lower price as a swingman.
Kansas City Royals: Tony Gonsolin
With Carlos Estévez ($11.1 million), Jonathan India ($8 million) and Matt Strahm ($7.5 million) coming off the books, the Royals will have some money to work with as president of baseball operations J.J. Picollo looks to retool the team after consecutive disappointing seasons.
You could definitely argue that there aren't any impending free agents Kansas City should bring back. However, the $2.5 million club option on Tony Gonsolin is intriguing, even though he made just one appearance for the team before an allergic reaction ended his season.
Gonsolin hasn't been particularly durable, but he went 26-6 with a 2.51 ERA in 59 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2019 to 2022. That upside is still intriguing.
AL West
3 of 6
Houston Astros: Bryan Abreu
After posting a 2.30 ERA in 275 games between 2022 and 2025, Bryan Abreu seemed headed for a monster contract this offseason. Unfortunately, that likely won't happen after he posted a 3.73 ERA in 66 games this past season.
However, Abreu was lights-out after the All-Star Game, pitching to a 1.71 ERA in 32 appearances. He's still only 29 years old and has a long track record of success in Houston. Whether it's a one-year, prove-it deal or a relatively lucrative multi-year deal, the Astros are the best spot for Abreu.
Texas Rangers: Joc Pederson
For as disastrous as Joc Pederson's first season with the Rangers was, the veteran slugger bounced back in the second and final season of a $37 million deal. He should really only play against right-handed pitching, but he's excellent against righties, as shown by his 25 homers and .834 OPS in 2026.
Pederson and the Rangers have a mutual $18.5 million option for a third season to decide on. Typically, mutual options get declined by at least one side. It would be wise for the Rangers to find a way to keep Pederson in the fold.
Seattle Mariners: Randy Arozarena
It kind of feels like the Mariners will give Randy Arozarena a qualifying offer and then be happy to collect the draft-pick compensation when he departs in free agency.
That may prove to be the best decision for the franchise. While Arozarena posted an .865 OPS in his contract year, he produced a .761 OPS between 2022 and 2024. There's risk in paying guys after their contract seasons.
That said, it's been historically difficult for the Mariners to attract impact offensive talent to T-Mobile Park, which isn't hitter-friendly. Arozarena was better on the road this past year, but still posted a .788 OPS in home games, so maybe president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto should think about trying to retain the former ALCS MVP.
Athletics: N/A
The Athletics will likely pray that Luis Severino declines his $22 million player option for 2026 after he posted a 4.43 ERA in 41 starts over two seasons in Sacramento.
Other than Severino, things should be pretty easy this offseason. The A's will decline Jeff McNeil's $15.8 million club option and Jeffrey Springs' $15 million club option. Other veteran free agents like Mark Leiter Jr. and Jonah Heim will be easy decisions not to bring back.
Los Angeles Angels: N/A
Unless you're tempted to pick up Robert Stephenson's $2.5 million club option—which the Angels likely won't be after he made 12 appearances in three seasons in Anaheim—there's not much to pick from here.
The good news is that there is new ownership with Stan Kroenke. He'll now get to put his desired president of baseball operations and manager in place. There's really nowhere to go but up for a franchise that's coming off its 11th consecutive losing season.
NL East
4 of 6
Atlanta Braves: Mauricio Dubón
Not only did Mauricio Dubón drive in 73 runs after being acquired from the Astros, but he also saw time at shortstop, second base, third base, left field and center field. He was particularly impressive at shortstop, where he posted one defensive run saved and five outs above average.
It will likely take a multi-year deal to bring back the 32-year-old, but the Braves would badly miss Dubón's versatility if they let him walk in free agency.
Philadelphia Phillies: Edmundo Sosa
In parts of five seasons, Edmundo Sosa has established himself as one of the best utility players in Phillies history. He can mash left-handed pitching and plays shortstop, second base, third base and left field. Plus, he's a tremendous person.
It's unclear if the Phillies will re-sign the 30-year-old. There are a lot of moving parts in their infield, with uncertainty about Trea Turner's position and both Alec Bohm and Luis Arraez set to become free agents. That could mean it makes even more sense to retain Sosa, although top prospect Aidan Miller is looming and Bryce Harper is returning to first base, so there are only so many seats.
Still, if the Phillies don't bring Sosa back, they'll miss his flexibility and clubhouse presence.
Miami Marlins: N/A
The Marlins will certainly exercise Sandy Alcantara's $21 million club option after he led baseball with 214 innings pitched this past season. They could still trade the former NL Cy Young Award winner, who is set to become a free agent after 2027.
Their only other real free agent is Pete Fairbanks, who struggled with a 6.31 ERA in 46 games for the Fish in 2026. It's fair to say they won't be bringing Fairbanks back after giving the veteran reliever $13 million in free agency last offseason.
Washington Nationals: N/A
Miles Mikolas was released by the Nationals in August after posting a 5.82 ERA across 116 innings. He would have been their only free agent this offseason.
President of baseball operations Paul Toboni will still be plenty busy this offseason. Most notably, he'll have to decide whether the Nats listen to offers on CJ Abrams and James Wood, who are two and three years away from free agency, respectively.
New York Mets: N/A
The Mets overturned so much of their roster last winter that their only real free agent decision to make will be whether Bo Bichette opts out of the final two seasons of his three-year, $126 million contract.
