In the longest winter of MLB free agency, the market moves slowly, with qualifying offers and late‑season signings shaping rosters.
Qualifying Offers and Accepted Deals
The league extended 13 qualifying offers this year. Four players accepted:
- Trent Grisham (New York Yankees, outfielder) accepted a $23.1 million offer.
- Shota Imanaga (Chicago Cubs, starter) took a $20.7 million offer.
- Gleyber Torres (Detroit Tigers, second baseman) agreed to a $19.9 million offer.
- Brandon Woodruff (Milwaukee Brewers, starter) accepted a $19.8 million offer.
These contracts will keep the players with their current teams for the 2026 season.
Notable Free‑Agent Moves
Several players switched teams through free agency:
- Dylan Cease signed with the Toronto Blue Jays.
- Ryan Helsley joined the Baltimore Orioles.
- Devin Williams signed with the New York Mets.
Meanwhile, two players returned to their original clubs:
- Josh Naylor (Seattle Mariners, first baseman) re‑signed.
- Emilio Pagán (Cincinnati Reds, reliever) returned to Cincinnati.
Key Player Profiles
Pete Alonso
- Position: 1B
- Team: New York Mets
- Declined a $24 million player option.
- 2025 line: .272/.347/.524, 38 HR, 126 RBI, 162 games.
- Ranked third in majors in doubles (41) and eighth in homers.
Luis Arráez
- Position: 1B
- Team: San Diego Padres
- 2025 line: .292/.327/.392, 8 HR, 61 RBI, 154 games.
- 139 of 181 hits were singles.
- Lowest strikeout percentage in majors (3.1 %).
Harrison Bader
- Position: OF
- Teams: Minnesota Twins / Philadelphia Phillies
- 2025 line: .277/.347/.449, 17 HR, 54 RBI, 146 games.
- Career highs in hits (124) and doubles (24).
Chris Bassitt
- Position: RHP
- Team: Toronto Blue Jays
- 2025 line: 3.96 ERA, 166 K, 52 BB, 170.1 IP.
- WHIP 1.327, tied for ninth‑worst.
Bo Bichette
- Position: SS
- Team: Toronto Blue Jays
- 2024 line: .311/.357/.483, 18 HR, 94 RBI, 139 games.
- Second‑most hits (181) and second‑best batting average.
Alex Bregman
- Position: 3B
- Team: Boston Red Sox
- Declined $25 million option.
- 2025 line: .273/.360/.462, 18 HR, 62 RBI, 114 games.
- Tied for ninth among third basemen in outs above average (+3).
Edwin Díaz
- Position: RHP
- Team: New York Mets
- Opted out of a two‑year, $38 million deal.
- 2025 line: 1.63 ERA, 98 K, 21 BB, 66.1 IP.
- 28 of 31 save chances converted.
Pete Fairbanks
- Position: RHP
- Team: Tampa Bay Rays
- Declined a $7 million club option.
- 2025 line: 2.83 ERA, 59 K, 18 BB, 60.1 IP.
- 27 saves in 32 chances.
Zac Gallen
- Position: RHP
- Team: Arizona Diamondbacks
- Declined qualifying offer.
- 2025 line: 4.83 ERA, 175 K, 66 BB, 192 IP.
- Tied for fourth‑most homers allowed (31).
Adolis García
- Position: OF
- Team: Texas Rangers
- Not tendered a contract.
- 2023 line: 39 HR, .836 OPS.
- 2024 line: .227/.271/.394, 19 HR, 75 RBI, 135 games.
Lucas Giolito
- Position: RHP
- Team: Boston Red Sox
- 2025 line: 3.41 ERA, 121 K, 56 BB, 145 IP.
- Best ERA since 2019.
Rhys Hoskins
- Position: 1B
- Team: Milwaukee Brewers
- 2025 line: .237/.332/.416, 12 HR, 43 RBI, 90 games.
- Tied for 11th among first basemen in outs above average (+1).
Players in Japan Seeking MLB Contracts
- Tatsuya Imai (NPB, 29) has until Jan. 2 to sign.
- Munetaka Murakami (NPB, 25) has until Dec. 22.
- Ryan O’Hearn (NPB, 32) has until Jan. 4.
- Kazuma Okamoto (NPB, 29) has until Jan. 4.
- Kona Takahashi (NPB, 28) has until Jan. 4.
Key Takeaways
- The MLB free‑agency market resembles a marathon, with activity spread throughout the winter.
- Four qualifying‑offer recipients—Grisham, Imanaga, Torres, Woodruff—remain with their teams for 2026.
- Several high‑profile players, such as Cease, Helsley, and Williams, have signed with new clubs, while Naylor and Pagán returned.
- A mix of veteran starters, relievers, and position players are moving, and several Japanese stars have deadlines to join MLB rosters.
The season’s roster shuffle is still unfolding, and teams will continue to sign, re‑sign, or release players as the market evolves.