Even in what is projected to be a weak free-agent market, Bichette might opt into his second year of this deal after posting a 97 OPS+ in his first season with the Mets.
If Bichette opts out, you can definitely make the case that the Mets should try to retain him. Then again, he doesn't really have a position and underwhelmed for a last-place team in 2026. Re-signing him if he opts out might turn out to be chasing your losses for president of baseball operations David Stearns.
NL Central
5 of 6
Milwaukee Brewers: Jake Bauers
Considering Andrew Vaughn has one remaining year of arbitration eligibility, the Brewers may feel comfortable letting Jake Bauers walk after a career year in which he won NLCS MVP.
But if you're just looking at the greatest season in franchise history and who it would make sense to try to keep, it's hard to imagine the Brewers not being worse without a guy who posted a 140 OPS+ in 2026. Of course, every year the Brewers lose an impact player; the show just seems to go on.
Still, it feels like this might be a guy the Brewers should try to retain on a two-year deal.
Chicago Cubs: Seiya Suzuki
Seiya Suzuki just completed a five-year, $85 million deal. Based on how he performed in his contract season, Suzuki should get another five-campaign pact, this time with a larger total value.
Again, the Cubs could let him walk if he declines the qualifying offer. But like, this is the Chicago Cubs. Suzuki posted an .823 OPS in five seasons on the north side. Even if he could eventually wind up at DH, why would the Cubs not bring back Suzuki and keep him in the lineup with Pete Crow-Armstrong and Alex Bregman?
Pittsburgh Pirates: Brandon Lowe
At the very least, the Pirates should extend a one-year, $23.15 million qualifying offer to Brandon Lowe, who homered 35 times and drove in 96 runs after being acquired from the Rays.
The Buccos could let Lowe walk in free agency and collect draft-pick compensation if he declines the qualifying offer, which he almost certainly will. But with likely limited time remaining with Paul Skenes in Pittsburgh, the smarter move would be to give Lowe a lucrative multi-year deal and build a playoff team around the former NL Cy Young Award winner.
St. Louis Cardinals: N/A
Ryne Stanek is the only notable free agent for the Cardinals this offseason, which shouldn't be surprising, given that president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom turned over the roster last offseason.
Stanek did log 70 games for the RedBirds in 2026, but posted a 4.52 FIP during that stretch, so he's unlikely to return.
Cincinnati Reds: Emilio Pagán
Even though he'll pitch next season at 36, Emilio Pagán should be someone the Reds try to re-sign. Pagán has a 3.07 ERA in 115 games over the past two seasons, despite pitching his home games at the bandbox of Great American Ball Park.
Eugenio Suárez's second go-round with the Reds didn't go as planned, so they'll surely decline their half of a $16 million mutual option for 2027.
NL West
6 of 6
Los Angeles Dodgers: Tarik Skubal
The Dodgers will be the odds-on favorite to sign Tarik Skubal this offseason, but it shouldn't be viewed as fait accompli that the two-time AL Cy Young Award winner will stay in Los Angeles.
If Skubal—a Scott Boras client—is intent on signing before the lockout, will the Dodgers feel comfortable giving him a record-setting deal without knowing the future financial landscape? Is owner Mark Walter in a position to doll out a megadeal this offseason?
Obviously, if all things are equal, the Dodgers should re-sign Tarik Skubal. They'll be much worse without him. But this is a team that's let Manny Machado, Corey Seager, Max Scherzer and Trea Turner walk in free agency in the past, so it's not as though it would be unprecedented for Skubal to turn out to be just a short-term Dodger.
San Diego Padres: Michael King
President of baseball operations A.J. Preller is always active. He's going to have his work cut out for him as he tries to rebuild basically the entire starting rotation in San Diego this offseason.
His first move should be to give Michael King—who has a 3.15 ERA in parts of three seasons since being acquired from the Yankees—a long-term deal. He'll likely opt out of the final two seasons of a three-year, $75 million deal. King will be ineligible for the qualifying offer after receiving it last offseason, so the Padres will be left empty-handed if the 31-year-old departs as a free agent.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Michael Soroka
Long-time ace Zac Gallen will surely depart after he posted a 6.07 ERA in 2026. But another veteran arm—righty Michael Soroka—is someone the Snakes should aim to re-sign. He posted a 3.41 ERA over 116 innings in 2026.
Merrill Kelly will be 38 in 2027. Eduardo Rodríguez had a great 2026, but you never know what you'll get from him year to year. He's also been injured relatively frequently in his career. It's unclear whether Brandon Pfaadt can replicate the success he had after returning from Triple-A.
This is not a team that's going to get through next season with only five starters, so bringing back a guy like Soroka would be wise.
San Francisco Giants: N/A
Technically, there's not a great answer here. However, if the Giants can find a way for him to coexist with Marcelo Mayer and Casey Schmitt, it would be interesting for them to reunite with Luis Arraez. Before being traded to the Phillies, Arraez was hitting .324, including .361 at Oracle Park.
Colorado Rockies: N/A
Kyle Freeland, Jose Quintana, Tomoyuki Sugano and Jordan Romano will all become free agents. Of that veteran pitching quartet, are any of them worth bringing back to the 104-loss Rockies?
